The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SATFU) has suspended four top officials including its president, Mac Chavalala, over attempts to act against General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi who was accused of abusing funds.
The announcement was made by the SAFTU National Executive Committee (NEC) at a media briefing on Sunday.
The NEC said said the attempt by the SAFTU president to suspend the federation’s Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi was a “delinquent act”.
The NEC, which is the supreme body of SAFTU above the national office bearers, said there was no evidence produced regarding the alleged offences that Vavi had been accused of.
At the SAFTU NEC meeting that took the decision to suspend the national office bearers, Chavalala apologised for trying to suspend Vavi.
However, the president’s apology was considered “insincere”.
As a result, Chavalala and three other office bearers – 2nd Deputy President Thabo Matsose, Deputy General Secretary Phakedi Moleko and National Treasurer Motshwari Lecogo – were accused of bringing SAFTU into disrepute and were immediately suspended.
The NEC said the suspension would remain in force until the next Central Committee meeting. It also said the allegations levelled against Vavi would be investigated.
