Angry Cosatu delegates prevent Mantashe from speaking

Monday was day one of the federation four-day national congress.

The ANC, which is an alliance partner to Cosatu, was expected to deliver the message of support through the national chairperson.

However, workers made their feelings toward the government party clear.

As Mantashe approached the stage to speak, delegates approached the stage singing "Asinamali" (we have no money) and "Hamba Gwede”  (leave Gwede).

Mantashe was forced to leave the stage without addressing the workers.

The angry workers accused the ANC of failing to deliver on its promises of a 6.5% salary increase over three years.

In August, the government raised its wage offer from 2% to 3% for public servants, but the unions have continuously rejected the offer.

Workers vowed that no ANC leaders will be allowed to address them until they deliver on their promises.

Mantashe was the second ANC leader to be booed off stage by angry workers at a Cosatu event.

Earlier this year, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa had to be whisked away from a Cosatu Workers' Day rally in North West after protesting miners interrupted proceedings.

Speaking to the media shortly after the incident, Mantashe said he refuses to believe workers are rejecting the ANC.

"The bargaining council is not managed in Luthuli House or by the ANC. I listen to workers, I hear them, I sat down and ate with the delegates and nobody hit me there. I don't know that workers are rejecting the ANC, that is what you can conclude as a journalist, but rejection and actually raising the issue with the ANC is not the same.

“If they were rejecting the ANC, they would in fact not invite us here. We are invited here, and that is not rejection. If they want to disrupt the speech of the ANC, that is a different matter, they are making a statement and we must listen to that statement," said Mantashe.

Mantashe believes he will still be allowed to address the delegates.

"I am here to address the congress, we are invited, I am invited to address the congress. I will talk to the delegates who don't want me to speak, I am here not in a foreign land, I am in my federation."

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