Star's misleading headline 05 - 05 - 06

 

Statement by Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of COSATU

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted with regret the misrepresentation and sensationalised reporting in The Star's front-page article on 5 May 2006, in particular the headline and billboards, which say "Cosatu turns on JZ".

The way in which the interview with COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi is presented and packaged gives a seriously misleading impression that COSATU has changed its view on the Jacob Zuma rape trial and its attitude towards the ANC Deputy President.

COSATU has not made a "dramatic change of tone", or "turned on" the Deputy President of the ANC, as alleged in the article. There is no change in our position. The federation has always said that in relation to the rape trial that the law must take its course, and that remains our view. The General Secretary was merely pointing to some of the consequences which would inevitably follow a guilty verdict, if that is the outcome of the trial.

COSATU has repeatedly stated that if Jacob Zuma is found guilty of rape, like any one, he would have to pay. But the COSATU General Secretary told the newspaper that by the same token, if he is not found guilty he should return to his position. He called on everyone, in particular the media, to accept the verdict of the judge.

This is consistent with the COSATU November 2005 Central Executive Committee position that stated categorically that COSATU, whilst defending the rights of Zuma to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that of the alleged victim to lay a charge and present evidence in court, left the matter entirely to the court to determine its verdict.

Further COSATU stated that it would be guided by its historic position on the question of rape, which it views in the most serious light. The General Secretary's statements on what would be the federation's view should comrade Zuma be found guilty is consistent with this position. What is incorrect and unfortunate is for the article not to balance this with the view that if he is found not guilty then he is not guilty, and has a right to be treated as an innocent person who should be allowed to return to the positions he holds in the ANC.

In particular the journalists decided to leave out the General Secretary's call on all to accept the verdict of the judge, but slanted the article to suggest that the main issue he had raised is that he should pay if found guilty, instead of balancing this with the other call that the media accept the verdict if Jacob Zuma is not found not guilty.

It is equally not true to suggest that COSATU has made a "major about-turn" regarding its views on Zuma as a friend of workers. The statement made by the COSATU General Secretary, which is correctly quoted in the newspaper, was in response to suggestion that we supported Jacob Zuma on the basis that he is a left-wing socialist on whom we would depend to take forward our struggles. The COSATU General Secretary sought to clarify that this was not necessarily the case.

COSATU has never opportunistically supported Jacob Zuma because he is a champion or messiah who would deliver left policies to workers and the poor. As pointed out in the statement, we came to his defence as matter of a principle. He is the Deputy President of the ANC and we could not allow a person with his stature to be treated in the manner that he has been treated. We feared that if COSATU and society allowed persons occupying the position of Deputy President of the country and of the ANC to be treated so unfairly, then it would be even worse for ordinary people of lesser stature.

COSATU has always stated that working class must be mobilised and politicised so that they are masters of their own destiny. In that context we need allies, not foes, so that we can create an environment conducive to workers to pursue their struggles for a better life for all, and we have repeatedly pointed that Jacob Zuma does have an ear for workers. The media, and some people within the democratic movement, have sought to misrepresent this principled position.

We reiterate the call that everyone, in particular the media, must respect the verdict of the judge. Guilty means guilty and not guilty must mean not guilty.