Vavi accused of financial impropriety
2013-02-28 07:21
Johannesburg - Cosatu on Wednesday refused to comment on a
report that the union federation's general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi was
involved in financial wrongdoing.
"I can't comment I'm afraid. It's all based on
anonymous sources. We have a standing policy that we don't comment on such
stories," Congress of SA Trade Unions spokesperson Patrick Craven said.
He was responding to a Mail & Guardian online report
that Vavi would be investigated for a number of allegations, including
financial impropriety relating to Cosatu's new building in Braamfontein,
Johannesburg.
Craven said the matter would be mentioned at a press
briefing on Thursday, following Cosatu's central executive committee meeting.
Collaboration with opposition parties
In addition Vavi allegedly collaborated with opposition
parties, including the newly formed Agang, headed by activist and academic
Mamphela Ramphele, and Cosatu’s rival unions, to destabilise the government and
the ANC.
According to the Mail & Guardian, Cosatu leaders at the
central executive committee meeting demanded tough action against Vavi.
Cosatu affiliates initially demanded that he be put on
special leave, pending the investigation, but the committee decided not to
suspend him immediately, the Mail & Guardian said, quoting anonymous
sources.
"This was the toughest meeting I have ever attended.
There was very strong exchange of words. Vavi was in tears. He was attacked
left, right and centre. He lost words in his mouth," one source was quoted
saying.
"He could not even go for lunch. He started negotiating
with unions when he started realising he was on his way out."
The majority of unions were very "vigilant"
against Vavi, the source added.
"The only big unions that supported him were Numsa
[National Union of Metalworkers of SA] and Fawu [Food and Allied Workers'
Union].”
- SAPA