Unions go back on their words
THE COSATU faction calling for the immediate reinstatement of expelled metalworkers’ union Numsa appears to be coming apart at the seams.
Two unions have reneged on earlier calls to boycott the federation’s central executive committee (CEC), which ends in Joburg today.
Just four days ago, union leaders calling themselves the “Group of Eight” vowed to stay away from Cosatu meetings, saying any participation in the CEC would only deepen divisions.
Despite this, a delegation from the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) and a senior leader from the SA Football Players Union (Safpu) attended the gathering yesterday.
Many in the faction are also aligned to Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who is staying away from the meeting because he believes it should not go ahead because of the boycott.
Denosa spokesman Sibongiseni Delihlazo said the union was merely abiding by its national congress resolution to engage inside and outside of Cosatu to find a resolution to its many challenges.
However, it pledged its support for Numsa’s reinstatement and a special national congress that could lead to the election of new Cosatu leaders.
Katishi Masemola, the general secretary of the Food and Allied Workers Union, did not criticise Safpu and Denosa for taking part, while Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said he did not believe the metalworkers’ support base was being shaken.
But Safpu general secretary Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe slammed reports that the union’s president had attended the CEC.
“We agreed we would not take part in the CEC, we do not know what he is doing there,” he said.
It is understood that an independent forensic report by SizweNtsalubaGobodo into Cosatu’s finances was discussed yesterday.
The report points to financial maladministration involving Vavi.
The report was drawn up after an investigation into potential conflicts of interest by Vavi relating to his wife and stepdaughter being linked to companies doing business with the federation.
Vavi has taken issue with the report on a number of occasions, saying he was never given an opportunity to respond to its findings.
Despite this, the general secretary spent a second day away from the CEC meeting, saying he could not attend a meeting which excluded “half” of the federation’s unions.
“I felt a message must be sent. Energy must be directed towards bringing Numsa back,” he said.
Vavi said he had not sent an apology to the federation’s national office-bearers, but was nevertheless not worried about any possible repercussions.