News

THE international Trade Union Confederation – African Regional Organisation (ITUC-Africa) representing 16 million members in 46 African countries is dismayed by the sham run-off elections in Zimbabwe which were held on June 27 in an atmosphere of violence and intimidation by ZANU-PF under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe.

The organized violence and intimidation which prevailed throughout the country made it impossible for the MDC to participate in the so-called run-off election resulting in a sham victory after which Mr. Mugabe was installed as president for another five year-term.

Furthermore, the intimidation and violence orchestrated by the ZANU-PF militia and state security agents have led to interference in the work of the trade union movement and its leadership:

1. The ZCTU district chairperson for Chivhu, Tinashe Murau, was seriously beaten up by Zanu PF militia just before the 27 June Presidential Runoff and has had his hand broken and is currently seeking medical attention. He was beaten after the militia questioned why he wears ZCTU t-shirts and attends ZCTU meetings.

2. Forty-six (46) members of the General Agriculture Plantation Workers' Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ), an affiliate of the ZCTU, have sought shelter in Harare after being harassed and beaten up by youth militia. The members include men, women and children. The ZCTU and GAPWUZ are currently providing them with food. Indications are that more farm workers will be displaced.

3. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), also an affiliate of the ZCTU, has closed its office after its officials have been harassed by unknown people since the start of the Presidential Run Off. Two cars (registration Numbers ABD8989 and AAC5574) visited PTUZ general secretary, Raymond Majongwe, but fortunately he was not at his home. At the same time, other cars

with unknown people visited the PTUZ treasurer’s wife claiming that they wanted to take her for 'a funeral'.

4. A ZCTU councilor, Rebecca Butau, based in Chegutu was also seriously beaten and had to seek medical attention. Those who beat her-up said they were looking for David Zunde, another union official from the food industry. Currently Zunde is on the run.

The ITUC-Africa condemns ZANU-PF government in strong terms for the brutal attacks on the Zimbabwe trade union movement, the continual intimidation and harassment of some of its leaders. We further condemn the whole manner in which the run-off elections of June 27 were conducted by ZANU-PF leading to the withdrawal of the MDC and its candidate from elections.

It is obvious to many that the run-off elections were neither free nor fair and have only contributed to subvert the will of the Zimbabwean people.

We call on the AU Summit in session in Sham el Sheikh, Egypt, to take strong action against the ZANU-PF Government in Zimbabwe in order to ensure that peace, democracy and good governance prevail in the country to allow the MDC, trade unions and the members of the civil society to play their part in overcoming the crisis in Zimbabwe.

July 1, 2008