Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi expressed shame on Tuesday over how an apparent disappearance of an South African Communist Party donation had been handled.
”We think the whole matter is such a clumsy disgrace to our movement. It should have been handled completely differently,” Vavi told South African Broadcasting Corporation radio news.
”It’s absolutely an embarrassment that senior leaders of our movement, who our members respect, are trading accusations and insults on public radio. … We are all ashamed.”
Vavi said the matter would now be handled as a criminal investigation.
Businessman Charles Modise has claimed SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande embezzled a R500 000 donation he made to the SACP in March 2002.
The money was to be used to pay rent, telephone bills and staff salaries but instead apparently did not reach the party’s treasurer or bank account.
Earlier on Tuesday, Cosatu president Willie Madisha confirmed giving a R500 000 donation from Modise to the ”relevant person”.
This person is allegedly Nzimande. Madisha has declined to name the individual who received the money from him.
Former SACP treasurer Phillip Dexter confirmed on Tuesday giving a report to the police about the alleged mishandling of the donation.
Dexter said he could not comment further as police now regarded him as a witness.
On Monday, the Young Communist League said the embezzlement allegations were part of a smear campaign against Nzimande. – Sapa