Johannesburg – The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has been expelled from Cosatu, its general secretary Irvin Jim said on Saturday.

“Yes, Numsa has been expelled,” he confirmed via sms.

The metalworkers union was expelled during a special central executive committee (CEC).

“We were expelled this morning, a predetermined decision was evident, the reasons for them kicking us out were not enough,” Numsa’s treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“It was painful, it was as if someone had died,” he said.

Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said he was not sure whether the trade union federation would send out a statement on the matter on Saturday.

“The meeting ran into the early hours of this morning, we are still trying to digest what happened,” he said.

“I can confirm that there was a vote to expel Numsa by 33 votes to 24.”

CEC members voted on whether Numsa should stay, with 33 votes for expulsion and 24 against it.

On Friday, Jim gave a presentation defending the union against possible expulsion from the Congress of SA Trade Unions.

Numsa went to court on Thursday to try and prevent its expulsion. The case was postponed and the CEC meeting went ahead.

– SAPA