The Mail & Guardian revealed last week that National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) shop steward Zingiswa Losi, who is also Cosatu's second deputy president, had been suspended. Her local Port Elizabeth branch alleged that she had brought Numsa into disrepute.
At the time, Numsa said it would not respond to "rumours".
The M&G has seen two letters confirming Losi's suspension, effective from September 26. On Tuesday, Numsa's Port Elizabeth branch secretary, Bandla Mtshiselwa, confirmed the letter.
He said Losi was suspended in her capacity as a full-time shop steward at Ford Motor Company. On Friday, Losi told the M&G she had not received notice of her suspension.
But Mtshiselwa said, "A letter of suspension was sent to comrade Losi on Wednesday September 26 2013. She will appear before a disciplinary committee in line with the union's constitution and disciplinary code of conduct."
He added that Numsa would not deal with the merits of the case against Losi publicly.
"We strongly believe that her suspension is an internal and organisational matter," he said.
Vavi's supporters
?Losi is perceived to be close to Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini, and the faction considered more sympathetic to President Jacob Zuma, and less critical of government.
Last week, the M&G reported that Losi was one of three senior leaders in Cosatu who Vavi's supporters want to see axed from their positions at a special Cosatu congress.
The M&G reported that Cosatu would rally for the ANC in spite of the fact that President Zuma signed the contentious e-tolls Bill into law this week.
Losi said campaigning for the ANC was a Cosatu resolution that could only be changed at a conference. – Additional reporting by Matuma Letsoalo