Johannesburg - Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has dismissed as untrue media reports that the labour federation's central executive committee (CEC) was investigating him on allegations of financial impropriety.
He was responding on Thursday to a report on the Mail & Guardian's website that he is to be investigated over a number of allegations, including financial impropriety relating to Cosatu's new R50 million, nine-storey head office building in Joburg.
The newspaper reported on its website that the investigation related to the acquisition of the union federation's new building as well as the sale of the previous building.
Vavi laughed off the report on Thursday that he had been reduced to tears at the meeting and had had no support from Cosatu affiliates.
At a media briefing to discuss the outcomes of a three-day CEC meeting, Vavi denied he had been the subject of an investigation.
He said the allegation was created by people who had "twisted internal matters" with "ulterior motives to create havoc and divisions in the organisation".
Vavi challenged those who reported on the allegations to come forward with evidence.
"If they're saying there's a problem with the sale of the old building, they must give you proof... they can't, because facts are twisted."
He reiterated a statement he made before that he would step down from his position if evidence of wrongdoing was presented, adding that corruption on his part would be "the worst betrayal of Cosatu members".
The media heard at the briefing that there had been a "frank and robust debate based on the report tabled in the meeting of Cosatu-affiliated unions' presidents and general secretaries".
A statement given out said the CEC had "mandated this body to continue the discussion and to bring in independent persons to facilitate further discussions that are necessary to address all issues raised in the meeting.
"There is, however, no truth to the suggestions that the Cosatu general secretary is under investigation for financial impropriety or any other reason," it said.
"The CEC strongly condemns the factional leaking of internal debates which get twisted in the media."
Cosatu refused to divulge details on the issues to be discussed under independent facilitation.
Asked why independent people had been called in to oversee Cosatu discussions, Vavi said: "The purpose of the discussions will be better served if not chaired by myself or (Cosatu president S'dumo Dlamini)."
Some of his anti-corruption views excerpts from Zwelinzima Vavi's anti-corruption addresses
Addressing the NUM Collective Bargaining Conference on February 7, 2013: "We must leave no stone unturned to find out the truth in every instance where an allegation is made.
"We cannot be calling on government to take action against corruption and then sweep it under the carpet in our own house."
Vavi during a tribute to Joe Slovo, January 6, 2013: "One of the biggest challenges we face is the emergence of greed and self-centredness, which makes individuals pursue personal glory and wealth at the expense ofthe interests of the many. It is the rise of selfishness that breeds corruption, cliquism and/or factionalism and slate politics."
Vavi on his appointment as chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Forum (NACF), December 10, 2012: "The fight to defeat corruption is one we cannot afford to lose. The old meaning of the word is the process of decay and putrefaction of a formerly living organism."
Vavi addressing Saccawu's National Bargaining Conference, July 18, 2012, Centurion: "If corruption is not defeated, it will indeed mean the decay and ultimately the death of the living body of our democracy.
"For some it is a matter of life and death, as people are being literally killed for exposing and preventing corruption.
"The modern sense of 'corruption' is defined as the 'dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery, or the action or effect of making someone or something morally depraved'.
"But it is no less urgent to crack down on those in private business who collaborate in the misappropriation of public funds. We must never forget that for every public official who accepts a bribe there is a business person who gives it.
"Corruption is wreaking untold damage on the moral fibre of the nation. If we do not have the political will to deal with this collapse in morality within society and cannot resolve this crisis, no one will take us seriously when we say we are opposed to corruption.
"My pledge as a chair (of the NACF) is to develop a new sense of partnership - a new people-based campaign that must involve ordinary people to wage a relentless war against corruption.
"Cosatu has been in the vanguard of the fight to root out the corrupt elements that are hell-bent on hijacking our movements for personal gain."
poloko.tau@inl.co.za
The Star
IOLSA
This matter should be investigated and forgotten. It is taking too long