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Vavi
Although the right wing was no longer a threat, the “poisoned atmosphere” of division within the ANC-led tripartite alliance meant that people were increasingly thinking of beefing up security because of the fear of assassinations, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Thursday.
Addressing the 7th Sadtu KwaZulu-Natal conference in Durban, Vavi said the liberation movement had descended into divisions, fast-forming cliques and cabals, gossip-mongering, backstabbing, and character, political and physical assassination.
“Increasingly, everybody is looking to beef up personal security, not because comrades fear being assassinated by the right wing, but because of the seeds of mistrust that are now blossoming among us as comrades,” he said.
Vavi urged delegates to return to the basics politically or risk fragmenting the “mighty movement into irrelevance”.
He lamented the move towards “slate politics” and a “winner-takes-all philosophy” – characterised by the sidelining of talented individuals in favour of the weakest just because they were on the “correct slate”.
“These divisions have made us extremely tolerant of mediocrity, and we celebrate the lowering of standards, a time where double-speak and double standards reign supreme,” he said.
Vavi said that three “comrades” had appeared in court in Rustenburg last week for allegedly killing another comrade.
“On the same day, I saw that here in Durban a fellow is suspected of killing the eThekwini regional secretary of the ANC, S’bu Sibiya – the second comrade to have been killed recently.
“Eleven or more com- rades have been killed in Mpumalanga recently.
“In all these cases, the suspects were fellow comrades.
“Unless we stand up, we shall continue to go to funerals to bury comrades, where the person suspected of engineering the killing is the very one delivering the keynote address at the funeral,” he said.
Vavi urged all within the movement to return to basics and rebuild the movement, or risk fragmenting the trade union movement and the forces of the Left.
“Eventually, when we have devoured each other there will be only one class celebrating – the class of the exploiters,” he said.
Vavi blamed the politically “poisoned atmosphere” on factionalism and political relations cemented by money and business ties.
He said the “blatant” corruption committed by some public representatives and servants could no longer be hidden away.
“It is our duty as the revolutionary trade union federation to expose and isolate elements that seek to enrich themselves from the labour and hardships of the people.
“We must never be caught in the trap of allowing personal friendship and family relationships to stand in the way of taking up principled battles against corruption and patronage in our organisations,” Vavi said. - The Mercury, page 2
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Anonymous, wrote
Mr Vavi's observation came too late.ANC-Alliance staunch supporters lower down have been doing just that to each other for the last 14 years for positions in govt and parastals.That is the cause of non delivery up to now and possibly far into the future.
Anonymous, wrote
How arrogant of these leaders who believe they are so important that somebody actually wants to assasinate them. If they did their job properly ( like Mandela) then perhaps they wouldn't have tp worry so much
Guy Malamba, wrote
ceebee, wrote
The wheels are off, tribal conflict soon. The only thing they have in common is their greed and incompetence. Banana republic is here!!!
Graham F, wrote
Start by asking SADTU why they are havin a conference on a school day. Then start your own ploitical party according to your ideals. 70% of the voters can't all think the same.
Joe, wrote
Gail, wrote
The ANC is starting to realise that it's not so easy to take the moral highground when you are in power. Greed and corruption are getting the better of them. THEY ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT. Not so holy anymore, are you, ANC?
TOKYO3991, wrote
The cancerous ROT in the once mighty ANC, and it's alliance partners, is irreversible and unstoppable. The electorate have belatedly realised they are merely in government to enrich themselves... viva DA, viva!!
Anonymous, wrote
Why does Vavi not start a labour party instead of patronising the thieves that run the ANC. He seems a very good and correct man who can be trusted.
kurt, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Some years ago there was corruption in the Durban City Council, White corruption in the 60's.Cyril Milne and Co. They went to JAIL!
Anonymous, wrote
"Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power." P. J. O'Rourke
RG, wrote
Yes, Vavi, you ARE killing yourselves. GREED and CORRUPTION makes you do this. Glad to hear you say it openly. Talking abouth the right wing, they were nothing compared to what your fellow BROTHERS are doing. Look at how RACIST the ANC has become. Rainbow nation...what a joke. ok, maybe the ANC rainbown has just one colour in their rainbow. My mistake. I always wonder how Mr Nelson Mandela feels about all of this. Is this what he wasted his life for....The ANC of today has forgotton that the Whites and Indians played a VERY BIG role in assisting the then ANC in getting were they are today.They are today called, thieves and c***lies. What a freaking joke. Wake up and smell the roses before we become like our neighbouring states.
Stephan, wrote
Vavi, try some introspection. When you openly support a morally and proven corrupt individual into power, you are simply reaping the fruits of your own decisions. This was the biggest mistake your movement made and it has cost SA citizens and workers dearly. Please, grow some and do the right thing - vote for SA NOT ANC.
Anonymous, wrote
Thats all you do Vavi, lament , lament and more lament. When are you actually going to do something
pat, wrote
this speech just proves to us everything that we hav always suspected... people that we put in positions 4get about the oath they make and focus more on their personal agendas... there is so much that needs fixing in our s.a but it does not look like is going to be
Keith Woodman, wrote
@Pearson. Your heartless comments are based on your distorted understanding of history. It is your fault because clearly there is some intelligence but unfortunately it is misdirected.
arthvr, wrote
Can't think of any liberation movement that managed to become a real democratic political party
Anonymous, wrote
b, wrote
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