Cape Town – The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi has reportedly been accused by the union of carrying a gun to meetings.
According to Times Live, this was revealed in a Saftu internal document after the union gave Vavi until March 17 to respond to why he should not be immediately suspended.
Saftu accused Vavi of acts of misconduct and misbehaviour that warranted investigations and possible disciplinary action.
Amongst the accusations, Vavi was said to not being alive to the sensitivity around guns.
“At one meeting in Pretoria held at the Numsa office, the GS was carrying a gun. The second [Saftu) deputy president, Thabo Matsose, had raised concern about this gun,” the report quoted Saftu president Mac Chavalala as saying.
However, Vavi dismissed the claims that such concerns were raised but he did admit to carrying a gun, saying that he had always disclosed to his colleagues that he was armed.
ALSO READ: SAFTU seeks to suspend Zwelinzima Vavi, gives him until Thursday to respond
Fin24, on the other hand, reported that Saftu affiliate unions such as Democratic Transport Logistics and Allied Workers Union (Detawu), the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu), the Information Communication and Technology Union (ICTU), to name a few, rallied behind Vavi and rejected Saftu’s letter of suspension, saying that it was unconstitutional.
“We reject, with the contempt it deserves, the attempt by some officials of Saftu to usurp the powers of the NEC. The Saftu secretary-general cannot be suspended by his own colleges,” the report quoted Detawu secretary-general Vusi Ntshangase as saying.
He continued: “We have directed the SG to disregard the letter of the intention to place him on precautionary suspension. We have encouraged him to continue with his duties as if nothing has happened”.
The Saftu NEC is scheduled to meet next week in Boksburg.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
