THE Congress of South African Trade Unions has asked President Jacob Zuma to remain in office until 2019.

THE Congress of South African Trade Unions has asked President Jacob Zuma to remain in office until 2019.

This means Zuma would also remain president of the ANC until the party's elective conference in 2017.

Cosatu secretary-general Zwelin-zima Vavi said on hearing that Zuma wanted only one five-year term, the labour federation discussed its concerns with him and urged him to take a second term.

"The issue of a succession plan in the ANC does not even arise.

"We know that the president of the ANC once raised his desire to serve only one term and we have engaged with him on that issue.

"He is not going to be a one-term president and he will run the full course of the journey. It's two terms and no discussions about it."

Vavi told a media briefing following the labour federation's two-day central executive committee meeting that Cosatu was pleased with Zuma's leadership in the ANC and government.

He said Zuma's leadership means Cosatu would go to its congress in September "far more united" than before. "We will go there and have peace and focus on the real issues.

"We have closed that chapter of divisions in the federation."

Vavi also said Cosatu was confident that under Zuma, ministers would now "no longer be allowed" to determine policy.

"We are the policy makers in the alliance and the government implements. The government doesn't lead anymore. And I hear people talking about Zuma being a stooge of people in Luthuli [House], that's exactly how it should be."

l For the full podcast of Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi's media briefing go to www.sowetan.co.za