COSATU+says+no+divisions+in+leadership,+Brown+and+Musgrave,+B+Day

Business Day, Johannesburg, 18 August 2006
=Cosatu says there are no divisions in its leadership=


 * Karima Brown and Amy Musgrave**

SENIOR officials in the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have blamed “outside forces” for reported divisions between its leadership over the federation’s support for African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma.

Cosatu has backed Zuma since President Thabo Mbeki axed him from the cabinet last year.

Pouring cold water over the reports, the officials said the so-called divisions were “driven by elements in the ANC” who were determined to box Cosatu politically and confine its attention to narrow shop-floor issues. Union leaders believe sections of the ANC who want a more compliant labour federation stand to benefit from the wrangling.

They dismissed the reported fallout between Cosatu president Willie Madisha and general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi as insignificant. “At the latest Cosatu conference, the ANC had a clear candidate, (former Nehawu president) Vusi Nhlapo, who they wanted as Cosatu president; this time they don’t have anyone definite,” a Cosatu leader said.

The reports allege that Madisha is investigating Vavi for the abuse of a union credit card. They also suggest the two have fallen out and that Madisha has thrown his weight behind Mbeki while Vavi continues his support for Zuma.

However, Cosatu’s national office bearers have denied Vavi is under investigation.

While affiliates differed on the degree of support for the ANC’s number two, the federation was bound by a decision taken at its central committee last year to have Zuma reinstated as deputy president of the country, and to have corruption charges against him dropped.

“There’s no significant division between Vavi and Madisha. Madisha is certainly not Mbeki’s man,” a provincial secretary said.

There has never been any indication that Madisha has changed his political position on the Mbeki government.

The organisation claimed that media reports were also part of an “agenda” to weaken preparations ahead of the congress.

The apparent jostling for positions was “nothing out of the ordinary” ahead of an elective conference, officials said. It is understood that both Madisha and Vavi will be returned to their positions unopposed.

The battle between Zuma and Mbeki has engulfed the tripartite alliance and Cosatu’s vocal support of Zuma could prove risky.

“We are concerned about the impact of the reports on Cosatu and need to protect our integrity as a legitimate voice. The battle for control in the ANC is real. Mbeki sacked Zuma. That situation does not obtain in Cosatu,” said one union leader.

On Wednesday, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa came out in support of Vavi, saying its general secretary, Slumko Nondwangu, would not be put forward as an alternative to Vavi as speculated.

The officials said it was essential for Cosatu to maintain unity. At least two provincial structures have asked head office for explanations about the media reports.


 * From: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A252471**

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