He’s not going anywhere! SAFTU unions come to Vavi’s defence

A number of unions affiliated to the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) have vowed to stand by its embattled general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, as he faces possible suspension.

The suspension letter has been doing the rounds on social media and is dated 15 March 2022. In it, SAFTU President Mac Chavalala notes that there are “quite a number of transgressions” against him, which are tantamount to misconduct and misbehaviour.

Vavi had been given until Thursday, 17 March 2022, yesterday to provide reasons why he should not be placed on precautionary suspension following allegations of misconduct and misbehaviour.

But 14 unions under SAFTU disagree, including Nupsaw, DETAWU and FAWU, and have called on Vavi to disregard the suspension letter. Vavi is accused of having misused the federation’s credit card.

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VAVI STILL REPORTING FOR DUTY

Briefing media on Friday, 18 March 2022, DETAWU general secretary Vusi Ntshangase says only the NEC has the powers to suspend Zwelinzima Vavi, thus deeming the letter by Chavalala as unlawful.

“The SAFTU general secretary cannot be suspended by his own colleagues. That power to take disciplinary action is a preserve and a sole prerogative of the National Executive Committee (NEC), of which we are members. We place it on record, that as affiliates, we have directed the general secretary to disregard the unconstitutional and unmandated letter of intent to place him on suspension”

DETAWU general secretary Vusi Ntshangase

Ntshangase says they have encouraged Vavi to continue with his office duties as he always has. He says he spoke to Vavi, whom, despite the deadline imposed on him, is still at work.

“The letter is mischievous and malicious as it sought to portray and smear the Saftu general secretary as possibly corrupt, and to face a possible suspension to answer to a series of so-called misdemeanours including trampling on the Saftu constitution, undermining the decisions of the constitutional structures, assuming the national congress, central committee and the national executive committee,”

DETAWU general secretary Vusi Ntshangase

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