No comment on Numsa probe reports: Cosatu
Cosatu would not comment on Tuesday on reports that a decision had been taken to probe the conduct of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).
Congress of SA Trade Unions spokesman Patrick Craven declined to comment on the matter after media reports that the federation's central executive committee meeting resolved to investigate its biggest affiliated union.
The federation's senior members at the meeting reportedly discussed whether Numsa should be expelled from Cosatu or be submitted to a probe.
The terms of reference of such a probe were not clear.
In August, Cosatu announced that its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi had been put on special leave pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing relating to his affair with a junior employee.
In July, the employee accused him of rape. He said they had an affair. The woman subsequently withdrew a sexual harassment complaint against him.
Following Vavi's suspension Numsa, an ally of his, lodged an application in the High Court in Johannesburg challenging Vavi's suspension.
Vavi then lodged papers to be added as an applicant in Numsa's challenge.
Numsa was among nine Cosatu affiliates, out of 19, that called for a special congress of the federation.
In terms of the Cosatu constitution, its president had to call a special national congress if a third of affiliated unions called for one.
On Monday Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini said Numsa's approach to call a special congress was wrong and that the union was using its status as a majority union in the wrong manner.
Cosatu was also concerned that Numsa was considering leaving the alliance.
"So, when the union made a public announcement about what it was contemplating... this could not be divorced from its public posture which appeared to be that of replacing its role to that of a federation," said Dlamini.
He said Cosatu wanted to engage with Numsa in the boardroom, rather than in the media.
-Sapa