Embattled Vavi set to quit Cosatu

Embattled Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi looks set to quit his job.

Vavi told a meeting of Cosatu members yesterday that he would announce next week whether he would stay in his position or walk away, the SABC reported.

"To me it looks like I have two choices only. The first choice is to submit. and choose the bad over good, choose a lie over the truth and save myself, my salary and the future of my children. Or I can choose the truth - the struggle of the workers. What they represent. The truth and the good walk next to my shoes. , " he said.

Vavi was speaking at a SA Democratic Teachers Union forum in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. He said there were consequences for whatever decision he would take.

His comments come as the union federation is preparing for a special central executive committee meeting during which he is expected to explain why he boycotted the last meeting of its top brass.

Vavi is also expected to respond to the findings of audit firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo, which concluded that he had failed to follow the federation's tender processes in the sale and purchase of Cosatu buildings.

He has denied any wrongdoing, saying the auditors had failed to get his side of the story before presenting the report to Cosatu's central executive committee.

Vavi is also facing disciplinary action for having sex with a junior staff member. But it appears he might resign before even clearing his name, raising the spectre of a new federation.