Fw: [COSATU Press] Statement from the Nine COSATU Affiliates Campaigning for a Special National Congress and Reinstatement of Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi

[Ashley Fataar]

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Subject: [COSATU Press] Statement from the Nine COSATU Affiliates Campaigning for a Special National Congress and Reinstatement of Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi
Sent: Feb 17, 2014 09:06

 
 
Statement from the Nine COSATU Affiliates Campaigning for a Special National Congress and the Reinstatement of Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi: 15 February 2014
The outcome of the Special CEC of COSATU that was shunned by those affiliates who had formally called for a Special National Congress has confirmed our worst fears. The current leadership faction that currently controls the boardroom manipulated the quorum, the agenda and the discussion to reach outcomes that have nothing to do with protecting the rights of workers or their organisations. It is clear that this faction is prepared to sacrifice COSATU and turn it into a toothless giant in order to please its political masters. We cannot and will not allow this to happen without a determined struggle and we believe that we have the support of the majority of COSATU workers.
The unions stayed away from the Special CEC because they believed it was inappropriate to hold it when a scheduled CEC was planned two weeks later. They were also deeply concerned about the way CEC and other meetings and agendas are manipulated at the last minute in order to limit discussion and to bulldoze through decisions in a bureaucratic manner.
It should be stated from the outset however, that the collective purpose of all nine unions, as outlined at the press conference in February, is to revitalize and regenerate a strong, independent and democratic COSATU, capable of defending and improving the living standards of the working class and the poor.  This remains our principle aim despite the divisive misinformation coming forth from COSATU House.  
Refusing the Call for a SNC:  A Blatant Betrayal of the COSATU Constitution
The wholly legitimate constitutional call for a Special National Conference has been denied. The reasons given are that it cannot be financed, and that it will distract from the ANC election campaign. The ruling faction of the current leadership has now been fully exposed. They are prepared to ride roughshod over the most important statute that governs COSATU, namely