SAfrica labor groups defend leader's graft claims

[June 02, 2010]  JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- South African labor groups say they will defend their leader after he leveled corruption allegations against high-level members of the ruling party.

The ruling African National Congress says it will call the leader of the main labor federation to a disciplinary hearing after he accused two ministers of corruption. The move threatens to damage a longtime alliance between President Jacob Zuma's party and the labor movement.

Zwelinzima Vavi, who heads the 2.5 million-member Congress of South African Trade Unions, also accuses Zuma of failing to take action against high-level graft.

Labor alliance leaders said Wednesday they will fight to the end if Vavi, an ANC member, is charged under party rules.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.