Vavi: Zim vote a bloody farce

2008-07-15 20:04

Johannesburg - The situation in Zimbabwe and Swaziland poses a threat to democracy in Africa, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Tuesday.

The Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said: "Recent developments threaten to roll back the spreading trend towards democracy in Africa.

"This is a year of elections in both countries, but in neither case does the process resemble any accepted standards of democracy."

Vavi was speaking at a meeting to prepare for what was described as a solidarity conference comprising trade unions from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

The conference would discuss ways to promote democracy in Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

Vavi said the run-off election in Zimbabwe rapidly degenerated into a "bloody farce" that brought widespread political violence. African governments should withdraw their recognition of the Mugabe government.

Vavi said the economy of Zimbabwe had collapsed with annual inflation around 355 000% and unemployment at about 80%.

Double standards applied

Cosatu supported proposals for a transitional administration in Zimbabwe that would comprise all the contending political parties.

"The sole mandate of this transitional administration has to be organising free and fair elections a soon as possible, monitored by domestic and African observers, so that democracy can be restored."

Vavi also condemned what he described as the infringement of human rights in Swaziland.

"Why has Swaziland escaped the international human rights radar for so long?" he asked. "The ruling royal regime is getting away with murder."

The Commonwealth and Britain applied double standards when it came to Swaziland - in contrast to its attacks on Mugabe.

"Why does it not apply smart sanctions against the stubborn (Swazi) regime for refusing to unban political parties and political activities?

"Poor people are on the receiving end of the regime's viciousness, with more and more Swazis being forced to cross the border into South Africa in search of jobs," Vavi said.

- SAPA