Cosatu denies Vavi attack on Zuma
2011-04-06 15:24
Johannesburg - The Congress of SA Trade Unions denied on Wednesday a report that its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi had "blasted Zuma" at a conference this week.
"Zwelinzima Vavi never made any reference to the president of the ANC and the republic, Comrade Jacob Zuma. He pointed out the strides made by the ANC government as well as some of the challenges that remain such as corruption, income inequalities, poverty and unemployment," Cosatu said in a statement.
It was referring to a headline on the Sowetan newspaper's front page on Wednesday which stated, "Zuma blasted by Vavi".
But Cosatu said: "We consider the headline as inaccurate and mischievous. Even the Sowetan's own report of the speech, by Kingdom Mabuza, on Page 4, to which the headline refers, makes no mention of any reference to the president by the general secretary."
Vavi made front page news in other publications on Wednesday for warning that the opposition Democratic Alliance's leader Helen Zille posed a threat to the ruling African National Congress in some areas.
"If we are not careful, and if we allow people to take our movement in the direction they are taking, very soon we may have to call someone President Zille - which will be an absolute nightmare," Vavi said, diverting from his speech prepared for delivery.
He said the ruling ANC was "infested with corruption and greed".
Cosatu insisted that the Sowetan publish a retraction and apology.
Last week, The Star and the Daily Sun newspapers had to publish front-page apologies after incorrectly quoting ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema as publicly criticising Zuma.
- SAPA
