Cosatu condemns media ‘leaks’

Cape Town 020313 The COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi addresses at the SACTWU's Annual bargaining conference at the Nelson Mandela garden Court Hotel. picture : neil baynes

Cape Town 020313 The COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi addresses at the SACTWU's Annual bargaining conference at the Nelson Mandela garden Court Hotel. picture : neil baynes

Published Jul 26, 2013

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Johannesburg - Cosatu condemned what it described as leaks from internal meetings published on Friday.

“The Congress of SA Trade Unions strongly condemns the article 'Vavi says critics are govt turncoats' in the Mail & Guardian on 26 July 2013, which is based entirely on leaks and hearsay,” spokesman Patrick Craven said.

“For that reason, in line with our policy, Cosatu will not comment on its contents, but condemns those who selectively leak information arising from internal discussions within the federation.”

The newspaper reported that general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi reiterated to his “enemies” in the trade union federation that he best represented the interests of the working class.

In a submission to the commission of inquiry established to investigate several allegations against Vavi by leaders of Cosatu affiliates, Vavi reportedly accused Cosatu leaders Ä including president Sidumo Dlamini; deputy president Zingisa Losi; general secretary of the National, Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union Fikile Majola; and general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers Frans Baleni Ä of showing “right-wing tendencies” by deviating from Cosatu resolutions.

Dlamini, Losi, Majola, and Baleni had suggested that Vavi was responsible for a rupture in Cosatu, according to the report.

Vavi reportedly also had to defend his association with civil society, saying it was not “counter-revolutionary” but in line with resolutions to form tactical alliances.

Cosatu had been criticised by the African National Congress and the SA Communist Party for this. Vavi believed this reflected insecurity about legitimate criticism of certain weaknesses in the movement and the state. - Sapa

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