Durban - Zwelinzima Vavi, the founding secretary-general of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), the labour federation he helped founded in 2017, two years after his expulsion from Cosatu, is again facing the chop from a leadership position.
This was after the new and second-largest labour federation after Cosatu, on Tuesday, served him with a letter saying he must motivate why he should not be suspended.
Vavi has to plead his case by Thursday, March 17, 2022, and state why he should not be placed on precautionary suspension while an investigation is taking place.
In the letter, which was signed by the federation’s president, Mac Chavalala, on behalf of national office bearers (NOBs), Vavi is accused of breaching the constitution of the labour movement as well as its finance policy.
“Please be reminded that during the said meeting, at which you were in attendance, the NOBs took a serious note that, and with great concern, there are quite a number of transgressions on your part that are tantamount to acts of misconduct and misbehaviour and warrants investigations and possible disciplinary action,” reads the letter.
Vavi was then asked to state why he should not be placed on suspension.
“This, therefore, serves to inform you that you are requested to give reasons why you shouldn’t be placed under a precautionary suspension whilst the investigations takes place. The investigation will, amongst others, be about the alleged violations of the constitution, breach of administration and finance policy and disrespecting/undermining constitutional structural decisions and resolutions.”
Independent Media was tipped off as early as April last year that Vavi was facing the chop from the labour federation. A source alleged that there were tensions between him and some leaders of the movement after it was alleged that he was still in touch with the ANC, the alliance partner of COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions).
NEWS: The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) wants to suspend its secretary-general, Zwelinzima Vavi, for allegedly breaching its constitution. According to a letter served to him, Vavi has until tomorrow to show cause why he should not be suspended. @IOL
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) March 16, 2022
At some point, it was alleged that Vavi was asked by some ANC leaders to jump ship and take up a seat in parliament, and later, a deputy minister position. This was after Vavi allegedly told the leaders who were courting him that he was having some difficulties at Saftu.
It was later also alleged that the issues further worsened Vavi’s relationship with the Saftu's NOBs was when he (Vavi) later attended a virtual meeting of Cosatu where the labour federation was discussing workers' issues. It was not clear who gave Vavi the green light to take part in that meeting.
Vavi did not answer when he was sent the letter by Independent Media and asked to comment about it and come out clearly about his next move if the federation presses forward with it.
Also not responding to the letter was Chavalala.
Vavi on Wednesday night issued a statement that he was in a meeting of the national office bearers held of Saftu on 14 March 2022 where a motion was moved by the 2nd Deputy President, Thabo Matsose, and seconded by Chavalala, which was later supported by the Deputy General Secretary, Moleko Phakedi, that “I be placed on suspension immediately”.
He said he did not understand why there was a need to issue him with a letter of suspension “when a so-called ’decision’ has already been taken in my presence to place me on suspension with immediate effect”.
“Secondly, where do you derive the power to suspend a fellow National Office Bearer when the SAFTU Constitution is categorical that only the National Executive Committee can suspend National Office Bearers?
“I reject your unlawful and unconstitutional conduct which is not only unheard of but defies the logic of natural justice…
“Why must I even answer your deliberately vague, spurious, wild, and unsubstantiated allegations. It seems evident that these wild allegations are designed to cast the net wide in order to justify a “political decision” taken elsewhere which has nothing to do with the allegations,” Vavi said in his statement.
He said he has not been provided with the allegations against him.
“It is clear that you are trying to lay the ground for a predetermined illegal and unconstitutional decision taken elsewhere.”
Political Bureau