The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Southern Africa Trade Union Co-ordination Council representing 14 National Federations with a combined membership of 7 million workers in 12 SADC member states strongly condemns the arrest of trade union leaders on 8th November 2009 in Victoria Falls town including the Lovemore Matombo president of our affiliate the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions with four others Michael Kandukutu, Percy Mcijo, Dumisani Ncube and Nawu Ndlovu. This action applied under the draconian and discredited Public Order and Security Act (POSA) not only undermines the government of national unity but is a direct attack on workers and trade union rights and democracy.

This action further confirms our strong concerns and fears on the sincerity of the parties to the unity government agreement towards upholding the values of democracy and respect trade union and human rights. Just last month in October 2009 the National Association of Non Governmental Organizations in Zimbabwe (NANGO) Chief Executive Officer Cephas Zinhumwe and the National Board Chairperson Dadirai Chikwengo were arrested after the NGO Directors' Summer School held in Victoria Falls. In all instances our colleagues were merely performing their duty as mandated by their respective membership.

The use of state forces under an environment that allows them to act with impunity on the citizenry in a unity government does not inspire confidence. Rather it is a total betrayal of the trust of the SADC region and its people. SATUCC calls upon the President of Zimbabwe His Excellence Comrade Robert Mugabe to take responsibility and stop the arbitrary arrests of trade unionists and social activists. To this end we call upon the government of Zimbabwe to free all arrested trade unionists and activists unconditionally.

A gain we call on SADC and its leaders to provided true leadership on the question of Zimbabwe by taking a strong position on the Authorities in Zimbabwe. What more evidence do our leaders need to take action? The people of Zimbabwe look at you the leaders in SADC for protection of their freedom and justice. It is time SADC stood for protection of the people and not regimes. SATUC and its affiliates say no to enemies of democracy and social justice.