Share

Cosatu's anti-ANC tirades

WHAT is Zwelinzima Vavi, trade federation Cosatu's general secretary, trying to achieve with his tirades against the ANC?

Yes, everyone will concur with his gripes over service delivery, government corruption and the ANC's leadership shortcomings. But it doesn't exactly look like the ANC is denying the accusations.

The question is how it will all be put right. And this is where Vavi and Cosatu, sceptics will say, are low on detail.

This week, someone at the Cosatu conference put Vavi on the spot in this regard.

He responded by saying that corruption and mismanagement can be salvaged within a couple of days. But what is really needed, Vavi said, are leaders who can go to the Eastern Cape, ask who was responsible for the collapse of the education system – and then fire that person on the spot.

"Because the cost of the education has been absolutely horrific. And it undermines any credibility our movement still has in the eyes of the population. Feeding schemes have been stopped, children walk kilometers to school."

More than 6 300 temporary teachers have been removed from their posts, with thousands of children who haven't had any education for weeks on end.

He also issued a warning about the health system. In some hospitals in the Eastern Cape there aren't any crutches, and babies are simply left to die.

Vavi pointed to three reports which showed that the previous mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, now chair of the ANC, contributed to paralysing the metro's financial position.

He then proceeded to lash out at the convention that people simply remain in their positions while corruption allegations against them are being investigated.

"We contributed to this culture, but we have to say: No." When someone is faced with a serious allegation and that person remains in his post, it sends only one message to the people – no one is inclined to take decisive steps to defend South Africans' interests.

Engrossed in succession battles

He singled out the chairperson of the ANC in the Northern Cape, John Block. Vavi said Block couldn't remain an MEC and ANC chair given the allegations against him – and the possibility that he could use his political power to undermine the legal process.

Vavi is, of course, in the right. But it will take a political solution to sort out the problem – not a legal process.

The reason why these outrageous things are happening is because the ANC leaders are engrossed in the battle for a successor to President Jacob Zuma.

The ANC's secretariat – Gwede Mantashe, the secretary general – has to ensure that crooks are not taking shelter in the party structure against prosecution.

Mantashe has an excellent track record in this regard, from his time in Cosatu when he was head of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Why can't he take action against people like Block?

ANC insiders say it is because he is being undermined by three other national office bearers: Mathews Phosa (treasurer), Baleka Mbete (national chairperson) and Thandi Modise (deputy secretary general).

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is simply not politically adept enough to back Mantashe and Zuma has, alas, his own skeletons in the closet. The president won't fight corruption if there's opposition from his closest supporters.

Apparently Mantashe tried to take action in the past, but has now given up. He is a skilled political street fighter, but those close to him say it doesn't look like he wants to keep his position when it comes up for a re-election in a year-and-a-half.

But 18 months are a long time in politics. It will only start playing out when the succession battles start in all earnest.

The question remains what Vavi and Cosatu could do to change the situation.

Cosatu remains loyal to the tripartite alliance, but the bonds have weakened in the 15 years since the first open confrontation over the so-called 1996 class project – former president Thabo Mbeki's macroeconomic policy as it is known in Cosatu speak.

Unlike previous clashes between Cosatu and the ANC, no one is talking about a possible breakdown in the alliance. This is probably because this time it concerns interests – not policy.

The largest unions in Cosatu are not really throwing their full weight behind Vavi.

The National Union of Mineworkers is not at all happy about Vavi's pronouncements this week.

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union is more satisfied, as is the National Union of Metalworkers, whose general secretary, Irvin Jim, wants to be Vavi's successor.

Vavi maintains he doesn't want to ignite a succession debate, and that the current leaders have to fix what went wrong. But he knows, like we all do, that the fish has started to rot from the head down.

The best Vavi can hope for is that Zuma declares as soon as possible that he won't be available for a second presidential term.

He can't dare say it aloud, because it will divide Cosatu. But this is what he was aiming for with his sharp criticism this week.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.95
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.96
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.46
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.3%
Platinum
911.00
+1.6%
Palladium
1,012.02
+1.0%
Gold
2,214.22
+0.9%
Silver
24.75
+0.4%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders