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COMRADES: Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini at the federation's offices in Braamfontein yesterday. PHOTO: BUSISIWE MBATHA.

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Vavi yesterday said union leaders who served on structures such as the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) risked causing confusion among workers and compromising their independence.

"It will compromise the individual concerned because of obvious reasons. When the ANC moves in any direction all of its leaders must without exception move in that direction."

This, Vavi said, could cause conflict if Cosatu's central committee, its highest decision-making body in between congresses, contradicted the ruling party.

"If you are also the face of the other organisation, when you now turn around to reflect the new mandate, people will be confused."

Vavi was addressing journalists in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, after the opening of Cosatu's new headquarters. He was responding to Zuma, who had earlier called for the labour federation's leaders to avail themselves for election onto the ruling party's NEC.

Zuma was guest speaker at the event which was attended by leaders of Cosatu affiliates, and who are also members of the federation's central executive committee.

Zuma had earlier said: "It is the weakness for workers not to be in the ANC and influence the direction of the ANC. Because its policies and programme could be influenced by others who are part of this broad church.

"Not just in the branch region or zone or province but at a place where decisions are taken, the NEC," he said.

"We may at times differ on strategies and tactics of achieving a prosperous South Africa, but as members of the alliance our objectives remain the same.

"The ANC as a disciplined force of the left with a bias towards the poor and the working class needs to continue working with Cosatu and the SACP and to continue with the tradition of facing challenges together."

Although Cosatu has declared its support to the current ANC leadership, there are talks about whether to back their re-election at the party's elective conference in December.

At the ANC's 52nd conference in Polokwane, Vavi rejected nomination to serve on the ANC's NEC. Zuma has urged for closer cooperation between Cosatu and the ANC, citing historical ties in the fight against apartheid.

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Thu May 23 10:43:02 SAST 2013 ::

Mar 1, 2012

ThirdEye

Zuma started to tell the Unions that he is a worker, now he is inviting it leaders to be part of ANC NEC. This is a clear attempt of making them not be against him in Mangaung.

I remain proud of C'de Vavi because he is still unshaken unluck Blade. As for Zuma, it will be very hard to outsmart us.
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Mar 1, 2012

KeRataBasadi

Good for you Vavi, Shower is under the impression that he can buy anyone, Yes.. everyone has a price but some are cheaper than others, so it appears you are the expensive type.
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Mar 1, 2012

Papage

Now that he fired Malema, he is scared, want protection, sorry Baba, Vavi is a Unionist, he negotiate for workers, how will he do that if he is in your boots, it will be " A confict of Interest" Do you know what Governance IS?
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Mar 1, 2012

tumzangwana

good on you ntate vavi for standing your ground. now that juju is gone we shall see in mangaung who is going to k!ll for zuma.
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Mar 1, 2012

Hosinkulu

Vavi for President
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Mar 1, 2012

Mr.Sakanyoka8

VAVI

vavi is a chiwawa who like making too much useless noise to attract idiots who think he is on there side,what ive realised about this thing called vavi is he keep quit to waigh options to see what ppl admire or choose or say about ANC....we miss ppl like bo WILLY MADISHA ppl who we strong and tough
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Mar 1, 2012

somaartakeit

Cosatu should start a Labour Party and contest gen elections

zuma shame had his hopes raised high yesterday when he was allowed to open Cosatu HQ he taught he has them on the leash so he can use them to garner power for his second term presidency, the road show to mangaung is going to be a not to be missed, I am stocking up on pop corns, lol,
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Mar 1, 2012

GrRRRpha

Viva Vavi. Wise decision. Look @ Blade Nzimande, he forgot he is a socialist, he now represents capitalist. He said he the government for subsidising the etoll, people should pay and in a socialist environment people dont have to pay.
Once you join the NEC what happens to idiologist of the constituency that you represent
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Mar 1, 2012

MMD

Viva c'de VAVI viva...if u agree then ur bias. they want to sweep u away from us(the poorest) so they drive this country away. that crook
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Mar 1, 2012

somaartakeit

@GrRRRpha don't celebrate so quickly afterall this Vavi we're talking about alongside malema he promised to k!ll for zuma, I think now he just doesn't want to play all his cards before zuma make good by his promises from the time of plkn, the Vavis don't care for the plight of the poor if they did, he would have never backed a corrupt tainted horse to the presidency, I know Mbeki had to go, but that was no reason to replace him with someone like zuma, we are in this corruption mess partly due to Vavi amongst others.
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