COSATU+set+to+probe+allegations+of+spying,+Linda+Daniels,+The+Star

The Star, Johannesburg, September 04, 2006 //Edition 4//
=Cosatu set to probe allegations of spying=


 * //Battle for top positions turns ugly ahead of congress//**


 * Linda Daniels**

The Congress of SA Trade Unions has confirmed it will investigate a complaint against one of its leaders for alleged spying on South African Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande.

In the latest scandal to hit the trade union federation, City Press newspaper reported at the weekend that the surprise resignation of Cosatu's first vice-president, Joe Nkosi, on Friday came barely a week after Nzimande wrote a letter to Cosatu claiming that Nkosi was spying on him.

Nkosi is reportedly a close ally of Cosatu president Willie Madisha, who is perceived to be part of the pro-President Thabo Mbeki camp or so-called "Luthuli House detachment" in the federation. Nzimande is a close associate of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma.

Nzimande's letter of complaint is reportedly in the possession of Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who is also among Zuma's high-profile backers.

Nkosi reportedly denied his resignation was a result of the spying allegations, and said he wanted to focus on his studies and return to his company in Witbank.

It is not clear why he did not wait for his term to end in two weeks' time, when Cosatu holds its national congress, where a new leadership will be elected.

Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven yesterday confirmed that Cosatu was investigating the complaint and its reaction to Nkosi's resignation. He said no time-frame had been set for the conclusion of the probe.

When pressed on who would be leading the investigation, he said: "I don't know that either."

SACP spokesperson Malesela Maleka said he did not want to discuss matters relating to Nzimande's security in the public domain except to say that "it's a matter of concern to us".

As for Nkosi's resignation and the suggestion that it was related to the spying allegations, Maleka said: "Mr Nkosi's resignation has nothing to do with this issue."

Cosatu has been torn by internal rumblings, including allegations and counter-allegations, ranging from abuse of credit cards to fears of assassination plots.

The Cosatu leadership battle has resulted in fierce competition for top positions ahead of the trade union federation's ninth national congress later this month.

The re-election of Madisha to the presidency of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) at its congress over the weekend was interpreted as a sign that horse-trading by the National Union of Mineworkers had succeeded in keeping Madisha in power at Sadtu, so that he might be dissuaded from standing for the Cosatu presidency.

Nominations for the Cosatu leadership positions close on Friday.


 * From: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3423847**

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