The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Northern Cape is seriously disappointed at the behaviour of the President of the ANCYL. We wish to state it categorically clear that as workers we will not tolerate personal attacks on any of our leaders by any individual whoever that may be.

In the first place we need to state the fact that Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi was elected unanimously in a congress that was not marked by in fights and controversies. His leadership cannot be questioned as he was not endorsed by another structure through the mouth of a Secretary General.

Those who have selective amnesia and choose to forget operations of the democratic structures need to be brought to their senses. The views and decisions of COSATU will always be communicated by Comrade Vavi as our mouthpiece and we will always stand by him.

There is a vast difference between militancy and rudeness. It is therefore very rude for Julius Malema to attack the person of Comrade Vavi instead of addressing the issues that COSATU is raising through the mouth of Comrade Vavi. So far we can confidently say that the General Secretary of COSATU was the right choice by the workers as he continues to convey the message from us in a very clear and consistent manner.

COSATU has always been (and continues to be) the independent voice of the working class. We are proud of our leaders as they have never stood in public platforms and attacked the personalities of other leaders in a mischievous and populist manner.

As COSATU in the Northern Cape we are proud of our leaders more so that they have not stooped so low and hurled insults on individual leaders and no one must question their bona fides. We know where we come from with them.
Our leaders must continue to steer this vehicle towards the right direction and never allows themselves to be defocused by the barking dogs on the road side. When you are doing the right thing there will always be those that want to label and taint your image.

As COSATU in the Northern Cape we are more than convinced that we have the right leadership of the working class.