Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) provincial secretary in the North West, Solly Phetoe was elected the deputy general secretary of the trade federation on Thursday.

Phetoe obtained 1 679 votes while his rival Oscar Phaka from the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) obtained 677 vote.

Acting secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali was nominated unopposed to fill the position of the federation’s general secretary. He had been acting in the general secretary position left vacant after Zwelinzima Vavi was fired.

Leadership positions that were not contested included; Sdumo Dlamini (president), Tyotyo James (first deputy president), Zingiswa Losi (second deputy president) and Freda Oosthuizen (treasurer).

Phetoe was elected uncontested as the North West provincial secretary at the provincial congress in June.