Vavi goes on ‘special leave’

Johannesburg. – Numsa, a strong ally of Zwelinzima Vavi, confirmed yesterday that the Cosatu general secretary has been suspended, while an official statement from the trade union federation was still awaited.“He (Vavi) was suspended,” National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) general secretary Irvin Jim said.
“Numsa is feeling very bad about what has happened.”

Reports yesterday said Vavi had been put on “special leave” following a Cosatu special central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting which decided to place Cosatu general secretary Vavi on special leave was held constitutionally, the trade union federation’s president Sidumo Dlamini said yesterday.

“The meeting was fully constitutionally convened by the Cosatu national office bearers, was quorate, and was attended by leaders of Cosatu affiliated unions and provincial structures,” Dlamini told reporters in Johannesburg.

“It was agreed that every individual and structure involved must respect internal processes, without exception, and issues must only be communicated to media by national office bearers.”

Earlier, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) general secretary Irvin Jim said Cosatu central executive committee meeting held on Wednesday was not constitutional.

Dlamini said it was agreed at the meeting that it was properly constituted. He said Numsa’s claim was recorded in the minutes of the meeting. However, the agreement was also recorded in the minutes.

Last month, a junior Cosatu employee accused Vavi of rape. He admitted to having a consensual affair with her. The woman subsequently withdrew a sexual harassment complaint against him.

The CEC met in Johannesburg on Wednesday to decide on possible sanctions against Vavi for the affair.  – Sapa.