LIMUSA statement on the allegations against Mr. Vavi

[LIMUSA Press Statements]

Press Statement

 

28 September 2018

 

LIMUSA statement on the allegations against Mr. Vavi

 

The Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa has noted reports of sexual harassment levelled against General Secretary of SAFTU, Mr Zwelinzima Vavi.

 

We condemn any form of sexual harassment and sexual abuse on women. It has become common practice in our society that men who occupy positions of power are always protected after committing such disgraceful acts which reduces women to being sub-humans. We believe that women have the right to say no and no man has the right to force themselves on women.

 

The victim of such pathetic acts allegedly attributed to Zwelinzima Vavi has the right to be heard, more especially that these are similar acts as to why Vavi was rejected by the workers of COSATU in the first place. Moreover, the alleged perpetrator has a tendency of labelling his victims whenever women voice out their frustrations of him forcing himself on them.

 

Previously, the so-called biggest union, which in reality is a general union, disguised Vavi’s actions as a plot levelled against him. We will observe the attitude of this union in this scenario as it is also alleged that leaders of the pseudo working class formation, yet in reality a pseudo federation affiliated to the so called biggest union and not the other way around as it seems, are said to have tried protecting Vavi against the victim and it is also said that they tried swiping the scenario under the carpet.

 

Even though we believe in the principle of our constitutional democracy that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, however we also believe that justice cannot be abandoned merely because populists who recognise themselves as powerful are the ones who have allegedly abused poor working women in our society who seeks nothing but to provide for their families.

 

It is pathetic and disheartening that all these women who have voiced out their victimization by the alleged perpetrator suffer from such evil acts in places which in reality should protect workers and champion their interests.

 

We will make it our duty to protect women in our society. We therefore appeal to the conscious of SAFTU members to not allow those who claim to be powerful to get away with victimizing women. We will observe all events surrounding this matter and shall not allow further victimization of the cleaner who came to work to be victimized.

 

We call on gender activists and progressive organizations to condemn such acts by Mr. Vavi and unite is taking such perpetrators head on.

 

Issued by LIMUSA.

 

For more information contact:

Dloze Matooane (National Spokesperson)

065 819 6793 or email: dloze.m...@limusa.org

Twitter: @LIMUSA_media

Facebook: LIMUSA