The ANC has accused those who prevented President Jacob Zuma from speaking at union federation Cosatu’s main Workers’ Day rally of reducing the significance of the day by their "unacceptable behaviour". "As a result, the important issues of workers’ rights, the advancement of the living wage and decent work were overshadowed by narrow factional interests," ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said on Tuesday. Speeches at the official rally, held in Bloemfontein on Monday, were cancelled after workers heckled and booed Zuma and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini. ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte and chairwoman Baleka Mbete were also heckled at rallies held in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal respectively. ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa was given a warm reception in Mpumalanga where he addressed the provincial Workers’ Day rally. Cosatu has officially endorsed Ramaphosa to take over as president of the ANC. In April, the union federation — which was among Zuma’s main backers as he ascended t...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.