SATAWU Victory statement 25-04-08

 

Subject: SATAWU VICTORY STATEMENT ON THE CHINESE VESSEL AI YUE JIANG RETURNING TO BEIJING

SATAWU can now confirm that the vessel carrying lethal weapons destined for Zimbabwe is returning to Beijing, China. SATAWU declares "Operation Return to Beijing" successful. It is major victory for the collective strength of organized transport workers and workers in general acting strategically in pursuit of democracy, peace, human and trade rights, economic and social justice. It is indeed a victory for Satawu and its docker members who triggered the campaign on 17 April 2008. It is also a victory for COSATU, the African and global trade union movement when providing practical solidarity to other workers who find themselves in a repressive situation in which human and trade unions are violated. This victory is a small but yet significant contribution for creating the possibilities of a return to genuine democracy and the legitimate expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people who seek only peace, stability and social and economic dignity. We therefore remain convinced that our action was both politically and morally correct. Should SATAWU not have acted we believe that such lethal weapons in an already volatile situation could have been used against the people to impose an undemocratic outcome underpinned by violence and intimidation.

SATAWU wishes to express its sincere thanks to all organizations and individuals that supported the campaign and contributed to the ground swell of opposition that eventually forced the return of the vessel. Now we hope that the election results can be speedily announced in order to determine who the legitimate representatives of the Zimbabwean people are in order to return the situation to relative normality. We will not hesitate to act in any future situations where democracy, social and economic rights are undermined as a revolutionary trade union movement.

Please contact the general secretary, Randall Howard @ 082 5646298 for more information.