Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini has underlined his opposition to a special congress which could open the door for the return of Zwelinzima Vavi.
|||Durban - Cosatu president, S’dumo Dlamini, has underlined his opposition to a special congress which could open the door for the return of the trade union federation’s suspended general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.
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I have received requests from 18 unions belonging to the alliance (for a special congress). But I told them that the next congress will sit in 2015,” he said.
Dlamini said Vavi did not feature explicitly among the reasons given by affiliates for a special congress, which he stressed would be expensive to hold.
“I can say to you without a doubt that… there is no affiliate that has stated the reason for the congress to be about the general secretary of Cosatu.”
Speaking on Sunday at the Folweni sports ground, south of Durban, at a 10th anniversary commemoration of the late SACP member, Smiso Nkwanyana, Dlamini said Cosatu had not budgeted for a special congress.
The congress would not cost less than R12 million for the estimated 3 500 delegates who would attend if it was called, Dlamini said.
Vavi was placed on special leave on August 14 after it emerged that earlier this year he had sex with a junior staff member at Cosatu’s headquarters.
The federation’s central executive committee has asked Dlamini to report on the feasibility of convening the special congress.
“The constitution of Cosatu gives powers to the president to apply his mind on these matters. I will apply my mind.”
SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande lambasted media for sowing division within the tripartite alliance.
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I condemn today’s headline in one of the national newspapers saying that a certain leader enjoys popularity among the workers. It is mischievous reporting aimed at sowing more divisions in a troubled alliance,” Nzimande said.
The City Press quoted a survey conducted last year by the Community Agency for Social Enquiry which found that Vavi was the only Cosatu leader who represented workers’ aspirations and who featured on a list of national leaders.
The findings were said to suggest that Vavi would win a battle for control of the union federation if it convened a special congress.
Nzimande said union lead-ers who were unhappy were counter-revolutionaries, who “should fetch their jackets and walk out the door”.
“I heard rumours that a few leaders were threatening to leave the movement. We say let them go if they want to. But I urge you (workers) not to follow them. They are being used by imperialists. We cannot fold our arms and watch when things are in disarray.”
Dlamini, however, struck a more conciliatory tone and appealed to National Union of Metal Workers of SA members to stay and sort things out within the federation.
The union and its leader, Irvin Jim, have been at the forefront of efforts to have Vavi reinstated.
“I know some comrades in Durban marched against me (on September 12). I warned them against being used by certain individual,” Dlamini said.
“Workers often call me to ask about the future of the organisation. There are people out there who want to break the ANC before next year’s national election,” he said.
Dlamini rejected allegations he was eyeing a cabinet position after next year’s elections.
“Some people say I speak because I am after a position in Parliament. I say to them I can never be bought by anyone.”
Dlamini also took a swipe at the newly formed Economic Freedom Fighters. It was a political party of the ”Marikanas”, he said, referring to the Platinum belt massacre in August last year.
“They took advantage of the poor miners after a tragedy which killed 34 miners. They are snakes with seven heads. They have stolen ANC values when they speak of nationalisation, congress and Freedom Charter. I urge you, comrades, to fight for the future of the organisation.”
ANC provincial secretary, Sihle Zikalala, told an applauding crowd that those who had regarded themselves as above the party were now asking themselves in amazement how it had happened that they were now outside the party.
“When leaders see that their ideas are crushed, they endorse divisive tendencies to bring chaos into the alliance,” he said.
“We must go out and vote for the ANC so that we beat the political parties built on apartheid tendencies.”
Zikalala described the late Nkwanyana as a loyal member of the SACP who hated lies and died for the unity of the alliance.
nkululeko.nene@inl.co.za
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