Johannesburg - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Wednesday refused to comment on a report that the union federation's general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi was involved in financial wrongdoing.
“I can't comment I'm afraid. It's all based on anonymous sources. We have a standing policy that we don't comment on such stories,” Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said.
He was responding to a Mail & Guardian online report that Vavi would be investigated for a number of allegations, including financial impropriety relating to Cosatu's new building in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Craven said the matter would be mentioned at a press briefing on Thursday, following Cosatu's central executive committee meeting.
In addition, Vavi allegedly collaborated with opposition parties, including the newly formed Agang, headed by activist and academic Mamphela Ramphele, and Cosatu’s rival unions, to destabilise the government and the ANC.
According to the Mail & Guardian, Cosatu leaders at the central executive committee meeting demanded tough action against Vavi.
Cosatu affiliates initially demanded that he be put on special leave, pending the investigation, but the committee decided not to suspend him immediately, the Mail & Guardian said, quoting anonymous sources. - Sapa