ANC slams Vavi 'ranting'
2007-08-13 21:14
Cape Town - The African National Congress on Monday condemned what it said was "abusive ranting" by union leader Zwelinzima Vavi on Cabinet ministers.
Vavi, who is the Congress of SA Trade Union's general secretary, said at the weekend that some ministers were "deadwoods who remain untouchable", and that some were "dying on duty".
His criticisms followed the sacking of Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge.
The ANC said these were not the sort of comments one would expect from a senior member of the Tripartite Alliance.
"They demonstrate a failure to understand the difference between frank and constructive criticism... and the kind of abusive ranting to which many of the ANC's opponents regularly stoop."
His reference to ministers dying on duty showed a "shameful lack of respect" for those who had died in office.
The contribution that members of the executive had made to progress over the last 13 years should not be belittled by those who would rather play to the gallery than honestly examine the strengths and weaknesses of the government.
- SAPA