Vavi Suspended

CONGRESS of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) chief Zwelinzima Vavi was suspended on Wednesday night, as divided union bosses wielded the axe after a heated meeting to seal his future.

Cosatu’s action is likely to reverberate throughout the African National Congress (ANC)-led alliance, and could

lead to a split in the federation.

The veteran general secretary will not come to the office from Thursday, pending the outcome of a process to probe his conduct after he publicly admitted to having an affair with a subordinate, and over the manner in which the 26-year-old woman had been employed.

Three sources late on Wednesday night confirmed Mr Vavi’s suspension. It is understood a statement is be issued by Cosatu on Thursday, in which the action is to be "couched" as a "leave of absence".

The heated special sitting of Cosatu’s central executive committee included wrangling over the constitutionality of the gathering, an intense debate over credentials, and an apology from Mr Vavi to the meeting.

This is the most severe step taken against Mr Vavi thus far.

The outspoken union leader had in the past been accused of corruption relating to the sale of Cosatu’s old premises, of failing to adhere to Cosatu policy and of colluding with the opposition and nongovernmental organisations.

But the sex scandal has proved his undoing, leading to his exit from Cosatu House, and prompting questions over whether the move will be permanent.

His opponents say the "writing is on the wall" and it is likely he may not return to the federation, which he has led for 14 years.

Mr Vavi has been in the midst of a fight for his political life since fellow Cosatu leaders commenced their attempt to push him out in February this year.

Mr Vavi’s "posture" toward allies the ANC and the South African Communist Party has alienated him from those he once fought alongside to ensure President Jacob Zuma ascended to the highest office in the land.

Cosatu leaders have described a "strategic political rupture" between Mr Vavi’s views and those of the federation, accusing him of deviating from Cosatu policy.

Wednesday’s meeting, however, was held over Mr Vavi’s public admission of an affair with a 26-year-old employee, and over the manner in which she was employed. Mr Vavi admitted to having sex with the woman in her office at Cosatu’s plush Braamfontein offices. He first met her at a check-in counter at the airport.

It is understood that Mr Vavi’s backers fought hard to prevent the meeting from taking place — arguing about its constitutionality and then over credentials.

They also argued that one of the unions at the forefront of the push against him, the National Union of Mineworkers, was in three months’ arrears with its Cosatu subscriptions and therefore not allowed to participate.

The meeting was then halted to allow presidents and general secretaries to attempt to resolve the impasse. The group returned with a proposal that Mr Vavi and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini meet alone and try to reach a consensus. This proposal was rejected. "It was very difficult. We could tell even the chair (Mr Dlamini) was pushing a line," said a source aligned to Mr Vavi.

Eventually, the debates raged over whether to spare him, whether to place him on a leave of absence, or to suspend him. The meeting decided on suspension.

Mr Vavi’s backers will have to think hard about the way forward. Earlier this week, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa said it would hold another press conference this week on the way forward should the Cosatu bosses act against Mr Vavi. BDlive