Labour federation Cosatu is considering bringing in veteran mediator and respected labour lawyer Charles Nupen to head a commission of inquiry into the conduct of its president, Willie Madisha.
The probe relates to the controversy surrounding the unaccounted-for R500 000 donated to the South African Communist Party via its leader, Blade Nzimande.
Several Cosatu leaders who attended the federation’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting last week told the Mail & Guardian Nupen had been suggested by most leaders as a preferred independent candidate to head the commission. However, the CEC left it to Cosatu’s national office-bearers to facilitate the process.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi could not confirm Nupen’s name, but said the commission would consist of people independent of Cosatu.
‘We are trying our best to ensure that the commission consists of people who are seen to be independent,†said Vavi.
Approached for comment, Nupen said: ‘I’ve heard that as well, but I have not been formally approached by Cosatu.â€
Madisha, who has been under fire since he publicly confirmed that he gave Nzimande the money donated by controversial businessperson Charles Modise, stepped down as Cosatu president last week to allow the investigation to go ahead.
An investigation conducted by the SACP has already found there was no concrete evidence to substantiate Madisha’s allegations against Nzimande.
However, sources within Cosatu said Madisha maintained he gave the money to Nzimande and that there were witnesses who could attest to that.
‘He told us that the donation was intended to pay salaries for SACP employees, rentals and phone costs.â€
Cosatu leaders have criticised Madisha for his public pronouncements on the donation saga and his public declaration that he would no longer make himself available for leadership positions in the federation.
‘This announcement in the middle of this controversy was unfortunate more so because it was never raised in the CEC,†said Vavi.
Vavi rejected media reports that he tried to persuade Cosatu’s provincial structures and national office-bearers to act unconstitutionally by voting Madisha out of office.
‘That’s nonsense. These allegations are spread by people who are desparate to tarnish my name and that of Cosatu,†said Vavi.
He said CEC members were going to vote through ballots. ‘Obviously individuals were going to vote. It never happened before that Cosatu unions voted as a block.â€
Vavi said the commission of inquiry would look at the extent to which the SACP saga had led to the destruction of trust between Cosatu office bearers. It will also look at the extent to which the R500 000 scandal has damaged the reputation of Madisha and that of Cosatu. The commission is expected to report back to the CEC some time next month.