Cape Town 020313 The COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi addresses at the SACTWU's Annual bargaining conference at the Nelson Mandela garden Court Hotel. picture : neil baynes Cape Town 020313 The COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi addresses at the SACTWU's Annual bargaining conference at the Nelson Mandela garden Court Hotel. picture : neil baynes
Johannesburg - The woman who accused Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi of rape has withdrawn her complaint, the trade union federation said on Monday.
“I can confirm that she has withdrawn the complaint, more on that matter will follow shortly from Cosatu,” said Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) spokesman Patrick Craven.
Vavi himself tweeted in the afternoon: “The complainant withdrew the 'grievance' after just 2hrs into the process. Thanks to so many who supported my family. Statement following.”
Vavi has admitted to having an extramarital affair with a married woman who was employed by the Cosatu, and claimed she later tried to extort R2 million from him.
He denied raping her, and said the sex was consensual. However, she brought a complaint of sexual harassment against him. The internal grievance proceeding commenced on Monday morning.
“DIRTY TACTICS”
Earlier on Monday, unions said that the rape allegations against Vavi were part of a “dirty tactics” campaign by his political opponents within Cosatu to destroy him.
“The timing of this claim is worrying and it reinforces our long-held view that a sinister campaign is being used to push Vavi out from his elected position for narrow political and selfish ends,” the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said in a statement.
“We fully support Vavi during this difficult and testing period since he has not been found guilty by any court.”
Numsa said Vavi's public apology about the matter was a sign of his bravery and courageous leadership style.
However, the union viewed rape as a serious offence and encouraged Vavi's accuser to open a case with the police.
The SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) said Vavi was being targeted because he had “dared to speak the truth to power”.
“He (Vavi) has dared to speak the truth on unemployment, the absence of service delivery, corruption, and many other issues... and in so doing, has incurred the wrath of those with career ambitions,” the Samwu said in a statement. -Sapa