COSATU condemns arrest of ISO activists in Zimbabwe

COSATU has condemned the continued persecution of political activists in Zimbabwe and the never improving situation in that country. The detention of about 52 activists of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) in Harare on baseless charges of plotting to topple the government indicates the state of insecurity in that country.

Amongst those arrested is Gwisai, a former MP for Highfield, who is also the general coordinator of International Socialist Organisation (ISO). The arrests are a clear sign that the democratic and constitutional rights of the people of Zimbabwe are still a distant dream and that the GNU has not changed the situation for the better.

COSATU leadership received a full briefing on developments in Zimbabwe from the Deputy Secretary General of the ZCTU, Japhet Moyo last week during the trilateral meeting between Nigeria NLC, Ghana TUC and COSATU, who indicated that things are reaching desperate levels once again and that conditions for a free and fair elections are not obtaining in that country.

In this regard, we continue to pledge our full solidarity with the working and struggling people of Zimbabwe at this critical time and call upon SADC and the AU to act now in support of democracy and the people’s will in Zimbabwe and everywhere else in our region and continent.

It is no doubt that the Egyptian and Tunisian experience have inspired many workers and poor people all over the world to stand up and demand an end to dictatorship, corruption and injustice of whatever kind. It is for that very reason that we call upon all workers and poor people to overthrow all forms of oppression, occupation and injustice in their countries, as we pledge our full and unconditional support to the fighting people of Bahrain, Yemen, Morocco, and Libya in their continuing struggles for democracy and justice.