Delegates to the National Union of Metalworkers eighth congress were urged to focus on the "voice of the metalworkers" and not the debate over ANC president Jacob Zuma and former president Thabo Mbeki.

"To be blunt, we are not here representing any (comrade) Mbeki or Zuma factions, or Polokwane for that matter. We are here, as delegates representing the voice of metalworkers," outgoing Numsa president Mtutuzeli Tom said in a speech prepared for delivery at the congress's opening outside Johannesburg on Monday.

He said unions were meant to defend workers' economic interests, but because the state is "an instrument of the dominant economic classes" it was impossible to stay out of the broader political conflict.

Unions and parties influence each other in setting common goals for society, but they should respect each organisation's independence. When this was flouted, the trade union suffered the most.

He said so much had happened "post-Polokwane" – the ANC's charged elective conference which saw Zuma ousting Mbeki as party president – that there was a lesson to learn from it and to rebuild trust that may have been destroyed.

Collective strength post-Polokwane

"Our collective strength post-Polokwane also lies in the simple and obvious fact that no one should feel marginalised for legitimately participating in the democratic processes of our movement."

Tom's statement comes ahead of Numsa's secretary general Silumko Nondwangu's appearance at a Congress of SA Trade Unions disciplinary committee for being associated with the Mbeki camp in the run-up to the election.

He had appeared on a list of potential national executive committee members, should Mbeki win a third round as ANC president, contrary to the vocal support given to Zuma by Cosatu, to which Numsa and its more than 200 000 members is affiliated.

Cosatu has already sacked its president Willie Madisha for not publicly following Cosatu's pro-Zuma stance. Madisha was also removed from the SA Democratic Teachers Union but Numsa spokesperson Mziwakhe Hlangani said they would support their secretary general, who had already refused to apologise.

Tom said divisions in the ranks offered excellent conditions for intensifying oppression and exploitation of workers.

The union had resolved in December 2007 to retain and defend its independence and said "no member, leader at whatever level, would feel that they do not belong, or (are) unable to express a view on any matter in the organisation.

'We do not represent any political blocks'

"We do not represent any political blocks, but a united entity of metalworkers," he said.

The union had made significant gains for workers, but "an ugly and bitter battle" was ensuing among its members and its affiliates, to settle scores after the Polokwane conference, continued Tom.

He had heard that the election of delegates to the Numsa congress, subtitled the "Parliament of the Metalworkers" was determined along those factional lines, as had the determination of who would be up for leadership. This was heightened by the "recall" of Mbeki in September.

"If this is the course of action that we pursue in this congress and beyond, we are doomed as a voice of metalworkers. No one from whatever quarter or school of thought must and should determine your leadership and policies," said Tom.

"It is these delegates, and not factions or groups of any political formation, that should call the shots here. We will fight to the end for the independence of metalworkers," he said.

He said the ANC should be allowed the space to "heal, reflect and overcome its differences" during a difficult time.

"The sooner it does, the better for us all and a movement forward. If it fails, all of us fail."

Zuma, Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi and SA Communist party secretary general Blade Nzimande were expected to address the congress on Tuesday.

Sapa