Vavi: I am not resigning

Cosatu Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi. Picture: Dumisani Sibeko

Cosatu Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi. Picture: Dumisani Sibeko

Published Mar 29, 2015

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Johannesburg -

Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi says he will remain in his position as a leader in the federation, for now.

The troubled leader told a press briefing packed with National Metalworkers Union (Numsa) members and journalists.

Speculation had been rife ahead of the press briefing that Vavi would formally resign from Cosatu following a number of tremulous years at the helm of the biggest federation in the continent.

“This is a deliberate act of defiance on my part, even if in the end it turns out to be symbolic. Is sends a message to workers that we must refuse to hand the organization over on a platter, and must only walk away when all alternatives to rescue it have been exhausted. I am refusing to make it easy for those who are trying to hijack the organization, and those (who) want to take control of the federation out of the hands of members,” he said.

Vavi will however not attend the forthcoming Special central executive committee which begins on Monday as he believes that meeting was convened for “merely dealing with me and perceived opponents of the dominant faction.

” Aware of what implications may lie ahead for him as a result of this action, Vavi said if he is sacked from the federation for not showing up in Monday’s meeting, “then so be it.”

Flanked by Numsa leaders, including its deputy general secretary, Karl Cloete, Vavi was resolute as he read the statement with 74 points which detail what he describes as attempts to bring about unity in the federation and what then led to his decision to give up the fight for unity within the federation.

In more than one reference, Vavi seems to be taunting the leadership of the federation into firing him by presenting scenarios which could lead to his dismissal.

His insistence to remain within the fold as a non-participating leader will leave the federation’s biggest decision making body, the CEC no choice but make a decision about his fate in his absence.

Monday’s scheduled meeting will likely resolve to show him the door as the federations stands to lose by having him fight them from within and outside by mobilizing workers to the streets.

“I call on all workers who agree (with) this program to close the door on divisions that have sapped our energy, to join the mobilization of the working class for our total emancipation,” he said.

It is unclear whether the 7 Cosatu unions which supported Vavi in the past will be following him on this new path.

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