Auditors to probe allegations against Vavi

Cosatu was briefing the media on Wednesday (29 May) after a meeting of its central executive committee (CEC), which focused largely on the internal woes of the federation.

The facilitated process to probe the political‚ organisational and administration issues - which started in February - would continue.

"The CEC agreed that it was of paramount importance to continue and speedily complete the process‚" said Vavi at a media briefing after the meeting.

There is no certainty that the agreed upon measures would be successful‚ as the last investigation had deadlocked and made no progress. "The difference this time will be that the facilitators have greater flexibility to probe the issues‚ including meeting with union leaders and affiliates in private," said Vavi.

Both sides blame the other for the failure of the last process. Supporters of Vavi say that when called upon to make representations to a panel of facilitators‚ his accusers declined‚ saying they would only provide evidence anonymously.

Vavi's detractors say that the panel was stillborn because Cosatu's secretariat - headed by Vavi - failed to implement the CEC's resolution as it was intended.

The appointment of the audit firm‚ Sizwe Ntsalubo Gobodo‚ is a fresh addition to the February resolution. Vavi has made a submission to the audit firm.

Vavi said the firm will conduct a forensic investigation into the general secretary's submission and the auditors are expected to conclude their report by June.

"Once the report is ready‚ the auditors will present it to a meeting of the presidents and general secretaries of affiliated unions without any delay‚" Vavi said.

The final report would be discussed by the union leadership in mid-July.

Vavi said Cosatu had made "enemies" among the rich and powerful due to its role as the "conscience of our young democracy". He also condemned the media for its "sensationalist" reporting on the troubles plaguing the federation.