An audit firm has been appointed to determine whether there was any impropriety over the sale of the Congress of SA Trade Unions building and the purchase of its new headquarters‚ which is among allegations levelled at general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi by his detractors in the federation.

Cosatu was briefing the media on Wednesday after a meeting of its central executive committee which focussed largely on the internal woes of the federation. The facilitated process which kicked off in February to probe the political‚ organisational and administration issues would continue.

"The CEC agreed that it was of paramount importance to continue and speedily complete the process‚" said Vavi at a media briefing after the meeting. There is no certainty that the agreed upon measures would be successful‚ as the last has deadlocked and made no progress. The difference this time will be that the facilitators will have greater flexibility to probe the issues‚ including meeting with union leaders and affiliates in private.

Both sides blame the other for the failure of the last process. Supporters of Vavi say that when called upon to make representations to a panel of facilitators‚ his accusers declined‚ saying they would only provide evidence anonymously. Vavi’s detractors say that the panel was stillborn because Cosatu’s secretariat – headed by Vavi – failed to implement the central executive committee resolution as it was intended.

The appointment of the audit firm‚ Sizwe Ntsalubo Gobodo‚ is a fresh addition to the February resolution -- as well as a submission to the audit firm by Vavi. "They will conduct a forensic investigation into the general secretary's submission. "The auditors will conclude their report by June 2013. Once the report is ready‚ the auditors will present a report in the presence of the facilitators to a meeting of the presidents and general secretaries of affiliated unions without any delay‚" Vavi said.

Submissions on the political and other issues should be presented by June 6‚ 2013. They have until the end of June to finalise their report. The final report would be discussed by the union leadership by mid-July.