Johannesburg – The ANC has set up a task team to help Cosatu resolve its problems, party spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said on Tuesday.

“It is the view of the NWC [National Working Committee] that it is in the interest of the ANC, our alliance partners and broad mass democratic movement to find a lasting solution that will allow Cosatu to unite, and continue to lead the struggle of the workers and the labour movement broadly.”

Mthembu said the NWC resolved at a meeting on Monday to create the task team.

It would be led by ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa. Other members are Baleka Mbete, Gwede Mantashe, Zweli Mkhize, Mildred Oliphant, Susan Shabangu, Connie September, and Ebrahim Patel.

Mthembu said an urgent meeting would be arranged with Cosatu leaders, and alliance partners would be informed of the decision.

“We are confident that the current phase of challenges facing Cosatu will be overcome.”

Vavi suspended

Cosatu suspended its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing into to an affair he had with a junior employee.

The employee accused him of rape.

The woman subsequently withdrew a sexual harassment complaint against him.

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) brought an application at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for his suspension to be declared unconstitutional.

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Fawu) and the SA Football Players’ Union (SAFPU) are co-applicants in Numsa’s case.

Numsa’s application was postponed last Tuesday to allow an application to intervene by seven opposing unions.

– SAPA