"The [central executive committee] meeting reaffirmed its satisfaction that Limusa satisfied all the constitutional requirements of the Cosatu constitution and therefore accepted Limusa as a new Cosatu affiliate," Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) deputy general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told reporters in Johannesburg.

This follows the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) from the federation in November last year.

Earlier, Ntshalintshali said a special central executive committee (CEC) meeting held on Monday and Tuesday had decided to dismiss general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi with immediate effect.

"The conduct of the general secretary constitutes gross misconduct," he said.

"Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi is dismissed as the general secretary of Cosatu with immediate effect."

Vavi had been informed of his dismissal and advised that he could appeal his expulsion in line with the federation's constitution.

He did not know if Vavi had responded to his dismissal notice as he had been in the CEC meeting all day.

Ntshalintshali would take up Vavi's responsibilities.