Force transformation – COSATU

Bongani Masuku, International Relations secretary for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the neighbouring countrys largest worker movement, told a civil rights meeting that sweeping only Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) out of office in the next election would not suffice in restoring the countrys democratic values if not pre-ambled by transformation of the governance system.

Masuku said that the MDC, which is the biggest democratic movement in Zimbabwe at the moment, should lead the way in challenging the Zanu (PF) hegemony on Zimbabwe, which has brought about the violent suppression of human rights, democracy and an enduring economic meltdown.

We need to use todays struggles to build the confidence of tomorrow the MDC should lead the people of Zimbabwe in doing that by forcing through parliament which laws should be repealed or which situations need to be changed. They should rally public support and demonstrations over such issues, which affect all Zimbabweans regardless of their political affiliation, said Masuku during the meeting, which took place in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Masuku said that instead of just working towards the transfer of power, Zimbabweans needed to first transform the power they want to transfer, so that whoever comes into office does not exercise Mugabes executive powers.

Zimbabweans need to force a transformation today by beginning to forcibly practice democracy in their organizations and workplaces, while the MDC does the same in government, said Masuku.

Mugabe benefited from the colonial laws that were used by white settlers and that is why he is doing what he is doing in Zimbabwe now. Laws like the POSA (Public Order and Security Act) are just a refined suppressive law that he inherited from the colonialist and because people pre-occupied themselves with achieving independence then, they did not try to change such laws and history is repeating itself. Mugabe has benefited from a mere power transfer. We need to understand that it is not only the person that we are fighting against, but the system.

He called on Zimbabwean civil rights leaders to work towards peoples advancement by striking at issues like unemployment, which cut across political platforms and affect those within and without Mugabes party, so that they can win support for the transformation that is needed in Zimbabwe.

People need to feel the democracy once they attain the change they are fighting for and that can only come with a proper transformation. The next leader should not be able to wake up one day and decree certain things as is happening in Zimbabwe now, added Masuku.

Once you hear the public complaining that colonial times were better than black rule, then that is an indication that they have lost confidence in the struggle, in democracy and in change and you dont want a repeat of that.

Masuku promised that his organization would continue to rally support for Zimbabwe, adding that the Zimbabwean meltdown was affecting everyone in Africa.

All Africans need to unite in this because it has ceased to be a Zimbabwean issue and we need not be invited to participate in issues that affect others on the continent because we are not doing anyone any favour by participating in their struggles, said Masuku.