Vavi in hot water over meeting

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi Photo: Dumisani Sibeko

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi Photo: Dumisani Sibeko

Published Mar 17, 2015

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Durban - Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, could be disciplined for attending a meeting organised by seven disgruntled affiliated unions - and an expelled one - in Durban on Sunday.

The labour federation president, Sdumo Dlamini, said on Monday he had phoned Vavi after hearing he was invited by the unions to endorse their programme to tackle Cosatu issues and the expulsion last year of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).

“I heard earlier that he was invited to the meeting and I called him on Sunday morning to find out. He agreed that he was invited but was not attending. Instead, he said he would address Pick n Pay workers on the same day in Durban,” said Dlamini. “I’m surprised that he attended that meeting. It was not supported by Cosatu.”

Asked if action would be taken against Vavi, Dlamini said it was Cosatu’s central executive committee (CEC) that took decisions on transgressions by union members.

“Once it is brought to the attention of the CEC, proper procedure will be followed.”

Numsa; the Food and Allied Workers Union; Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA; South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union; SA State and Allied Workers Union; Public and Allied Workers Union of SA; Communication Workers Union; and South African Football Players Union were represented at Sunday’s meeting.

The unions had accused Dlamini, Gwede Mantashe (ANC secretary-general) and Blade Nzimande (SACP general secretary), of destroying the tripartite alliance.

The leaders denied the accusations.

This was the second time this month Vavi had apparently shown disregard for his employer. He snubbed the CEC meeting, as well as the pleas by Dlamini for him and the seven unions affiliated to Cosatu to come back into the fold.

Before the meeting, the SABC reported Vavi as saying his absence at the CEC meeting was an indication the federation’s unity should come first, and not leaders’ egos. He said he would not watch injustices.

Asked on Monday about the allegation he lied to Dlamini about his intentions on the day, Vavi said if Dlamini had a problem with him attending the union meeting, he should talk to him about it.

“I can’t engage him through the media. I have no fear about the repercussions of my actions. The fear I have is failing to mobilise the workers to fight for their rights,” he said. “If what I have done is a dismissible offence, so be it.”

Vavi is already facing charges relating to alleged tender irregularities, among others. He maintained his innocence, claiming the charges were part of a witch-hunt.

Numsa’s provincial secretary, Mbuso Ngubane, said Vavi was in the firing line from Cosatu.

“If they fire comrade Vavi, we won’t view that as a crisis because Cosatu is dead. If they fire him, workers won’t abandon him because he speaks their language,” Ngubane said.

Daily News

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