COSATU president Sidumo Dlamini mentioned South Africa's northern
neighbour in the same breath as politically volatile countries such as
Swaziland, Western Sahara Democratic Republic of Congo and Burma.
He said this had put a damper on achievements that have been made in the region and the continent as a whole.
Despite many other achievements, there is still a lot to be done,
which is why we say that working together we can still do more on such
areas as; Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Western Sahara, Burma, Congo and many
other such places where serious challenges remain. In relation to
Zimbabwe, our Polokwane resolutions and manifesto are clear that we
must intensify efforts to find a democratic and lasting solution to the
crisis.
Addressing the International Strategy workshop towards the
International Solidarity Conference, held in Johannesburg, He added,
No doubt in Swaziland, the release of PUDEMO President, Mario Masuku
and the speedy transformation of that country into a multiparty system
and not royalist monopoly system, is urgent. No doubt the region for us
is a matter of priority, hence the high premium we place on the
Swaziland-Zimbabwe issues and will work with the ANC to ensure that
these are dealt with immediately.
COSATU, part of the tripartite that also includes the ruling African
national Congress and the South African communist Party, has said
previously refused to endorse Robert Mugabe as the democratically
elected president of neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Dlamini's comments come amid reports some senior officials from
Mugabe's ruling ZANU (PF) were bent on derailing the unity government
while farm invasions by ZANU (PF) supporters continue unabated.