The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday neither confirmed nor denied reports that Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi faced disciplinary charges for criticising the government.
“We are unable to comment on rumours or speculation because no decision has been public on the matter,” ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu told the South African Press Association.
“Until such time that such a decision is made public, only then can we publicly make an announcement.”
The ANC national working committee (NWC), its top leadership structure, held a closed meeting on Monday.
“The NWC did meet on Monday … if there are any decisions taken at NWC level that require being made public, then those decisions will be communicated to the media via statement or a media briefing,” said Sokutu.
Vavi last week accused President Jacob Zuma of not taking action against corrupt ministers, and singled out Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka and Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda — who is a member of the ANC NWC.
The Star said four independent sources in the ANC confirmed the NWC discussed pressing disciplinary charges against Vavi for ill-discipline.
Cosatu said on Tuesday that sources in the ANC had revealed plans by the party to lay charges against Vavi.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe did not want to be drawn into commenting on Tuesday, saying only that Vavi should show proof of charges being brought against him.
Silence
The ANC’s silence on the rumours seemed to fuel speculation, with several political parties and trade unions issuing statements to express “shock” at the reports.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) blamed a “reckless” grouping within the ANC.
“We simply just cannot believe that the ANC can take such a reckless decision which runs counter to the ANC’s own commitment to the alliance it leads,” SACP spokesperson Malesela Maleka said in a statement.
“If true, this reckless decision would have been pushed through … in the absence of a significant number of NWC members.”
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) was “angered” by the reports.
“The union will vehemently oppose any attempt by some corrupt and fascist elements within the ANC to silence our federation by targeting its general secretary, who speaks not for himself but for the millions of workers who elected him.”
Nehawu said workers would not “sit idle while their federation is being treated like a junior partner in the tripartite alliance”.
The union said the latest developments reminded it of the opposition Congress of the People (Cope) — an ANC breakaway movement currently embroiled in leadership squabbles. “These shenanigans are to be expected in organisations like Cope, but not a serious liberation movement that has been entrusted with the future of our country and that of its citizens,” said Nehawu.
‘Degenerating’
Cosatu in the Free State expressed “shock and disbelief”, while the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa said the ANC was “degenerating”.
A Business Day report suggested on Wednesday that the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) was pushing for charges to be brought against Vavi.
Its leader, Julius Malema, recently pleaded guilty at a disciplinary hearing.
Business Day speculated that the ANCYL wanted to put SACP chairperson and former trade unionist Gwede Mantashe in a “conflicted position” in attempts to eventually oust Mantashe.
Vavi told the SABC on Tuesday evening that a decision to charge him would split the tripartite alliance between the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP. — Sapa