SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
25 July 2008
South Africa's Trade Union Federation, COSATU has vowed to make Robert Mugabe's life 'difficult' if he does not concede power.
The comments were made by COSATU's general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi as Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF and MDC negotiating members finally sat down to talks on Thursday. Vavi said if the talks, expected to last the next two weeks, do not reach a strong settlement, he will call on his members to boycott next month's SADC summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg - an event which Mugabe is expected to attend as an incumbent regional leader. Vavi warned that, although the federation cannot prevent Mugabe from traveling to South Africa, "We will make it very difficult for him to be here."
COSATU's national spokesman, Patrick Craven told Newsreel on Friday that the federation and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions took a decision after the June 27 'sham election' that the Zimbabwean government 'should no longer be recognised.' He said the government "has no mandate because of its appalling human rights record and it is a position we are encouraging trade unions around the world to accept".
Craven said "workers should refuse to aid Mugabe and his cronies anywhere in the world," and called the action a form of "targeted sanctions against a regime that has no credibility." He added that the federation will also "encourage governments to stop inviting Mugabe to international conferences and events," and he reiterated that "only a government agreed to, as part of the negotiating process should be recognised."
A unity government is widely believed to be on the cards at the end of the ZANU-PF and MDC negotiations and Newsreel understands discussions are taking place about making Mugabe a titular head of state with Morgan Tsvangerai as executive Prime Minister. Craven said COSATU will only accept a result that "honours the verdict"of the Zimbabwean people and in this regard"the result of the March elections should be the basis for Zimbabwe's parliament." He added fresh elections need to be held as soon as possible and that, "any administration set up in the interim must be purely transitional to facilitate a free and fair poll."
COSATU is also organising a mass march set to take place outside next month's SADC summit in Johannesburg. Craven said the demonstration "will allow South African workers as well as Zimbabweans living in South Africa to express their views about what steps should be taken."
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I SUPPORT YOU 100%. COSATU SHOULD UNITE WITH ALL THE OTHER TRADE UNIONS AND PUT THEIR PRIDE ASIDE FOR THE SAKE OF THE CONTINENT.
DIVISION AMONG THE MDC IS WHAT CAUSED MUGABE TO CLAIM A SO CALLED FLATULENT VICTORY. BUT IF ALL STAND TOGETHER AND STOP THE INFIGHTING, UNCLE BOB'S BACK WILL BE BROKEN ONCE AND FOR ALL. WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE BUSYING THEMSELVES TO TRANSFER ALL ASSETS IN FROM ZIMBABWE INTO SAFE HAVENS OVERSEAS? THEY KNOW THEIR TIME IS UP AND THEIR TIME HAS COME TO EXIT...THEY ARE JUST PROLONGING THE INEVITABLE...THEY DONT EVEN HAVE PAPER AND SOFTWARE TO PRINT THEIR NEW 1/2 MILLION ZIM DOLLAR BILL.
NOW IF THE INFIGHTING IN ZANU-PF INTENSIFIES THAT IS A GOOD SIGN FOR MORGAN TO CONSOLIDATE POWER...BUT UNCLE BOB AND HIS TUGS ARE BUSY TRANSFERRING MONEY OVERSEAS...LET THEM CONTINUE ...ALL ASSETS WILL BE FROZEN AND THEY WILL FACE THE WRATH OF THE WORLD
I WONDER IF THEY EVEN HAVE TOILET PAPER TO WIPE THEIR BEHIND? LET THEM GO FOR OLD-FASHIONED BANANA LEAVES...AND DO GOOD HANDWASHING. OH GOD...COME TO ZIM'S AID..THOSE PEOPLE SUFFERED ENOUGH
Ye, all wll said except that COSATU is one of the three national centres in South Africa. Why not build a coalition with the other two trade union federations, NACTU and FEDUSA in order to ensure maximum impact! Division amongst trade unions in South Africa has enabled maverick Mugabe to survive and continue the massacre of its innocent citizens thirst for freedom, justice and a government reflecting the will of the majority.
Come on COSATU comrades! You can stop Mugabe from visiting your country should you be able to work hand in hand with NACTU and FEDUSA and ask technicians at all the country's airports to deny Mugabe's plane technical facilities in the South African space.
You can as well, together, pressurize the Central bank to freeze all bank accounts in South Africa of Mugabe and cronies.
Five million Zimbabwe refugees in South Africa already! and yet you are not expressing any displeasure to Mbeki who recently questioned as to whether there was any crisis in Zimbabwe!
Please get a unity of action together with the other two trade union federations and ensure that your joint actions bite maverick Mugabe where it hurts most.