Johannesburg - Dismissed Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, claims the divisions which paralysed the federation over the past three years were engineered by the “state” along with the ANC and SACP.
He said purges from unions affiliated to the federation were “systematic” and had severely weakened structures, which were now characterised by a culture of fear and authoritarianism.
Affiliates where purges had occurred included municipal workers union Samwu, police union Popcru, the National Union of Mineworkers, the SA Democratic Teachers Union and transport union Satawu.
“How many of the survivors of these purges can afford to take an independent position at next week’s (Cosatu) congress? Can they defy the line from their national leaders? Never,” Vavi told journalists at a press conference in Johannesburg.
He said the purges led to the formation of breakaway unions.
Next week’s Cosatu congress, which begins on Monday, would be a “farce”, Vavi said.
“Worker unity is going to be the last thing on the minds of the leadership and their… handpicked delegates or purge survivors,” he said.
He reiterated that he would not appeal his expulsion at next week's congress.
Labour Bureau
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