Durban - As Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi prepared for yet another internal inquiry into his conduct - following allegations that he raped a 26-year-old subordinate - detractors of the outspoken union boss are expected to call for his suspension this week.
Cosatu leaders were expected to convene an internal inquiry on Monday to delve into allegations that Vavi raped a 26-year-old married mother of two at the union offices earlier this year.
Vavi denies the allegation, claiming that the sex was consensual and charges that the woman and her husband tried to blackmail him into giving them R2 million in exchange for their silence.
Vavi has lodged a charge of extortion against the woman.
In a statement on the Cosatu website, Vavi said he had engaged his lawyers, and was “ready and willing to appear before any legitimate body to clear my name”.
“I vehemently deny the allegations made against me by the staff member concerned. While I fully appreciate the media value and interest in this matter, I, on behalf of both families, am appealing to the media and the public to give us the privacy which we all deserve, as we work through this matter.
“I am also fully aware that because of my work and life, this matter obviously offers a gold mine for those fishing for sensational stories.
“For years now I have been dealing with consistent threats to my life, political assaults and efforts to destroy my contribution to the struggle of the working class and the poor in this country. Lately as we all know, these efforts to destroy me have intensified. I am unable not to view this matter in the same light,” he said.
While publicly refusing to comment on the issue, some union leaders in the affiliates will be pushing for Vavi to step down from his powerful position.
“First it was the Cosatu House issue now it’s this. It’s time for the GS (general secretary) to step down,” a union leader said on Sunday.
Vavi, who has raised the ire of comrades within the alliance over his criticism of President Jacob Zuma has come under attack over the sale of Cosatu House which allegedly benefited family members.
In March, there were calls for Vavi to be investigated following allegations of corruption.
He denied any wrongdoing in the sale of the old headquarters, or the purchase of the new Cosatu House, and has repeatedly said he would step aside if evidence was brought.
Vavi’s supporters claim that the Cosatu House debacle and the sex scandal are an attempt to silence his criticism of the government and Zuma’s policies.
Vavi said he could not “exclude the possibilities that political opponents of mine have seized the opportunity in order to gain the maximum advantage over me and my position”.
Political analyst Professor Adam Habib said the internal battles with the trade union federation and the ANC had damaged the reputation of the fight against apartheid.
“We have to start asking serious questions of the calibre of politicians in our society and the character of our trade union members themselves. They behave as if they don’t need enemies. They are meant to be comrades yet they behave with each other in the most destructive of ways.
“The types of politics South African politicians practise set a bad tone. This generation of politicians has single-handedly destroyed what was meant to be a noble profession, to the most sullied profession there is. It is amazing how much damage one generation has done,” he said.
Daily News