COSATU, SACP warn ANC to stick to plans to reconfigure tripartite alliance

JOHANNESBURG - Union federation COSATU and the South African Communist Party (SACP) have warned the African National Congress (ANC) to stick to plans to reconfigure the tripartite alliance as the general elections draw closer.

SACP and COSATU have often hit out at the governing party, accusing it of excluding the alliance partners from key policy decisions in government.

Despite reports of tensions within the tripartite alliance over the matter, COSATU and the SACP have again backed the ANC as it prepares to contest what’s believed to be the most difficult elections since 1994.

Calls for the reconfiguration of the alliance have been on the table for several years.

The SACP previously threatened to pull its support for the ANC if it failed to include it and COSATU in policy decisions.

The reconfiguration of the alliance includes being consulted on who is hired or fired from the Cabinet.

SACP spokesperson, Alex Mashilo, said they’re making headway after being included in the drawing up of the ANC’s election manifesto.

"We cannot jump to the issue of leadership representation if we do not deal with the agenda that the leaders will be implementing."

COSATU spokesperson, Matthew Parks, said it was a work in progress.

"We did agree that all of us are going to focus on elections right now but it’s something we’ll need to put further detail on after the elections, once the dust has settled, so to speak."

The backing of COSATU and the SACP is crucial amid predictions the ANC could dip below 50% when the country votes on 29 May.