While reviewing the unbanning of a film previously banned as provocative, the author relates some of the issues raised with regard to a relationship of unequal power to the recent allegation of rape against Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of COSATU. The allegation was withdrawn in an internal grievance process of COSATU. But even if one accepts that that ends the question of rape, which is doubtful, Vavi admitted to having a sexual encounter with a woman who was an employee in COSATU and thus dependent on him for her employment and any possible promotion. Hence this was an unequal encounter and raises questions about the character of consent, if it is given. This cannot be reduced to whether Vavi is unfaithful to his wife, nor to conspliracies to drive him out of COSATU. Davis briefly alludes to the way in which patriarchy plays itself out in the work place
Raymond Suttner 