Key players in the saga involving a reported bid by some African National Congress (ANC) leaders to sanction Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) heavyweight Zwelinzima Vavi were tight-lipped about new rumours on Tuesday.
Business Day reported that ANC leaders, after a meeting of the national working committee on Monday, decided to drop plans to lodge disciplinary action against Vavi, the general secretary of Cosatu.
But ANC spokesperson Ishmael Semenya said the ruling party was not commenting on the matter.
“We’re not speaking on this issue,” Semenya told the South African Press Association.
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said he did not know if the Business Day report was true.
“If it is true, it would be welcomed,” said Craven.
Last week, trade unions rallied behind Vavi amid reports that he might face charges of ill-discipline for accusing President Jacob Zuma of not taking action against allegedly corrupt ministers. Vavi singled out Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka and Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda.
At the time, Craven said Cosatu had heard from sources that the ANC was indeed considering disciplining Vavi.
Business Day suggested that ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was behind the campaign against Vavi.
The tripartite alliance, comprising the ANC, South African Communist Party and Cosatu, was scheduled to hold a political council meeting on Tuesday. — Sapa