Anna Majavu and Alex Matlala

Anna Majavu and Alex Matlala

Cosatu in the Eastern Cape is at loggerheads with the ANC after refusing to endorse the ANC's top two provincial list candidates for the premiership.

"We are not endorsing Mahlubandile Qwase [number one on the list] or Pemmy Majodina [number two]," Cosatu Eastern Cape provincial secretary Xola Phakathi said yesterday.

Instead, Cosatu supports SACP treasurer and MEC for economic affairs and tourism, Phumulo Masualle, who is number three on the list.

Cosatu was angered last year when the ANC appointed Mbulelo Sogoni instead of Masualle as premier after axing Nosimo Balindlela, who has since joined the Congress of the People.

Sogoni is on the fifth position on the provincial list.

ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu denies that the party is clashing with Cosatu, saying the ANC's "internal processes" will decide who gets to be the new premier.

Cosatu in the Western Cape is likely to endorse current premier Lynne Brown, number two on the provincial list, as its preferred candidate next week, ahead of provincial chairperson Mcebisi Skwatsha.

But in other provinces, Cosatu is toeing the ANC line.