Samwu defends Vavi

Some people are bent on tarnishing the reputation and image of Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, Samwu in the Eastern Cape said on Tuesday.

   

"The SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) in the Eastern Cape is disturbed by the continuous discrediting of [Vavi] in the media and by other sources," spokesman Siphiwo Ndunyana said in statement.

   

"The agenda of the factionalists was defeated at the last Cosatu congress, when the general secretary received overwhelming support.  

 

Now some of the same people are trying to remove the general secretary via the 'back door'."

   

Ndunyana accused factions within the Congress of SA Trade Unions of being behind attempts to remove Vavi from the country's most powerful trade union federation. 

   

"They tried to use rape accusations, which have now been withdrawn by the woman involved. Over the next period these forces will undoubtedly try other dirty tricks," he said.

   

"Our view in the Eastern Cape expressed by our provincial executive committee is that the Cosatu CEC [central executive committee] should constructively deal with the matter and act responsibly," he said.

  

He said Vavi was persecuted for being outspoken about the situation facing ordinary people.    

 

"Our people are suffering; the only crime that comrade Vavi committed is he is prepared to tell the truth about the day to day reality of our people."

   

Vavi made headlines last month after a junior employee at Cosatu accused him of rape.

 

He subsequently admitted to having a sexual affair with the woman but said it was consensual. The woman subsequently withdrew her sexual harassment complaint against him.

   

-Sapa