ZCTU on arrest of President 10-04-08

 

Press Statement

Arrest of Civil Service Employees Association President

It has come to the attention of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions that The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Masimba Kadzimu was arrested, allegedly for manipulating election results. CSEA is an affiliate of the ZCTU.

Cde Kadzimu was a Presiding Officer based in Raffingora during the March 29 2008 elections. There has been much secrecy and controversy surrounding the arrest of Cde Kadzimu and indeed other Presiding Officers who oversaw the elections around the country. Cde Kadzimu was arrested on Monday and has appeared in court where he has been released on free bail.

The ZCTU deplores the behavior of the Zimbabwean authorities in the arrest and detention of Cde Kadzimu. If anyone was to be arrested for the 'manipulation,' if it happened at all, of Presidential vote results, the first port of call would be ZANU (PF) election agents and not innocent people. We believe this is a ploy by ZANU (PF) meant to divert people's attention from the much expected Presidential results.

ZANU (PF) might try and use every trick in the book to get out of the current situation, but the people of Zimbabwe are now much wiser and will not be fooled. We will keep our eyes on the ball and not let these tricks divert our attention - we want the Presidential results.

All charges that have been preferred against Cde Kadzimu should be dropped as pursuance of such is an infringement on his human rights.

Wellington Chibebe

SECRETARY GENERAL

9 April 2008