Zim: 'SA govt must speak out'

2008-07-02 19:09

Johannesburg - The South African government must speak out on the crisis in Zimbabwe because President Thabo Mbeki is constrained from doing so, the Congress of SA Trade Unions said on Wednesday.

"Cosatu appreciates the role that President Thabo Mbeki has been playing as a mediator," said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

He said Cosatu also appreciated the constraints this imposed on his public statements.

"A mediator must not be perceived to be aligned with one or another of the contending parties."

He said Cosatu feels "however that it is now time for the government to speak out, on behalf of all the people of South Africa, in defence of democracy and human rights."

The elections held on June 27 were clearly not free and fair, said Craven.

Unacceptable outcome

"We urge the government to add its voice to theirs to state publicly that it cannot accept the outcome of the 'elections'."

A democratic solution to the Zimbabwe crisis must be found through intervention by the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the Southern African Development Community.

The credibility of these institutes were otherwise at stake, said Craven.

The AU, Nepad and the SADC needed to "condemn and disown" the human rights violations and violence in the country, the illegitimate election processes and the censorship of the media.

"It would be a disaster for Africa if its highest representative bodies, AU and SADC, were to recognise the outcome of such an 'election' and the Mugabe government as legitimate."

Zimbabwe should have all its invitations to attend continental and international meetings banned.

Protest, border blockade

Cosatu said it would be mobilising its members, civil society and Zimbabweans living in South Africa for a protest and border blockade at the Beit Bridge border post on Saturday.

Craven also said the congress was trying to isolate Mugabe.

"We are calling on all our unions and those around the world to make sure that they never ever serve Mugabe anywhere, including at airports, restaurants, shops, etc.

"Further we call on all workers and citizens of the world never to allow Mugabe to set foot in their countries."

- SAPA