‘No tension between Cosatu’s top leaders’

Cosatu denied any tensions between the top leaders of the trade union federation following comments by general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi at the Chris Hani Institute.

Spokesperson Patrick Craven said it was wrong to assume critical comments made by Vavi referred to his fellow worker leaders.

Vavi spoke at the Chris Hani Institute in Cosatu House yesterday where he was debating the so-called “Lula Moment” in Brazil. This refers to the second term of Brazilian president Lula da Silva which was characterised by economic growth and social spending that saw a narrowing of the equality gap in the South American country.

At the Cosatu congress this was dubbed the “Zuma moment” by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, referring to president Jacob Zuma’s second term as ANC president.

At the Chris Hani Institute, Vavi urged his fellow workers to be more critical.

“Are we still united around the principle or are we going to be in a bhuti-bhuti relationship [with the ANC]?” Vavi asked the audience.

Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven told City Press today Vavi was not referring to his fellow worker leaders who are now taken up in the national executive committee of the ANC.

They include Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) general secretary Fikile Majola, National Union of Mineworkers president Senzeni Zokwana and Cosatu Free State secretary Sam Mashinini.

“The general secretary made no reference to any individual in Cosatu or the ANC. He did not fire a broadside at fellow leaders and made no reference to Sdumo Dlamini directly or by implication,” he told City Press.