Union says Vavi rape claim was politically motivated

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa in Kwazulu-Natal says the rape allegation against Cosatu secretary-general, Zwelinzima Vavi is politically motivated.

Numsa regional secretary, Mbuso Ngubane says the allegation cannot be de-linked from the poisonous, malicious and well-calculated political offensive directed towards destroying Vavi’s political integrity and standing in society.

Meanwhile, the Azanian People’s Organisation says it is "disturbed" by the rape allegation.

Azapo says if Vavi is charged, it will encourage him to step down from public representation,.

On Saturday, Vavi released documents to the media, including an internal complaint by the woman in which she accused him of rape.

Vavi admitted to having an extramarital affair with her, and claimed she had later tried to extort R2 million from him.

He denied raping her, and said the sex was consensual. The police could not confirm that a charge of rape had been laid against him.