Vavi gets flak over 'lack of leadership'

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has blamed a lack of leadership by Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi for its row with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), the Sunday Independent reported.

Earlier this month, Numsa claimed that the life of its leader Irvin Jim had been threatened.

NUM officials accused Numsa of creating the impression that the threat arose from a disagreement between Jim and NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni. The NUM is Cosatu’s biggest affiliate.

The newspaper reported that with Vavi retiring next year, his successor would be expected to lead the charge against African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Gwede Mantashe and President Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s national conference in Mangaung.

Last week, Cosatu issued two statements asking its affiliates not to take part in the succession debate.

In another statement Cosatu condemned “premature succession debates” and called on affiliates to deal with issues in the proper structures, rather than through the media.

‘Nonsense’
NUM officials told the Sunday Independent they were angered at Vavi’s failure to rebuke Numsa over the assassination plot claims.

His silence was seen as tacit support for Jim’s appointment as the next head of Cosatu.

Jim is also apparently an ANC Youth League ally.

Vavi dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”.

“We issued a statement on Sunday to deal with the Numsa statement ... What more can you do?” he asked.

The NUM favours National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) leader Fikile “Slovo” Majola as the next Cosatu general secretary, the newspaper reported.

On Saturday, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa denied reports that he had been asked to provide security for Jim.—Sapa