Cosatu founders ‘turning in their graves’

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. Photo: BHEKI RADEBE

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. Photo: BHEKI RADEBE

Published Mar 31, 2015

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Johannesburg - Cosatu's founding fathers must be turning in their graves following the dismissal of general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, Cope said on Tuesday.

“In 2007, I walked the same path. I have no doubt the founding fathers of this great labour giant must be turning in their graves considering how selfishness and greed for wealth have destroyed their hard work,” Congress of the People deputy president Willie Madisha said in a statement.

Madisha, a former Congress of SA Trade Unions president, fired by the trade union federation in February 2008, said Cosatu was formed to take up workers' problems, challenges and grievances on the shop floor.

“Over time, the federation lost direction and became just another political party,” he said.

“It forgot the purpose of its formation. No more did the workers matter for the present Cosatu leadership.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Cosatu deputy general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told reporters in Johannesburg: “Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi is dismissed as the general secretary of Cosatu with immediate effect.”

This followed a special central executive committee meeting which found him guilty of gross misconduct.

On Sunday, Vavi said he would not resign.

“This is a deliberate act of defiance on my part, even if in the end it turns out to be symbolic,” he told reporters in Johannesburg.

Madisha said Cosatu was contaminated by political interference.

“Once Cosatu leaders were co-opted into top positions within the ANC, after becoming Members of Parliament representing the ANC, they steered a different course,” Madisha said.

“Vavi was against Cosatu being swallowed up by the ANC or any other political party. He was also outspoken in his condemnation of corruption in government.”

Madisha said if Cosatu wanted to remain relevant, it had to return to its founding principles and represent workers' interests.

“A union federation must champion the cause of workers, not that of the capitalist class,” he said.

“We in the Congress of the People reiterate our consistent policy position that trade unions must remain independent of political parties.”

Sapa

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