Cosatu backs Satawu onChina ship with Zim arms 18-04-08

 

COSATU backs Satawu on China ship with Zim arms

The Congress of South African Trade Unions welcomes and applauds the decision of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union that their members at the Durban Container Terminal will not unload the cargo of arms for Zimbabwe in the Chinese ship which has docked in Durban and that none of their members in the truck driving sector will move this cargo by road.

COSATU agrees with SATAWU that this vessel must return to China with the arms on board ,as South Africa cannot be seen to be facilitating the flow of weapons into Zimbabwe at a time where there is a political dispute and a volatile situation between the ZANU-PF and the MDC. The decision is a fine example of international trade union solidarity, and COSATU appeals to the All-China Trade Union Federation also to suppport the action taken by SATAWU

The federation reiterates its insistence that the results of the Zimbabwe Presidential election must be released immediately and the will of the Zimbabwean people, as expressed through the ballot box on 29 March 2008 be respected.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017

P.O. Box 1019

Johannesburg, 2000

SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667

Cell: 0828217456

E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za