Vavi, Numsa axed from May 1 rallies

15 April 2014 - 02:11 By Kingdom Mabuza
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Zwelinzima Vavi. File photo
Zwelinzima Vavi. File photo
Image: Gallo Images/Foto24/Cornel van Heerden

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and National Union Metalworkers of SA leaders have been excluded from addressing workers during this year's May Day celebrations.

The main event - to be held in Polokwane - will be addressed by President Jacob Zuma, SACP secretary general Blade Nzimande and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini.

When asked about the exclusions, Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said: "Office bearers are still discussing that and the programme can change."

Craven said the discussions centred on Vavi and that he was not aware if Numsa would be featured in the programme.

Numsa spokesman Castro Ngobese said the union was unaware of its exclusion.

"In the past Numsa leaders had always been deployed. This year's deployment has been done in a factional way to make sure that Numsa is denied direct access to workers," said Ngobese.

Although May Day celebrations are worker-related, this year's rallies are expected to be used to campaign for votes for the ANC. Numsa was apparently sidelined following its resolution not to support the ANC.

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