The ANC is investigating the possibility that the controversial Chinese factory, which is manufacturing the Soccer World Cup mascot, is also making a Zuma doll, Sake24 reported on Tuesday.

The Chinese manufacturer Shanghai Fashion Plastic Products & Gifts has a picture of a doll of President Jacob Zuma on its website.

"We are currently looking into the matter and will report back once our investigation is complete," said African National Congress spokesperson Brian Sokutu.

The factory was in the news at the weekend after the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed outrage at the news that the World Cup mascot, the dreadlocked leopard Zakumi, was being manufactured in China where workers are reportedly paid only R23 per day.

ANC member Shiaan-Bin Huang's company, Ascendo Industrial in KwaZulu-Natal, apparently contracted the Chinese company to make the mascot.

The UK newspaper, News of the World, reported last week that workers in the factory were working under harsh conditions and that many of them were teenagers who worked 13-hour shifts.

According to the report, football governing body FIFA approved the deal with the factory.

Cosatu last week said it was "outraged" at the situation.

"We are outraged that huge profits will be made by exploiting the low-paid Chinese workers. South African workers are missing a chance to get new work," Cosatu said in a statement.

"South African consumers, thinking they are making a patriotic gesture by buying the over-priced mascot, are unaware of where it comes from and how it is produced."

Join our Facebook fan page Follow us on Twitter

Sapa

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook
No galaxy too far for JZ In his latest satirical column, Ryan Bubear reports on the president's intergalactic lovin'...
No place to call home Thousands of Zimbabwean refugees call a filthy Joburg church home. They have no other choice.
Pull up your pants, Zuma Jacob Zuma Rebekah Kendal reckons that it's time for our Lothario president to pull up his pants...