COSATU clarifies statements

By Tina George
14 August 2007

The Congress of South African Trade Union welcomes the opportunity to clarify the General Secretary’s, Zwelinzima Vavi statement at the SACTWU congress on Saturday, referring to ‘deadwood’ and ministers ‘dying in office’.

“He has made it absolutely clear that this was in no way showing disrespect to those ministers who has in fact died in office,” says National spokesperson of COSATU, Patrick Craven.

The main thrust of the argument was in the context of the dismissal of the Deputy Minister of Health, Nozizwe Madladla Routledge which COSATU has strongly criticised.

“The point that the General Secretary was making in his speech is that why is it that the hardworking and successful Deputy Minister has been dismissed when others whom he described as ‘deadwood’ are performing to far lower standard and yet remain in office,” says Craven

In the conclusion of the General Secretary’s speech to the reason, it was that it can only be the differences in the HIV/AIDS policy.

Patrick added that they feel that this is precisely the area where the Deputy Minister was most successful in turning the situation around and uniting Government and civil society around a national strategic plan which has changed the way in which they are tackling this major crisis.