Madisha willing to go to court to clear his name

Cosatu says it is entirely up to its commission to decide when to release the findings

The Congress of South Africa trade union (Cosatu) president, Willie Madisha, says he is willing to go to court to prove he did not steal the R500 000 intended for SA Communist Party (SACP) coffers. Madisha briefed the media in Johannesburg today following a meeting with a SACP task team investigating the donation.

Madisha has, for the first time, revealed that he gave the money donated by businessman Charles Modise to SACP general secretary, Blade Nzimande. Earlier this month, Madisha admitted on SABC radio to receiving the money, but did not name the person to whom he gave the amount.

Nzimande said: "I wish to emphasise that yes, I collected the money. I received R500 000 and handed the same to the general secretary of the SACP, comrade Blade Nzimande."

Nzimande has denied receiving the money. "I wish to place on record that I have never received any money," Nzimande said.

Madisha has also accused the SACP of branding him as the instigator of a smear campaign. He has called on the SACP to convene a press conference as a matter of urgency to clarify the position and clear his name.