Vavi writes to SAHRC

2008-07-14 20:40

Johannesburg - Trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi has written a letter to the SA Human Rights Commission expressing his respect for the Constitution, but has yet to apologise for his "kill for Zuma" statement.

SAHRC spokesperson Vincent Moaga said on Monday that the commission would meet Vavi, the general secretary of the Congress of SA Trade Unions, either this week or next week to discuss his letter.

"Even though we are going to have this meeting with him, our position still stands," Moaga said.

Asked whether this meant that the commission still believed Vavi should apologise for his remarks, Moaga replied: "Yes".

Vavi has until midnight on Monday to apologise for his statement at a funeral last month that people were prepared to "shoot and kill" for ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

The SAHRC threatened to take legal action against Vavi if he did not meet the deadline, but now it will meet with him first.

ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema recently also faced an SAHRC complaint for making a similar statement.

Moaga said Vavi's letter, which the commission received on Friday, explained that his statement had been misunderstood.

"But we will discuss that with him in our meeting," said Moaga.

Moaga quoted part of the letter: "We (Cosatu) have huge respect for the work of the SAHRC and as you know, we have in the past co-operated with the commission on some of its work. We have an absolute respect for the Constitution of the country and the Bill of Rights."

The opposition Democratic Alliance recently called on Zuma to sign a declaration expressing support for the Constitution and to condemn the "kill for Zuma" statements of both Vavi and Malema.

- SAPA