Presiding officer blasts Vavi affair George Matlala and Marianne Merten, Sunday Independent, Johannesburg, 25 August 2013 An independent consultant who presided over Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi's sexual harassment hearing has slammed the embattled leader's sexual behaviour with a junior staffer as "unacceptable". The Sunday Independent has seen the report by the consultant, Areth Serfontein, in which Vavi's accuser, Xxxx Yyyy, is also criticised for demanding R2 million from him as compensation, saying this constituted serious misconduct and needed to be investigated further. It is the first time it emerges that a consultant, independent of factional battles, has blasted Vavi and Yyyy's behaviour and recommended serious action to be taken against them. Vavi's supporters have always maintained that disciplinary action against him was part of a conspiracy by a group led by Cosatu president S'dumo Dlamini to oust him. Dlamini and Cosatu's leadership, on the other hand, have not highlighted the fact that Yyyy's demand was condemned and was part of the reasons why she was suspended pending disciplinary action. "Mr Vavi confirmed that he had sexual intercourse with a subordinate on the work premises (in her office) on January 25, 2013. This type of behaviour in an office environment is unacceptable. "I believe this should be addressed through a formal disciplinary process as provided for in the constitution of Cosatu. I believe there are sufficient grounds to investigate whether Mr Vavi has committed misconduct or acted in a manner detrimental to the federation," the report said. Serfontein's report is also critical of the woman at the centre of the sex scandal, pointing out that the sexual harassment grievance was brought essentially to stave off disciplinary action over two weeks of unauthorised absence. "Mrs Yyyy confirmed that she sent a letter of demand to Mr Vavi on July 3, 2013. This conduct should be further investigated as it would constitute serious misconduct in terms of the Cosatu disciplinary code of practice and need to be dealt with in accordance with prescribed procedures," she said. Neither Vavi nor Yyyy responded to calls and SMSes. Vavi has still not confirmed whether he will be challenging the forced special leave and it is also unclear whether Cosatu has already appointed the independent chairman for the new disciplinary proceedings against him and Yyyy. Dlamini refused to comment on the report. But Vavi took to Twitter on Saturday to respond to veiled criticism by SACP leader Blade Nzimande and ANC secretary Gwede Mantashe against him this week at the police union political school indaba. "Regrettably alliance has not functioned in a manner wherein all components can claim to be driving revolution together," he said on Saturday in a series of tweets. "We can't take responsibility for the Guptarisation of the economy, downright looting of resources through rampant corruption," Vavi tweeted, responding to replies: "In your book to be ANC is to tolerate corruption? To be enemy is to fight e-tolls and demand public transport system, pro-poor policies?" While Vavi's scandal is not officially not on the agenda, the topic and its impact on Cosatu following the public expression of no confidence against Dlamini by metalworkers' union Numsa and the Food and Allied Workers' Union is expected to dominate sideline discussions at the alliance summit this coming weekend. Numsa said it would hold a special conference in December to discuss its status within the trade union federation. Both the ANC and the SACP have internally raised concerns over the effect of Cosatu's troubles on next year's general elections. Traditionally, unions used their organisational muscle and factory and shop floors to mobilise voters for the governing party. However, Mantashe told The Sunday Independent this week that the summit would deal with progress and results of current programmes. "It's a very important gathering to refocus on unemployment, poverty and the youth". And while the SACP top brass met this weekend to prepare for the summit - and to consider its position on Cosatu - Nzimande set the tone at the Popcru indaba in the week. "If some (trade union) leaders think that they are going to take certain affiliates out of Cosatu, then they will find the communist party first. Those who are threatening to walk out, they will first have to open this red door," he said. Writing in Umsebenzi, an SACP online journal, Nzimande - without naming Vavi - also cautioned against "the cult of personality" which threatened the labour movement already facing "a serious threat" by "splinter unions" formed by ill-disciplined elements and those who lost elections. Also at the Popcru gathering, Mantashe delivered a similarly strong message on worker leadership. "When you begin to worship individuals then you are going to kill (Cosatu)," he was quoted as saying. Like Mantashe, earlier in the week Dlamini said Cosatu's issues were not on the alliance summit agenda. He said there would also be no dressing down of Cosatu. Instead, the labour federation would use the summit to push for a ban on labour brokers and the scrapping of e-tolls, while also raising the need for a national legislated minimum wage. The summit is the first serious high-level economic meeting since October 2008. Sunday Independent From: http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/presiding-officer-blasts-vavi-affair-1.15 67654#.UhoCDRswfmg -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. 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