Cosatu’s special national congress adjourned late on Monday night after adopting only the credentials and the agenda.

This was after more than nine hours of heated debates among delegates who differed on a number of issues.

“Within the circumstances we were in, it was crucial that we needed to vote on credentials… There was no blood on the floor. It was delegates trying to reach one another. But when it came to a point where we could not agree, we decided to vote on credentials,” Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini said to a half empty hall on Monday night.

Some unions who were part of the group that wanted to see expelled general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) reinstated, had already left the congress during discussions on the agenda.

Some told reporters outside the venue that they did not see the point of staying as nothing productive was coming out of the congress.

However, Dlamini said those that had left, had approached the Cosatu leadership explaining that they had to leave because of transport and accommodation issues.

Dlamini urged delegates to engage one another “quietly” about issues they felt had not been resolved.

Earlier, credentials were adopted with a total of 1 752 delegates voting yes against 253 who voted no and 226 who abstained.

Before the adoption there was a debate on whether the vote should be done through secret ballot or a show of hands. It was ruled that delegates would vote by a show of hands.

With Cosatu taking a full day to adopt credentials and the agenda, messages of support which were expected to be delivered by alliance partners had to be postponed to Tuesday.

ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete and SACP deputy national chairperson Thulas Nxesi are among those expected to address delegates.

Dlamini will deliver his opening address on Tuesday morning. News24