Lebogang Seale
JOHANNESBURG: The Young Communist League (YCL) has launched an attack on union leaders Zwelinzima Vavi and Irvin Jim, labelling them “opportunists parading as queens of justice” because of their defence of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
The league accused them of orchestrating “a contradictory double agenda” against President Jacob Zuma by calling for the implementation of Madonsela’s recommendations on the Nkandla saga while they were remained silent on those relating to Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.
“The opportunists call for selective ‘full implementation of the recommendations’, depending on their political acquaintances or enemies.
“You can’t go around parading as the queens of justice and sole protector of the public protector,” YCL national secretary Buti Manamela said yesterday.
He was addressing journalists in Johannesburg after the league’s national committee meeting.
Asked to name the opportunists to whom he was referring, Manamela said the general secretary “of Cosatu (Vavi) and Numsa (Jim)”.
Vavi has said some of the criticism of Madonsela has been “absolutely disgusting to say the least”, “even about the shape of her nose”.
Hitting back at the YCL, he accused it of “issuing labels, distortions and insults” and trying to ostracise him.
“Trying to personalise and isolate the Cosatu (general secretary) from the collective is not only an attempt to factionalise Cosatu but is meant to defeat unity and organised workers’ power, if not the entire working class.
“The protection of the constitution and chapter 9 institutions is not a personal campaign of ZV (Zwelinzima Vavi), but a fully mandated Cosatu position,” he added.