Sharp divisions have emerged within Cosatu over whether the federation should contest elections jointly with the SACP.

While Cosatu has said it would decide at its national congress next year whether to join forces with the SACP, Sowetan has established that teachers' union Sadtu wants Cosatu to stay in the ANC-led alliance. "Most Sadtu members want Cosatu to contest elections with the ANC. They want Cosatu to remain in the ANC-led alliance," said a Sadtu official.

Sadtu was the first to throw its support behind Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as ANC president.

However, a Nehawu official said some Cosatu affiliates want the federation to break away from the alliance if Ramaphosa is not elected ANC president in December.

"Cosatu, as a whole, will escalate the debate if Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma becomes the ANC president. The debate will only simmer down if Cyril emerges [as president]," said the official.

Yesterday, Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said the union would call for a special congress if the decision to contest elections independently of the ANC was to be taken.

Police union Popcru said it had not yet decided on contesting elections with the SACP, but spokesman Richard Mamabolo mentioned "future meetings like our CEC (central executive committee) taking place from 2-6 November where other proposals could be pondered upon". He said breaking away from the ANC alliance would be a last resort.

National Union of Mineworkers president Piet Matosa said: "If Cyril is not elected ANC president it would mean that we have not worked [hard] enough."

SA Municipal Workers Union president Pule Molalenyane said they would push for Cosatu and the SACP to remain in the alliance. " What we need to do is to ensure that leaders who are not adhering to the principles of the alliance are removed."