COSATU+president+denies+probe,+Terreblanche+and+Mbanjwa,+Sindy

Sunday Independent, Johannesburg, August 20, 2006 //Edition 1//
=Cosatu president denies probe into Vavi as affiliates simmer ahead of elections=


 * CHRISTELLE TERREBLANCHE and XOLANI MBANJWA**

As the fallout over infighting in its own ranks hit media headlines, the Congress of South African Trade Unions this week closed ranks over its divisions, but slandering and perceptions of smear campaigns continued to simmer among its affiliates.

While a barrage of statements from union affiliates, office bearers and even the South African Communist Party blamed the media and its "faceless sources", insiders continued to talk of factions and a conspiracy by the African National Congress to divide the union federation ahead of its ninth national congress next month.

Yesterday Willy Madisha, the Cosatu presi-dent, claimed there was no crisis in Cosatu and no investigation into Zwelinzima Vavi, its secretar-general. He denied allegations that he was probing Vavi.

Addressing a meeting of the South African Democratic Teachers Union, of which he is also president, Madisha said: "It is utter nonsense." Madisha later told Independent Newspapers he believed the allegations stemmed from a regular "Monday check" into the federation's finances, but that it was taken out of context given the tensions around next month's election of new office-bearers.

But perceptions that a probe was under way and was instigated by those in the ANC who allegedly want to control Cosatu by dividing its members, were still running at fever pitch this week.

These divisions are largely laid at the door of wrangles over a perceived strategic mistake by Cosatu of "putting all their eggs in one basket" by supporting Jacob Zuma.

The perceived targeting of Vavi, seen as Zuma's main supporter in Cosatu, through a smear campaign allegedly involving a woman and the supposed misuse of a credit card, was now having the unintended consequence of giving him an underdog status tantamount to that of Zuma, observers said.

That there have been simmering tensions between the top two in Cosatu has been no secret. Industrial sociologist Eddie Webster would only confirm earlier reports that he was part of mediation in Cosatu last year. The mediation is alleged to have centred on the Vavi-Madisha conflict.

Senior unionists from several provinces and affiliates confirmed the perception that the division was being driven by an anti-Vavi and anti-Zuma faction aligned to the ANC leadership. This camp was variously called the Luthuli House detachment and the Booysens caucus, a reference to a Johannesburg hotel where they allegedly meet.

"The Booysens caucus is a significant force to be reckoned with," said one senior unionist, while implying that Madisha was involved. "They are not raising these issues in the structures of Cosatu because of the fear of being defeated, but [act] as faceless sources in the media. Now they position themselves as an alternative leadership discussing organisa-tional matters at Booysens and call investigations without informing the office-bearers."

Yesterday Madisha acknowledged factions within Cosatu, but denied that it was crippling its work. He said of his alleged role in the Booysens caucus that the hotel was merely a place where "everyone went to drink and have a laugh".

Madisha yesterday also underplayed the perception that the ANC-aligned factions were trying to influence Cosatu's direction. But observers believe that Cosatu's role in the alliance and the resources it brings was often underestimated.

"I would be highly surprised if Luthuli House is not trying to influence what is happening as one would assume they have a very basic interest in it," said Steven Friedman, a political analyst with Idasa.

He said the direction Cosatu takes at the congress would be "immensely important for the country", but that the union federation was at risk of damaging its reputation as a principled and influential voice of the working class by pinning all its hopes on one individual.

"I think there are things Cosatu could do to ensure that it is about principle. It should not get defensive and say we all agree on everything," Friedman said.

A senior Cosatu leader said it was "essential that Cosatu closes ranks and deals with this matter openly and honestly, because there is a range of forces and interest groups outside of Cosatu who have an interest in the conference".


 * From: http://www.sundayindependent.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3401419**

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