Dlamini vs Vavi: Only one will survive

Last week the Cosatu provincial secretary in the Free State, Sam Mashinini, sent out a letter to all the federation's affiliate unions making a special appeal to them to desist from "destroying our movement". The letter, in the possession of Daily Maverick, appears to be an appeal for a ceasefire as divisions which have beset the federation have now reached crisis proportions - in Mashinini's words, "eating it like a slow poison".

He was responding to a series of media leaks alleging corruption and political misconduct on the part of Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. The main allegation, pertaining to the sale of the old Cosatu headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, has now prompted an internal inquiry which will be presided over by auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo. Police union Popcru is alleging that it attempted to buy the building for R15 million but that Vavi undervalued the building and sold it for R10 million, to the benefit of a family member.