Cosatu: ANC leading in KZN
2004-04-07 15:34
Durban - The African National Congress will take more than 50% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal on April 14, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi predicted in Durban on Wednesday.
He said members of Cosatu's leadership, including its president Willie Madisha, were being deployed in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape in an effort to boost ANC support in the two provinces. The ANC does not enjoy majority support in the provinces.
"We have done our homework well this time round to make sure that people vote for the ANC," Vavi said.
More money had been spent on polling and a great number of people had been reached during campaigns.
"That is why we believe the ANC won't even need an alliance to govern this province," he said.
Alliance
KwaZulu-Natal is currently run by a coalition of the ANC, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Democratic Alliance.
Vavi described an alliance between the IFP and Democratic Alliance in the province as a "marriage of convenience".
"These parties serve entirely different constituencies, the DA for big business, IFP mostly poor rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal.
"Yet no one can serve the lion and the sheep at the same time," he said.
Vavi called on employers, especially in the retail and agricultural sectors, to give their employees time off to vote.
Farm workers
"Cosatu has heard reports that some retail and farm workers have been threatened with disciplinary action if they fail to report on time on voting day. This is outrageous. April 14 is a public holiday," he said.
He said if any workers experienced problems with their bosses on April 14, they should report the matter to Cosatu's offices.
He appealed to everyone to vote for the ANC saying it was the only way to protect the rights of workers.
- SAPA