Cosatu condemns refusal of bail to ZCTU leaders 13-05-08

 

COSATU condemns refusal of bail to ZCTU leaders

The Congress of South Afrcan Trade Unions strongly condemns the refusal of the Presiding magistrate in the Harare Court to grant bail to the Presient and Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions leaders, Lovemore Matambo and Wellington Chibebe, who were arrested on Thursday 8 May 2008.

COSATU regards the Magistrate's comments that they "were not suitable for bail and they have to be in custody in the interest of justice" and that "they would commit similar cases and threaten witnesses" as outgrageous. This was a clear political decision, part of the crackdown on all critics of the regime in the aftermath of the electoral defeat for the ruling party. The charges, arising from speeches made by the two leaders this year's May Day celebrations, are an attack on the right to free speech and the right of workers to organise and campaign.

COSATU demand the immediate and unconditional release of the ZCTU leaders and calls upon all South Africans to join the marches on 17 May in all major cities to protest at all the regime's attacks on human rights and in support of a free, fair and peaceful election so that the people decide who shall lead them.

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

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For updates fro the ZCTU please contact

Last Tarabuku
Acting Information Officer
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
P.O Box 3549
Harare, Zimbabwe

Telephone 263-4-794702/794742
Cell 263 11 620 231
Fax 263-4- 728484
E-mail info@zctu.co.zw
Website www.zctu.co.zw