Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi warned workers at the provincial shop stewards council in Galeshewe, Kimberley, on Saturday that corruption in government will lead to the ANC losing votes in the upcoming election.

He said corruption is not only rampant in government “but also in the unions”.

“We have corrupt individuals, who if not confronted head-on, they will kill this organisation,” he said.

“Don’t put corruption on ice. Corruption is corruption, no-matter who is involved. Whether it is Mandela or Zwelinzima Vavi, when they are corrupt expose them,” he said to loud cheers.

He spoke frankly about recent media reports that Cosatu was investigating him, after he allegedly sold the federation building at a non-market related price of R10m.

“There is process in the federation to check if there is truth in all these allegations. Once allegations against everyone are made, there must be processes to check if those allegations are true.

“No matter how important you think you are, you must submit yourself to be scrutinised.

“If anyone can produce any evidence that can prove the allegations that I have stolen money from the purchase of the building. If that person can produce that evidence, the day that happens, I will walk away. I will have betrayed the workers,” he said.

Vavi also took a swipe at the “rampant corruption” which he said was common in the Northern Cape.

“In your province you go to court every day, not saying that anyone is guilty but the perception that we are corrupt will hold us in the country’s elections next year,” he said in Xhosa.

He said the country was still very far away from reaching its service delivery promises. “I doubt if we will be able to reach it in our life time.”

Vavi said Cosatu preferred an ANC that would give a better life to all.

“We want the ANC to appreciate the pressure from the ground. People want better life now, not tomorrow.”

Vavi urged the workers to support the ANC prepare for the general elections next year.

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