The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Johannesburg wishes to indicate that COSATU formed part of the 16th Regional Conference held at Cedarwoods Conference Centre from 3 to 5 December 2025.

COSATU formed part of the collective of the electoral commission that observed the process and indeed indicated to the delegates present that the elections were run fairly. It therefore comes as a surprise that this same conference and its elected leadership are now facing claims that seek to destabilise the democratic process that took place.

The leadership that emerged is that of the wish and mandate of the voting delegates that were in attendance.

We call upon members of our MDM structure to remain united behind the democratically elected ANC leadership collective in Greater Johannesburg. We confirm that the election process was free and fair.

We hope that the ANC’s internal interventions and processes will be fair, transparent and in line with organisational principles, devoid of narrow factional motivations.

As COSATU we will continue to work in the Alliance with all its partners as we continue to focus on the core pillars of the National Democratic Revolution.

We call for unity in defence of Democratic Centralism and the NDR.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Amos Monyela (Provincial Chair)

Mobile: 079 493 5002