COSATU condemns ZCTU arrests 09-05-08

 

COSATU condemns ZCTU arrests

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns in the strongest possible terms the arrest and detention of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Lovemore Matombo and Secretary General Wellington Chibebe. On 8 May they were detained by the police and charged with "inciting people to rise against the government and reporting falsehoods about people being killed." They are still detained at Harare Central Police Station.

This is a blatant attempt to terrorise and intimidate the working class of Zimbabwe by a regime which is no longer a legal government since the elections of 29 March 2008. COSATU demands their immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of the ludicrous charges.

We agree with Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation that: "Freedom of speech is a vital to trade unionists. The detention of the ZCTU leadership is extremely worrying given the brutal beatings they suffered during their detention in September 2006 and the widespread use of violence and torture against detainees in Zimbabwe."

The arrests are further proof that the Mugabe regime has no intention of respecting the will of the people who voted his party out of office and who is determined to remain in office illegally by crushing all opposition.

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.