Vavi gets the short shrift from Cosatu

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) will financially support expelled Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

The union, also expelled, was already supplying Vavi with security.

Treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo yesterday said Vavi was being protected by Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim’s bodyguard.

Vavi’s Cosatu cellphone number was discontinued yesterday, and the federation’s leadership instructed him to return all its property.

Cosatu deputy general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said Vavi’s conduct constituted gross misconduct.

“ ... reduces the federation to his own entity where he can do as he wishes.” He said no Cosatu affiliate should invite Vavi to address their members and the federation’s communication would be protected against interceptions and hacking. Vavi would have access into Cosatu House only to clear his office.

Vavi cannot appeal his expulsion until the Cosatu national congress in September.

Vavi entered the union movement via the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1998 in the former Western Transvaal (now North West province). He later became NUM’s regional secretary.

• In 1992 he moved to Cosatu as a national organiser. From 1993 to 1999 he was deputy general secretary.
• In 1999 he succeeded Mbhazima Shilowa as general secretary, the position he held until he was expelled.
• September 17 2012: Vavi is re-elected unopposed. The leadership vows to focus on healing rifts over the ANC leadership in Mangaung.
• August 14 2013: After a 10-hour meeting Cosatu’s central executive committee (CEC) suspends Vavi for having an affair with a woman he appointed to work at Cosatu House.

The suspension was lifted in April 2014 after a court case

• November 2014: Vavi boycotts a press conference where the expulsion of Numsa is announced.
• March 2 2015: Vavi boycotts a CEC meeting, citing lack of unity.
• March 5 2015: Cosatu CEC gives Vavi one last chance to explain himself before action is taken against officials implicated in a probe into the acquisition of Cosatu’s headquarters. The CEC announces that a forensic report has implicated Vavi.
• March 28 2015: Vavi says he has an important announcement to make to the press.
• March 29 2015: Vavi announces he will not resign, labels other leaders as corrupters and says he will go back to grassroots unity in Cosatu.
• March 30 2015: Vavi is expelled after snubbing another meeting in which he was expected to explain himself over the forensic report.