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Cosatu to 'interrogate' forensic reports

Johannesburg - Cosatu will study two forensic reports on the union federation and if necessary point out illegal activities to law enforcement agencies.

"Where there are issues of fraud and corruption... they must be reported to the law enforcement agencies accordingly," Congress of SA Trade Unions deputy general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"We must interrogate the two reports and seek legal and expert advice where necessary."

Earlier, Ntshalintshali said a special central executive committee (CEC) meeting held on Monday and Tuesday had decided to dismiss general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi with immediate effect.

READ: Vavi waived his rights by boycotting - Cosatu

"The conduct of the general secretary constitutes gross misconduct," he said.

"Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi is dismissed as the general secretary of Cosatu with immediate effect."

Vavi was told of his dismissal and advised he could appeal it, in line with the federation's constitution.

Founding fathers turning in their graves

Meanwhile Congress of the People (Cope) on Tuesday said Cosatu's founding fathers must be turning in their graves following the dismissal.

"In 2007, I walked the same path. I have no doubt the founding fathers of this great labour giant must be turning in their graves considering how selfishness and greed for wealth have destroyed their hard work," Cope deputy president Willie Madisha said in a statement.

Madisha, a former Congress of SA Trade Unions president, fired by the trade union federation in February 2008, said Cosatu was formed to take up workers' problems, challenges and grievances on the shop floor.

"Over time, the federation lost direction and became just another political party," he said.

"It forgot the purpose of its formation. No more did the workers matter for the present Cosatu leadership."

Madisha said Cosatu was contaminated by political interference.

"Once Cosatu leaders were co-opted into top positions within the ANC, after becoming Members of Parliament representing the ANC, they steered a different course," Madisha said.

"Vavi was against Cosatu being swallowed up by the ANC or any other political party. He was also outspoken in his condemnation of corruption in government."

Madisha said if Cosatu wanted to remain relevant, it had to return to its founding principles and represent workers' interests.

"A union federation must champion the cause of workers, not that of the capitalist class," he said.

"We in the Congress of the People reiterate our consistent policy position that trade unions must remain independent of political parties."


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