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Johannesburg - South Africans must be fair to the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) regarding its decision to expel general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, the trade union federation's president Sidumo Dlamini said on Thursday.
"You people [the media] were aware of his position... that he was not going to appear in any meeting of Cosatu including the central executive committee, which wanted him to explain his position on why he was boycotting work and the CEC," Dlamini told Fin24.
"He told everyone in the world."
He said Cosatu had served Vavi with a dismissal letter but the ousted general secretary had not responded yet.
Dlamini said he heard through the media that Vavi was claiming his expulsion was illegal and unfair.
READ: Vavi: Expulsion from Cosatu was unfair, illegal
Vavi addressed a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday following his expulsion. He was joined by the leaders of some Cosatu affiliates who were supporting him.
READ: Seven unions come out in support of Vavi
"I am... in consultations on whether or not I should challenge my extremely irregular, illegal and completely unjustified expulsion as general secretary of Cosatu," Vavi told reporters.
"I have no doubt that the dismissal is unfair and illegal. I have been dismissed without a hearing conducted by an independent chairperson."
Vavi was expelled at a special CEC meeting held on Monday. Vavi boycotted the meeting.
READ: Vavi waived his rights by boycotting - Cosatu
He was reportedly removed through a vote, where 31 CEC members voted for his expulsion while one member voted against it.
Vavi said the CEC, which he believed was populated by a faction, had been baying for his blood since 2012.
Last year, the African National Congress established a task team to help Cosatu deal with its internal fighting.
When approached for comment on Thursday, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said he would not be discussing Cosatu.
Dlamini on Thursday said Vavi was not on the "campaign trail" for his alternative new home. He said Vavi and former Cosatu national spokesperson Patrick Craven were working at Corruption Watch.
Craven announced his resignation from the trade union federation on Wednesday.
READ: Craven quits Cosatu following Vavi's expulsion
He said he could not "defend the indefensible".
Dlamini said Cosatu had accepted Craven's resignation.
"We sympathise with him; I think he couldn't take it when the CEC took the decision to expel the general secretary.
"I could see he was struggling lately. He was struggling to put forward Cosatu's positions," he said.
He said Cosatu would be looking for someone who could communicate the federation's views to replace the long-time spokesperson.
Dlamini wished Craven well.
