COSATU to host border blockade at Beit Bridge Saturday

By Alex Bell
02 July 2008

South Africa’s Trade Union federation, COSATU, has organised a demonstration in solidarity with Zimbabweans, to protest against the illegitimate government headed by Robert Mugabe.

The federation said in a statement that it is mobilising it’s members, civil society and Zimbabweans living in South Africa “in solidarity with our fellow trade unions and the people of Zimbabwe”, beginning with a demonstration and border blockade at the Beit Bridge.

The federation slammed the one-man run off election, shortly after Robert Mugabe was sworn in as President on Sunday, and called on African governments to refuse to recognise Mugabe as a legitimate head of state and to bar him from attending meetings of the African Union or SADC.

COSATU said: “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. We urge the African governments not to recognise the Zimbabwean government and cancel all invitations to it to attend continental and international meetings.”

The statement also read: “The federation reiterates it’s call on the workers in South Africa, SADC, Africa and the world over, as well as all progressive citizens of the world, to work towards a total isolation of Mugabe and his government. 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.”

COSATU’s Patrick Craven told Newsreel on Wednesday that the time has come “to bring even more pressure on the leaders of the African countries to stop recognising Mugabe’s government”. Craven said the only form of administration that should be accepted is a “transitional administration made up in proportion to the votes cast in the March elections”.

Craven added that Saturday’s demonstration will send out a clear message that people “will not accept the term of office by a leader who has lost credibility not only in Zimbabwe, but in the world at large”.

He said the demonstration is also vital to show the Zimbabwean people that there are people in the world who are “fully in support of them and that they are not alone or isolated. On the contrary it is their so called president who is now internationally isolated”.