Johannesburg - Zwelinzima Vavi was the voice of the voiceless, the Socialist Youth Movement (SYM) said after his suspension as Cosatu's general secretary was set aside on Friday.
“The court ruling is celebrated by friends but is disgusting to the enemies,” SYM national convenor Elmond Magedi said in a statement.
As the divisions in the Congress of SA Trade Unions served the interests of capitalists, unity was needed within the labour union federation, he said.
Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo earlier ruled in the High Court in Johannesburg that Cosatu's central executive committee had the right to suspend Vavi, but that it had failed to comply with Cosatu's constitution.
Magedi said that while unity was needed, it should not be to impress the African National Congress.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA had made a call for workers to build a working class party based on a socialist programme.
“Vavi has not been quite clear on whether he agrees with this call or not and his silence on the issue has left Numsa isolated,” he said.
He said workers had confidence in Vavi on the basis of his undying love for the poor.
The Opposition To Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said it was pleased with Mojapelo's judgment.
“Zwelinzima has been a source of constant reassurance and support to us, notwithstanding our contrasting ideological background,” chairman Wayne Duvenage said.
“He exemplified the civil courage that Outa is calling for and although Cosatu was not a co-applicant in our court challenge, his energy and calls for action to end the ill-conceived e-toll plan helped us enormously.”
Cosatu is expected to discuss the judgment and its response at a special central executive committee meeting in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Sapa