Cosatu's central executive committee last night succeeded in doing something the apartheid government could not do - destroy a labour federation. This was the reaction of National Union of Metalworkers of SA's general secretary, Irvin Jim, as news emerged that Cosatu's executive had voted 30 to one to expel its embattled general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi from the trade union federation."It was just a matter of time. Clearly, the aim is to divide Cosatu," general secretary of the Communications Workers' Union Aubrey Tshabalala said last night, adding it was not surprised at the committee's decision.The decision came hours after Vavi dared the federation to expel him, saying: "They are free to take any decisions against me. It is their choice, and if they think the expulsion of people is the solution, so be it, but history will judge them harshly."On Sunday, Vavi said he would not resign as a "deliberate act of defiance" and would not abandon workers.Yesterday, the union federation's executive met to discuss allegations of impropriety against Vavi contained in two audit reports by SizweNtsalubaGobodo.One of the reports points to a conflict of interest after auditors found that Vavi's stepdaughter worked for a service provider and his wife was a co-director of another company whose services Cosatu had used. The committee is expected to formally confirm his expulsion today.Last night, Vavi was unavailable for comment but posted on Facebook: "Don't mourn - Organise."On Twitter, he posted a Martin Luther King jnr quote, which reads: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."On Sunday, Vavi said he would turn from "boardroom battles" to "go back to the trenches" and focus on the workers.Giving a strong indication that another labour movement could be in the offing, Vavi said: "I will be found everywhere, marching with workers, mobilising them, reinforcing the recruitment of workers ... negotiating, leading campaigns against labour brokers, e-tolls, exploitation, job losses ..."Vavi has also been linked to the formation of the Numsa-initiated United Front, due to be launched last year but postponed.The move was seen as a signal by Numsa to spearhead a new movement that could be used as a platform to launch another labour federation or political party.Numsa resolved to form the f ront to fight for working-class issues, a possible forerunner to the formation of a workers' party.Jim, a strong Vavi ally, said it was up to the working class to reclaim Cosatu . He said it was now a "sweetheart" federation pandering to the ruling elite of the ANC.ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe blamed Cosatu and Vavi."I think they all became reckless. Cosatu's decision was reckless. Clearly, Cosatu has taken a decision to split itself. Vavi's media briefing was equally reckless. Arrogance does not work when the situation is delicate. But the ANC will continue to offer its support for unity," Mantashe said last night.But political analysts warned that Vavi's expulsion could have a negative effect on the ANC.ProfShadrack Gutto said: "There are already some Cosatu affiliates that do not accept what has happened. Cosatu is splitting and this not just because of Vavi."He said this realignment within Cosatu would spill over to the ANC, which would not be able to use the powerful union federation for political leverage.The ANC has relied on its alliance with Cosatu to draw in the workers' vote. A split in Cosatu could weaken the ANC .Another political analyst, Steven Friedman, said Vavi's expulsion was part of turmoil within Cosatu.He said the possibility of unions leaving Cosatu will have the greatest effect on labour relations.Friedman said in the short term, this could produce heated disputes between unions competing for members in all the major industries.The upside, however, would be that unions would pay more attention to their members because of competition.There were unconfirmed reports linking Vavi and Numsa to the EFF. But EFF leader Julius Malema last night refused to be drawn into the saga."We don't want to be involved," Malema said...