Labour Wrap: Who's behind attack on Madonsela?

Cape Town - There is nothing new in the seemingly paranoid attack on public protector Thuli Madonsela by deputy defence minister Kebby Maphatsoe, says Terry Bell in his latest Labour Wrap. 

He points out that two leading trade unionists, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim have been abused in a similar way.

And, he points out, there is a long history, extending to the exile years, of this sort of abuse and the sometimes tragic consequences flowing from it. The root of it, he says, is the arrogant belief that a single organisation and its leadership comprise the “only true representatives of the people”.

The pattern to the abuse, he says, has remained unchanged over decades. It invariably proclaims the existence of a conspiracy involving ”imperialists” and/or “right-wing forces”. In this case, the accusations are aimed at “renegade” trade unionists and the public protector along with opposition parties such as the DA and EFF.

The source of much of this abuse, says Bell, is leading members and acolytes of the SA Communist Party that has warned that “counter revolutionary forces” will “not emerge unscathed” when “our movement responds”.

The background to this and why it is important to understand what is happening will be the focus of this week’s Inside Labour column.

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What is your take? Add your voice to the debate or take part in our Q&A with Terry Bell.