They are nipping in the bud any notion of merging state and internal politics. They are now flexing their muscles by threatening a strike over privatisation. This is starting to happen, with the Treatment Action Campaign, the people's budget, the Electricity Crisis Committee, the Campaign against Military Spending. A regional official of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union says the fact that Cosatu is strengthening its alliances within the community means that its position in civil society is deepening, which means that its position in the alliance will be strengthened. The plot issue has given Cosatu leverage to criticise, engage, and become a stronger partner in the alliance.
Many workers feel the tussle for leadership is real and serious.
They expect that politicking, which Cosatu members will be a part of, will accelerate from branch to provincial level right up to the national conference next year. Last year the alliance weathered shaky relations between the ANC and the union federation. But this year Cosatu is entrenching itself deeply within civil society and sending out a message that it won't be overlooked as a junior partner that will toe the line. Although Cosatu called off a national strike set for March over labour relations amendments, it has now become hardline and is planning a national strike over the government's plan to steam-roll privatisation. Now, with the plot paranoia, battle lines are being drawn, and affiliates are becoming bolder.