JOHANNESBURG South Africas biggest worker federation - the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), this week condemned the Zimbabwean governments continued suppression of workers movements in the country, especially those belonging to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).COSATU, which is also a key member of the African National Congress (ANC) a tripartite formation that is currently ruling South Africa, on Monday described the continued harassment of ZCTU leaders, some of whom were arrested Sunday, as an outrageous attack on both trade union movement and democracy.
COSATU condemns the arrest of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions President, Lovemore Matombo, together with the whole ZCTU District Executive Committee and two ZCTU staff members Michael Kandukutu and Percy Mcijo, said Patrick Craven, COSATUs national spokesman.
The arrests are an outrageous attack on the trade union movement and democracy and confirm that the state forces in Zimbabwe, regardless of the existence of a government of national unity, are still brutally imposing their dictatorship over those who are struggling for democracy and workers rights.
The vocal trade union movement, which has previously stated that Zimbabwes multi-facetted crisis will not end with President Robert Mugabe still in charge, also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested ZCTU members.
Matombo was arrested Sunday night while addressing members of his union in Zimbabwes resort town of Victoria Falls, in Matabeleland North, alongside Kandukutu and Mcijo.
There were no clear charges laid against the trio by the time of going to press but close sources claimed that the government was on a political witch-hunt against labour body and MDC activists.
Post published in: Politics