AFRICAN National Congress secretary-general Gwede Mantashe gave the ruling party’s position today on the weekend expulsion of metalworkers’ union Numsa from the Cosatu federation, calling it “disappointing and tragic.”

The former mineworkers’ leader said that the ANC view had always been to support Cosatu in its historic mission to consolidate and advance worker unity.

“As an organisation we will resist any temptation to engage in the current dispute characterised by mudslinging and insults against individuals or components of the tripartite alliance.

“We reaffirm our position that the expulsion of Numsa from the federation is bad for Cosatu itself, it is bad for the ANC, bad for the alliance, the progressive forces, as well as for society in general.”

Mr Mantashe noted that the ANC had set up a task team headed by deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to meet Cosatu affiliates to mediate and to address challenges facing the federation.

It recommended that Numsa reverse its decision to extend its scope beyond its identified industry and subject itself to the discipline, principles and regulations of the federation.

The task team also advised Cosatu to be sensitive to the political implications of the case facing its general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, who was charged with having a sexual relationship with a junior member of staff in his workplace.

Mr Mantashe said that the ANC did not believe that the challenges facing the federation were insurmountable or differences irreconcilable.

“Allowing a split in the federation can only help the historic enemies of the alliance from both the left and right of the political spectrum,” he stressed.

Numsa is unlikely to be moved by the ANC appeal since its general secretary Irvin Jim told a press conference at the weekend that Mr Mantashe should “look for the nearest cliff and jump.”

Eight Cosatu affiliates that back the Numsa stance held a press conference yesterday, attacking the federation’s current leadership.

They suspended with immediate effect “our participation and co-operation in Cosatu boardroom/palace politics” and gave notice of a “mass programme in every corner of this country to mobilise workers to demand that” a special Cosatu national congress take place.