Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana has labelled Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi a "problem child".
Manana accused Vavi of wanting to use the platform of the National Anti-Corruption Forum to start a new party, the New Age newspaper reported.
"The alliance partners may remain critical of each other but they must not be counter-revolutionary. Vavi's behaviour and actions lead to the conclusion that he has intentions to establish his own party using an anti-corruption platform as a bandwagon," Manana said.
Vavi was this week appointed chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Forum.
Manana appealed to the African National Congress to "express itself" against Vavi's "counter-revolutionary behaviour" at its upcoming elective conference in Mangaung.
Congress of SA Trade Unions spokesman Patrick Craven denied Manana's statements.
Craven told the New Age : "There is not a shred of truth in any of this and if the deputy minister really believes what he is saying, it reflects a disturbing state of paranoia."
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