Cosatu Clarification 14-08-07

 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions wishes to clarify a widely quoted statement made by its General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, in his address to the Congress of the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union on 11 August 2007, referring to 'deadwood' and ministers 'dying on duty'.

These comments were in no way intended to show disrespect to those ministers who passed away while holding office in the government and Zwelinzima Vavi apologises unreservedly to the families of these comrades, and all others concerned, for any offence that may have been caused. Nor was the statement suggesting that no government ministers have been performing well. Many of them, past and present, have served the nation with distinction and continue to work hard to fulfil their duty to the people.

COSATU wishes to place on record however that there are some ministers who are not performing to that high standard and that part of the statement will not be withdrawn.

The General Secretary was addressing the SACTWU Congress before any reasons had been given for the dismissal of the Deputy Minster of Health, Nozizwe Madlada-Routledge, and there had been no consultation with COSATU about the decision.

He was basically asking what the reasons could be, since it could certainly not be on the grounds of efficiency, since she was one of the most efficient, hard working and successful ministers, unlike some other less effective ministers, whom he described as 'deadwood'.

He could therefore only speculate that the real reason was that her views on HIV/AIDS - that it is indeed a national crisis - and her approach to the challenge posed by that crisis, were different from those of the Minister and the President. The General Secretary was justifiably angry at the dismissal of a good minister who had been pursuing the right policies on this vital issue.

COSATU, like any other South African organisation, has every right to assess ministers' performance and to criticise their achievements, just as the media regularly issue 'report cards' on ministers. We will not remain silent about government ministers or government policies when they are not serving the interests of the working class and the poor majority of South Africans.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets
Braamfontein, 2017

P.O.Box 1019
Johannesburg, 2000
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667
Cell: 0828217456
E-Mail: patr...@cosatu.org.za