ITUC-Africa demands release of Matombo and others

lovemore_matomboJOHANNESBUR, (CAJ News)-AFRICAN Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called upon President Mugabe and his police to immediately release arrested President of Zimbabwe of Congress Trade Unions (ZCTU), Lovemore Matombo (Pictured).


In his letter to President Mugabe, which also copied to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and to all African labour bodies, ITUC-Africa Secretary General, Kwasi Adu Amankwah said the African labour demands the release of the ZCTU leadership with immediate effect.

“Africa strongly urges Mr. President to authorize the immediate and Unconditional release of Lovemore Matombo, Michael Kandukutu and Percy Mcijo and to prevail on the police to refrain from harassing trade unionists.

“ITUC-Africa hopes that Mr. President will pay prompt attention to this very serious matter and looks forward to your immediate action,” said Amankwah in a statement in possession of CAJ News.

He said the ITUC-Africa strongly condemned the arbitrary arrest and Detention of ZCTU leadership arguing that such arrests violated their freedom of expression and association.

“The three colleagues were carrying out a legitimate trade union activity, which is protected under ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise. Given that the Government of Zimbabwe has ratified this Convention, it is under the obligation to uphold it and refrain from any acts of interference in trade union affairs.

“ITUC Africa has also been informed about the attack on the family of Gertrude Hambira, General Secretary of GAPWUS and a Council member of ZCTU, on 3 November. Although the reason behind this attack is not yet clear, the Government is obliged to ensure the safety of all citizens including trade unionists.

“ITUC Africa is particularly alarmed at the arbitrary arrest and detention of the President of the ZCTU and the many recent incidents of trade union rights violations despite the ongoing ILO Commission of Inquiry into violations of fundamental workers rights in Zimbabwe,”

said Amankwah.

There were no immediate response from President Mugabe’s office regarding the demands by ITUC

Post published in: Politics

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *