Mr Vavi's statement on the SNG forensic report and Cosatu press conference today

We've taken note of reports emanating from Cosatu NOBs about a forensic report allegedly compiled by Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo. 

At the outset, we state that we've neither seen the report nor have our views on its findings been canvassed with Mr Vavi. Therefore, we are not commenting on the (de)merits of the "report" at this stage.

Whilst Mr Vavi has cooperated fully with the numerous parallel investigations he's been subjected to in the last 12 months, we find it curious that the investigators elected to ambush him by not sharing their findings with him as the subject of the probe. 

We place on record that Mr Vavi was given an undertaking by the facilitators that he would be afforded a chance to comment on any findings against him and his comments would form part of the final report.

On the face of it, these actions appear to demonstrate bias, unprofessional conduct and a misunderstanding of and lack of appreciation for the seriousness of the matter at hand and the implications thereof.

We hope the forensic firm wasn't strong-armed into this course of action by his detractors.

We believe Mr Vavi has been clearly denied proper right to be heard by the forensic firm in discussing the report with the Cosatu Central Executive Committee prior to his comments on its findings.  

We are consulting our lawyers about this conduct, and all our rights are reserved.

That said, for a year now, Mr Vavi and his family have been accused of millions' worth of corruption by his detractors. After all these costly probes, none of these millions have been found in any of his accounts.

Any lawful process will vindicate Mr Vavi.

Statement issued by John Dludlu on behalf of Zwelinzima Vavi, February 11 2014

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