Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has tested positive for COVID-19.
File Photo: John Wessels/AFP
Are Vavi’s days numbered? SAFTU seeks to SUSPEND general secretary
SAFTU’s Zwelinzima Vavi has been given until Thursday, 17 March, to explain why he shouldn’t be suspended over “transgressions”
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has tested positive for COVID-19.
File Photo: John Wessels/AFP
The South African Federation of Trade Unions’ (SAFTU) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi could be out the door, as the trade federation have handed him a letter, asking that he give reasons as to why he should not be suspended.
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.
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CAN VAVI AVOID BEING SUSPENDED BY SAFTU?
Chavalala says the allegations levelled against Zwelinzima Vavi warrant SAFTU launching an investigation against him and possibly implementing disciplinary proceedings. It isn’t clear whether Vavi could lose his job, should they find against him.
He has until Thursday, 17 March 2022, to defend himself and possibly avoid suspension.
“This there serves to inform you that you are requested to give reasons why you shouldn’t be placed under precautionary suspension, whilst the investigations take place.
These investigations will, amongst others, be about the alleged violations of the constitution, breach of administration and finance policy and disrespecting/undermining constitutional decisions and resolution,”
SAFTU President Mac Chavalala
The South African attempted to get hold of Vavi for comment, but phone calls went unanswered.
It isn’t exactly clear what Vavi is accused of, but he has previously been at the centre of a sex scandal.
Sowetan reported in 2018 that a woman who worked as a cleaner affiliated to the National Union of of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) filed a sexual harassment complaint against the union leader. The woman claimed that Vavi would come to work early and ask her to massage his legs and feet. During one incident, he allegedly asked to touch her neck and back because she was stressed. That’s not all, she alleged that in a seperate incident, Vavi touched her breast and asked if he was going to get it.
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