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- COSATU Today -
Our side of the story
Thursday 3 July 2008
Contents
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840876"Workplace
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840877"1.1 NUM gets ready for strike action
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840878"1.2 Strike action on 9th July 2008
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840879"1.3 A revolution from below is now an
exigency
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840880"1.4 Safety leaders gather at NUM safety
indaba
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840881"1.5 N Cape Provincial Executive Committee
decisions
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840882"South Africa
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840883"2.1 Open letter to SA Human Rights Commission
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840884"2.2 We are prepared to die in defense of
Kabelo Thibedi
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840885"2.3 Passing away of Joe Nhlanhla
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840886"International
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840887"3.1 Re African Union Resolution on Zimbabwe
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840888"3.2 We demand a democratic solution to
Zimbabwe crisis
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840889"3.3 Text of AU Summit Resolution on Zimbabwe
HYPERLINK \l "BM__Toc202840890"3.4 Take strong action against the ZANU-PF
Workplace
1.1 NUM gets ready for strike action
Lesiba Seshoka, 2 July 2008
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has begun mobilizing its foot
soldiers for the provincial electricity and food prices strikes which will
culminate in a national strike action on 6th August 2008.
As part of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) ’s programme
of action against rising food prices and soaring electricity tariffs, the
NUM, COSATU ‘s largest affiliate has begun the mobilization process that
will see its 320 000 members strike on August 06.
“We want to send a very strong message that the poor are part of this
society which puts electricity, food and everything beyond its reach” says
Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary.
Fuel costs have skyrocketed making it difficult for workers to move from the
mines to see their families; rate hikes make life unbearable for ordinary
poor workers driving thousands into shack life as they can no longer afford
their houses while the price of basic food is unaffordable sending millions
into starvation.
“The NUM believes that the time to act is NOW and calls on all its members
to be fully behind the strike” argues Baleni.
Thousands of members have already shown their intention to support the
strike actions taking place provincially and nationally.
The strike actions will take place as follows:
Dates
Provinces
9 July 2008
Kwazulu Natal Province
9 July 2008
Western Cape Province
9 July 2008
Eastern Cape Province
16 July 2008
Mpumalanga Province
16 July 2008
Northern Cape Province
16 July 2008
Free State Province
23 July 2008
Limpopo Province
23 July 2008
North West Province
23 July 2008
Gauteng Province
6 August 2008
National Strike Day
Lesiba Seshoka (NUM National Spokesperson) - 082 803 6719
1.2 Strike action on 9th July 2008
Irvin Jim, 2 July 2008
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa in the Eastern Cape call
on its members and the broader society to join a COSATU strike scheduled to
take place on the 9th of July 2008.
We are calling on our members in Auto, Tyre, Engineering and Motor to join
the strike action of the 9th July 2008 organized by our federation, COSATU
to protest and reject the current continuous increase of food prices, petrol
hikes, and continuous increase of interest rate by the Reserve Bank.
NUMSA as a union is extremely angered by the fact that our members had to
bare the brunt of these conditions, our members in the past six months had
to face short time in car manufactures like VWSA, Schnellecke SA, Kromberg
and Schubert, General Motors SA, and many companies in the component sector
are affected by this situation.
The recent drop in the car sales is directly linked to this high interest
rate, and in one way or another, NUMSA Eastern Cape is of the view TITO
MBOWENI and those who are responsible for messing up fiscal and monetary
policy, chasing inflation targeting must take full responsibility for this
problem.
NUMSA Eastern Cape reject the opportunistic stance taken by companies like
GENERAL MOTORS SA, this company has served our union with section 189A
wanting to retrench +500 workers.
This American company has become so notorious and cruel, just last year it
retrenched +200 workers and when the union proposed a better package to be
offered to workers on voluntary basis this company refused and went
clandestine to make an empty package to our members who are now suffering
in the township
It has now once more served us with another section 189A to retrench +500
workers.
We think this is a notorious plan to close the plant in Kempton Road, and we
would need an explanation from this company when we meet in the consultation
process, because we have witnessed that this company has built a big
warehouse which is the size of about 62 stadiums at Markman.
We think that they want to stop production in South Africa and just import
cars using us as a dumping ground and NUMSA will do whatever it takes to
fight such an agenda and in our view this matter of General Motors will be
at the core of the extension of the MIDP.
NUMSA think that some of these companies are manipulative for instance these
companies are the beneficiaries of the MIDP, they generate a lot of money
through rebate incentives, and they also transfer credit certificates from
catalytic converters to import and export cars generating a lot of profits
for themselves.
They are using the current environment to justify the retrenchment of
workers for the sole purpose of maximization of profits. NUMSA Eastern Cape
call on its members to stand up rise and reject these conditions that are
created by neo-liberal policies of the current government, and through our
strike action next week we are communicating one message to the bosses that
your greed of profits its rejected.
Its time for the bosses to share their mega profits with poor suffering
workers who take care of many thousands of the unemployed who are
languishing in squalor and abject poverty and every suffering that
accompanies unemployment.
The strike action of COSATU next week on the 9th July 2008 is about saying
no to the current deepening inequalities, that is why we calling on all our
members and the broader community to join this protected strike action of
workers.
COSATU will have three marches on the 9th July 2008; these will be in East
London, Port Elizabeth, and Queenstown. This coming Saturday, 5 July 2008
COSATU will have a shop steward council in East London to do final
preparations for the strike of the 9th July 2008.
We are calling on all our members that it is time to make history in that we
cannot fold arms and do nothing when our jobs and our life is made so
unbearable by both the state and the capitalist class in their advancement
of the society of greed, its time to stand up and fight for the future of
our families.
Irvin Jim, NUMSA Eastern Cape Regional Secretary, 041 363 1010
1.3 A revolution from below is now an exigency
Benzi Ka-Soko, 2 July 2008
We are victims of petrol’s yoyo game. The ever-rising petrol price has now
become an albatross around the necks of human beings especially the poor
working class people of the world. Our dependence on this commodity has
turned us into slaves and we seem to be unable to come out of this quagmire
unless we challenge the current economic policies which are engineered by
greedy speculators somewhere in their dark boardrooms.
The current policies governing our existence are an onslaught to the poor
simply because they further condemn us to live our lives in accordance with
the dictates of the super rich. The exorbitant prices on food, diesel,
petrol and other commodities are tantamount to a death penalty to those who
cannot afford.
COSATU is preparing to mobilize workers and the working class generally to
embark on a massive campaign through marches and demonstrations aimed at
voicing our anger towards skyrocketing food prices countrywide. We cannot
continue to be victimized by these price increases as if there is nothing we
can do. We demand government to set up measures for food price regulation.
Workers have the power to bargain and it should be unleashed to challenge
the current statusquo. Employers are always adamant to make serious material
changes in favour of workers in order for them to be able to participate in
the economic mainstream. Therefore it is logical that workers should use
their labour power to level the playing field.
SA is one of the highly unequal societies in the world and the Trade Union
Movement should intensify its struggle against unemployment, poverty,
privatization of medical care, the stinking wage gap and other ills
prevailing in the current economic set-up.
THIS SECOND DECADE OF OUR FREEDOM BELONGS TO THE WORKING CLASS. THIS IS
NON-NEGOTIABLE.
There is great need to call the masses to hit the streets of SA. There is a
greater need for the masses of this country to demand quality service
delivery. There is even a greater need to call on the masses to claim a
sizeable stake in the economic mainstream of the land.
These revolutionary calls are made in the light of the skyrocketing food
prices and other basic commodities that are critical for human sustenance.
In the very recent past, we have experienced a number of economic
frustrations as a result of Capitalist policies of fiscal discipline. First,
we woke up one day to newspaper headlines shouting ‘Bread-price fixing
exposed’. This exposure indicated that there was empirical evidence
suggesting that bread-baking companies have always been involved in this
commercial crime.
Adding pepper to the bleeding wound, we have also recently been told that
milk-prices were also fixed. We are being told of these crimes against the
poor amid the continuously increasing fuel prices that seem to have become
ordinary daily occurrences in this country. Still reeling from these
shocking developments, the SA public has become regular victims of power
cuts as a result of ESKOM failure to provide electricity, euphemistically
called ‘load shedding’. How do we expect the poor to pay the 53% hike?
The SA public cannot continue to sit and do nothing about these rip-offs. We
need to rise and rebel. We are paying highly exorbitant taxes in this
country and these taxes should be making our lives better. These exorbitant
taxes are supposed to improve our lives and if that is not happening, which
country are we making better in paying these taxes.
We really cannot continue to live in misery and in abject poverty while the
lives of the super-rich continue to nutritiously and economically blossom.
The citizens of this country should begin playing their revolutionary role
in the shaping of pro-poor policies for the upliftment of the plight of the
downtrodden.
Benzi ka-Soko is POPCRU National Spokesperson, 011 242 4600; 082 732 6324
1.4 Safety leaders gather at NUM safety indaba
Eric Gcilitshana, Lesiba Seshoka, 2 July 2008
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will hold a Safety Indaba from the
03rd to the 4th July at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. Participants will range
from Safety Shaft stewards from various mines across the country to regional
and national leadership of the NUM.
The Chief Inspector of Mines, Thabo Gazi will speak on “The state of Health
and Safety in the mines in South Africa” while the Acting Chief Inspector at
the Department of Labour will address the audience on “The state of Health
and Safety in the construction and Energy sectors”.
The NUM Safety Indaba is a build-up to the National Tripartite Safety Indaba
between the Industry, the government as well as labour scheduled to take
place later this year.
The Indaba will afford the Safety Stewards an opportunity to share
experiences of the various workplaces and forge a common understanding of
the deaths and accidents bedeviling the industry. It will also allow the
organization to forge strategies on the way forward in terms of dealing with
the problems of safety at the workplace.
“We are serious about safety. We want to ensure that our safety stewards are
sensitized on the seriousness in which we value human life in order to
exercise their right to refuse to do dangerous jobs” says Eric Gcilitshana,
the NUM‘s National Secretary for Health And Safety.
“We are going to push for safety at all costs” he says.
Eric Gcilitshana (NUM Secretary for Health and Safety) - 082 809 3105
Lesiba Seshoka (NUM National Spokesperson) - 082 803 6719; (011) 377 2042
1.5 N Cape Provincial Executive Committee decisions
William Sikali, 1 July 2008
ORGANISATIONAL
Our Second Provincial Shop Stewards Council which will be convened in
Upington in the Siyanda region on 12th July 2008, will be launching in our
campaigns programme which will set tone of our intended industrial action in
the province.
The PEC has developed a programme which will commence from 4th of July 2008
to lay the foundation and the basis of our campaigns mobilization programme.
Amongst other things the programme is comprising of meetings with strategic
formations in society like taxi associations; Ward Committees; ANC Branches,
the Provincial Youth Forums, Faith Groups and so on.
GENDER AND EDUCATION
The PEC has resolved to launch the Provincial Gender Structure on the Month
of August 2008 and the structure will develop a programme of gender and
education.
A document has been developed for inducting our locals and this programme
will commence simultaneously with the launching of locals in the Province
which will commence from the 3rd week of July 2008.
GENERAL ELECTIONS 2009
The PEC in the province re-affirms the 9th National Congress Resolutions of
swelling the ranks of the ANC and building the South African Communist
Party. We further re-affirm our commitment in ensuring that the Alliance
Functions and operates in a manner that will advance the cause of the
working class and the poor.
ANC PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE
The PEC resolved to adopt preferred names for the leadership of the Province
in the ANC Conference in line with the 09th National Congress resolution and
04th Central Committee Resolutions (see below).
The 52nd Conference of the ANC resolved to reconfigure the movement and to
ensure that the ANC is working class biased. Polokwane has made major shifts
to the left and we must defend these gains against all odds.
1. Provincial Chairperson: John Block
2. Deputy Provincial Chairperson: K. Moimang
3. Provincial Secretary: Zamani Saul
4. Deputy Secretary: Alvin Botes
5. Provincial Treasurer: Yolanda Botes
XENOPHOBIA
We reaffirm as a Province the stance of the federation on the so-called
xenophobic attacks and we condemn these actions with the outmost contempt.
As a Province we do not believe the motive behind these attacks is as a
result of direct consequences of xenophobia but mere criminal
manifestations. We will not and cannot condone these actions, not now not
ever. We are calling upon SAPS to conduct through investigations of these
criminal actions and all the perpetrators must be brought to book.
MEDIA ATTACKS
The PEC condemns all the media statements against the leaders of the
federation in the province and nationally particularly the General Secretary
of COSATU by Fezile Kies and other faceless sources in the public domain.
It is this kind of behaviour that has almost torn the alliance apart. If
they and others have problems with the alliance partners we urge them to
communicate with the relevant structures of the alliance.
In conclusion, COSATU is highly committed to the unity, the coercion and
most importantly the success of the Alliance Partners.
Contact COSATU N Cape Provincial Secretary, William Sikali, on 082 491 1591
South Africa
2.1 Open letter to SA Human Rights Commission
Blade Nzimande, General Secretary, 2 July 2008
I am writing this letter out of concerns I have about the manner in which
the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is handling the matters relating to COSATU
General Secretary, Cde Zwelinzima Vavi, and ANC Youth League President, Cde
Julius Malema. The aim however is not to get into the merits or demerits of
the issues at hand. The two comrades have explained themselves, including
the context within which these remarks were made.
We are raising these matters not as detraction from some of the very good
work done by the HRC in our emerging democratic dispensation. For instance
one of the most sterling pieces of work done by the HRC is that of a
thorough investigation into the socio-economic conditions of farm workers in
South Africa’s countryside and some of its investigations into various
aspects of racism in our society. The SACP supports the existence of, and
generally the work done by, the HRC. It is precisely for these reasons that
we are now deeply disturbed by the recent developments and behaviour of the
HRC, which threatens to undermine its track record thus far.
The manner in which the Vavi and Malema matters have been handled by the HRC
is deeply worrying as it threatens to erode whatever good work this
Commission has done before. In my view its handling of these matters
seriously undermines its constitutional mandate to “promote the observance
of, respect for and the protection of fundamental rights; to develop an
awareness of fundamental rights among all people of the Republic”. In
undertaking these tasks, the HRC has to be seen to be performing its duties
in a fair, impartial, balanced and independent manner, without fear,
prejudice or favour.
The Human Rights Commission Act, 1994, states, among other things, that “A
member of the Commission or a member of the staff of the Commission shall
serve impartially and independently and exercise or perform his or her
powers, duties and functions in good faith and without fear, favour, bias or
prejudice and subject only to the Constitution and the law”.
With regard to investigations the HRC Act further states that:
“If it appears to the Commission during the course of an investigation that
any person is being implicated in the matter being investigated, the
Commission shall afford such person an opportunity to be heard in connection
therewith by way of giving of evidence or the making of submissions and such
person or his or her legal representative shall be entitled, through the
Commission, to question other witnesses, determined by the Commission, who
have appeared before the Commission in terms of this section”.
In both the cases referred to here it is indeed deeply disturbing that the
HRC never afforded any of these comrades an opportunity to be heard. The HRC
simply issued an instruction for them to apologise within 14 days, based on
information exclusively gleaned from media reports. This is indeed very
serious. Institutions like the HRC cannot operate by way of simply taking
what is in the media, formulate an opinion without engaging the relevant
persons, and make a public judgement that they are indeed already guilty!
This is a very serious violation of the Constitution, laws of natural
justice and the very spirit and the letter of the Act governing the HRC, and
practically turns the HRC into a kangaroo court.
I am raising this matter because there is a dangerous practice that is
creeping into some of our legal institutions in particular, and South
African society in general, that of simply making public and judgemental
statements about individuals, without these individuals being given the
right to a proper hearing. This seems to be especially the case with those
who occupy prominent and public offices. Some years back the former Minister
of Safety and Security publicly accused some ANC leaders for planning to
remove the President; followed by the infamous ‘prima-facie’ statement by a
former Director of Public Prosecutions on ANC President Jacob Zuma. The
manner in which the Constitutional Court has publicly pronounced itself on
the allegations against Judge Hlophe also leaves a bitter after-taste; and
now the behaviour of the HRC. Such actions unjustifiably unleash the always
‘battle ready’ media lynch mob, without observance of any due process as
contained in our Constitution, thus severely prejudicing the individuals
concerned.
For example, in its letter to the General Secretary of COSATU, Zwelinzima
Vavi, the HRC, says:
“The Commission has noted reported statements and media release from COSATU
yesterday. Notwithstanding that, the Commission remains concerned about your
utterances, even if they were not meant literally, as they are in conflict
with the values enshrined in our Constitution, including the values of
equality, human dignity and advancement of Human Rights”
It is noteworthy here and indeed very disturbing that the starting point of
the HRC, without any investigation or hearing already proceeds from the
standpoint of ‘reported statements’. From this premise the HRC, without any
hearing or investigation, proceeds to make the conclusion that:
“Having regard to the above, we remain of the view that your statement,
whatever its intention, and recognising the context within which it was
made, may have been and in fact has the potential of negative consequences
for our society”.
Then the letter ends by saying:
“In pursuance of our constitutional mandate, the Commission is obliged to
kindly request that you withdraw your statement unequivocally within
fourteen days, failing which the Commission would take the matter further in
line with its mandate”.
Then the HRC proceeds to publicly announce this request in the media,
without any interaction whatsoever with the individual concerned. This, I
would argue, constitutes a very serious violation of our Constitution and
the very mandate of the HRC. In its pursuance of protecting human rights of
South Africans, the HRC is also obliged to act in a manner that is in line
with our supreme law and laws of natural justice.
Perhaps at the heart of the problem in the manner in which the HRC has
handled these matters is that either it has no detailed procedures, policies
or protocols on how it conducts investigations, OR it has never sought to
engage us, as the public, on how it conducts its work. This is deeply
concerning given the fact that very HRC Act states that:
“Subject to the provisions of this Act, the procedure to be followed in
conducting an investigation shall be determined by the Commission with due
regard to the circumstances of each case
“The Commission shall from time to time by notice in the Gazette make known
the particulars of the procedure which it has determined in terms of (the
above subsection)”
In both the cases referred to here the HRC has neither informed the relevant
persons of the ‘procedure to be followed in conducting an investigation’,
nor has it, to the best my knowledge, made it known in the Gazette ‘the
procedure which it has determined’.
One is fully aware and accepts the fact that the HRC has to deal with a
variety of matters, many of which are without precedent, and often require
urgent intervention; but this can be no justification whatsoever for taking
short-cuts on matters that the HRC itself readily admits are of fundamental
importance in building a new human rights regime in a democratic South
Africa. These would include due process, scrupulous adherence to the right
to be heard and open, impartial and transparent processes in examining
issues.
The behaviour on the part of the HRC on the cases referred to here raises
some fundamental issues about the need for the HRC to engage the South
African public on its policies, procedures and a protocol regarding its
investigations and how it chooses the issues it takes up. For instance, on a
number of occasions in the recent past where blatant threats to human rights
have occurred, the HRC, and many other public commentators, have been loudly
silent. These include the findings of the Public Protector about the
violation of the rights of ANC President Jacob Zuma, as well as the
continued threats by the IFP, as recently as last night on national
television, to cause mayhem and bloodshed around the street-renaming process
in Durban and similar threats and public burning of a book critical of its
leader. In fact the IFP has already caused a lot of physical destruction of
property in its protests against street-renaming, and where is the voice of
the HRC in all this?
It is for the above reasons that the HRC needs to engage the South African
public on its policies and protocols, otherwise it runs the risk of being
seen as selective and conveniently cherry-picking instances of human rights
abuses. It is this selectivity that has bedevilled and threatens to erode
the confidence of the majority of our people in some of the institutions of
the criminal justice system, notably the Scorpions and the National
Prosecuting Authority.
Let the HRC guard against this danger! Failure to adhere to the basic
principles of natural justice also runs the risk of reducing the HRC into an
institution that is biased towards elites, who happen to have access to the
media as well as legal resources.
Asikhulume!!
2.2 We are prepared to die in defense of Kabelo Thibedi
Castro Ngobese, 2 July 2008
The Young Communist League [YCL] and the Justice For Kabelo Trust [JFKT]
calls on all victims of Home Affairs; all those who have had bad
experiences; those who have problems in relation to ID Documents; we call on
such victims to join Kabelo Thibedi when he appears in Court tomorrow, 03
July 2008, Johannesburg Magistrate Court, Piliso [formerly West] Street.
We call on the working class and the poor youth to join Thibedi en masse
when he appears in court. We should all be guided by our preparedness to die
and defend Thibedi against an unjust incarceration; similarly we are guided
by our love for him and millions of South Africans who are without ID's and
deprived of governments services.
Thibedi will be accompanied by the National Secretary of the YCL Buti
Manamela and members of the YCL and the progressive youth formations when he
appears in Court tomorrow.
Thibedi is a young man who was deprived of his right to have an Identity
Document in order to further his studies. His ordeal went on for more than
two [2] years, like many South Africans who continue to bottle the
frustrations imposed upon them by the poor services of the Department of
Home Affairs.
He decided to take action. A few years ago, his frustrations led him to
purchase a toy gun. He storm into the Department of Home Affairs offices in
Market Street, Johannesburg and held one bureaucrat hostage, demanding his
ID.
Thibedi was sentenced for five [5] years imprisonment and is currently out
of prison pending his appeal. Thibedi is currently employed as National
Campaigns Officer of the Young Communist League.
The details of Kabelo Thibedi’s court appearance are as follows:
Date: Thursday 03 July 2008
Time: 09h00
Venue: JHB Magistrate Court, Piliso [formerly West] Street
Issued by YCL
Contact Castro Ngobese, YCL National Spokesperson – 082 567 3557 / 083 670
1105
2.3 Passing away of Joe Nhlanhla
Jessie Duarte, Donovan Cloete, Vuyisa Manyandela, 2 July 2008
It is with great sadness that we, the African National Congress announce the
passing away of Joe Nhlanhla.
He passed away after spending four weeks at Milpark Hospital, in a coma.
Joe Nhlanhla has dedicated his life to the struggle for a non-racial,
non-sexist democratic South Africa. It is through the contribution of his
extraordinary capacity of intelligence and militancy that today South
Africans enjoy the benefits of a peaceful democratic country. His commitment
to the struggle will always be honored and remembered by the ANC and the
rest of the country.
Joseph (Joe) Mbuku Nhlanhla was born on 4 December 1936 in Sophiatown. He
was one of the five children of Christina Toli (born Buhali) and Samuel
Nhlanhla. Both parents were originally from the Free State Province
(formerly known as Orange Free State). His father left Free State as he
refused to be under the oppressive racist rules of the area he lived in and
the family settled in Sophiatown.
A victim of the infamous Sophiatown forceful removals, the Nhlanhla family
settled in Alexandra township. He attended school at the local primary
school named, Ikage Primary School. He enrolled at Kilnerton High School,
where he matriculated in 1956.
As a person who always had an interest in politics, he finally joined the
African National Congress (ANC), and was an active member of the ANC Youth
League. During this period, he served as the secretary of the Alexandra
Youth League and was a member of the Transvaal Executive Committee of the
ANC Youth League. His love for his people saw Joe getting involved in the
anti-pass campaign as well as the 1957 bus and potato boycotts. He was among
the first people to be arrested during the 1960 state of emergency and was
detained on 28 March that year. On his release a few days before the lifting
of the emergency, he was 'restricted' and confined to the magisterial area
of Johannesburg.
In 1964, Nhlanhla left South Africa for Tanzania after which he was selected
by the ANC to study Economics at the Plekhanov Institute in Moscow. After
completing his studies in 1969, he returned to Tanzania to serve as head of
the ANC's youth and student structures.
In 1973, he was appointed as the ANC's Chief Representative in Egypt and the
Middle East during which time he represented the ANC on the Afro- Asian
People's Solidarity Organisation, the forerunner of the Non-Aligned
Movement.
Nhlanhla, a long-serving member of the National Executive Committee of the
ANC, served on the National Preparatory Committee which prepared for the
return of the ANC to South Africa. He was part of the ANC delegation at the
Groote Schuur talks in May 1990, which opened negotiations with the South
African Government.
During the Convention for a Democratic South Africa negotiations, Nhlanhla
played a key role in smoothing over difficulties relating to the interim
Government and the future of the intelligence services. Nhlanhla was elected
as Member of Parliament in the first democratic Parliament in 1994 and was
appointed Deputy Minister for Intelligence Services in February 1995. In
1999, he was appointed by President Thabo Mbeki as Minister for Intelligence
Services, a position he held until he was no longer able to due to ill
health.
Nhlanhla's life speaks of his dedication to the cause of freedom of his
people. He pursued the challenge of creating a better life for all South
Africans, both Black and White, through his unwavering commitment of over
half a century to advancing the climate for negotiations and peace.
We dip our revolutionary banner in remembrance of Joe Nhlanhla and wish to
express our heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives.
Issued by, Jessie Duarte, ANC Spokesperson
For more information contact Donovan Cloete, 082 773 1013 or Vuyisa
Manyandela, 011 376 1052
International
3.1 Re African Union Resolution on Zimbabwe
Nqobizitha Mlilo, George Sibotshiwe, Nelson Chamisa, 2 July 2008
The Movement for Democratic Change acknowledges the concern about the
Zimbabwe crisis expressed in the resolution adopted at the 11th Ordinary
Session of the African Union General Assembly.
The MDC would like to thank those African leaders who have joined the global
chorus by standing on the side of the Zimbabwean people and advocating that
their voices be heard.
The MDC would like to thank the Pan African Parliament, SADC and AU observer
missions for acknowledging the reality and pervasiveness of the violence in
Zimbabwe and refusing to give the June 27th election any credibility or
legitimacy.
The common conclusions of all three reports were:
A – the violence negated the credibility of the June 27 elections
B – the election did not reflect the will of the people
C – consequently the outcome is not legitimate.
If the African Union acknowledged thier reports, then we in the MDC feel
that their own resolution should have been consistent with them.
Unfortunately, this was not the case. The MDC is concerned that:
The resolution does not adequately deal with the ongoing violence in
Zimbabwe. Since the June 27 sham election, 9 MDC supporters have been
murdered, hundreds more beaten and forced to leave their homes. In
Manicaland alone, since the weekend, five hundred MDC supporters and
families have been forced to flee their homes and are now seeking refuge at
the party's headquarters in Mutare. Therefore the MDC reiterates its call
for peace in the country.
In addition, the resolution does not recognize the illegitimacy of the June
27 elections and the fact that most African leaders refuses to recognize
Mugabe as the Head of State.
Finally, the resolution endorses the concept of a Government of National
Unity without acknowledging that the MDC, as the winner of the last credible
elections on 29th March 2008, should be recognized as the legitimate
government of Zimbabwe. A GNU does not address the problems facing Zimbabwe
or acknowledge the will of the Zimbabwean people.
While the MDC remains committed to negotiations these must be based on the
29th March results and must move towards a transitional agreement. Our
commitment to a negotiated settlement is not about power-sharing or power
deals but about democracy, freedom and justice. Our struggle is not about
power but about democracy.
Significantly, the conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe today are not conducive
to negotiations. If dialogue is to be initiated, it is essential that Zanu
PF stops the violence, halts the persecution of MDC leaders and supporters,
releases all political prisoners, disbands the militia bases and torture
camps and that the security services halt their partisan operations.
The MDC's reservations about the mediation process under President Mbeki are
well known. It is our position that unless the mediation team is expanded to
include at least one permanent representative from the African Union, and
the mediation mechanism is changed, no meaningful progress can be made
towards resolving the Zimbabwean crisis. If this does not happen then the
MDC will not be part of such a mediation process.
The crisis in Zimbabwe requires urgent action. The violence, intimidation,
hunger and suffering must be addressed as soon as possible. Zimbabweans
cannot afford any more confusion or delays. Zimbabweans can no longer afford
to listen to words that are not reinforced by action.
The past two weeks have illustrated just how much support the people of
Zimbabwe have on the continent and across the world. The MDC will continue
to work towards resolving the crisis which is worsening daily.
Zimbabweans, let me take this opportunity to assure you are not alone. As
your leaders, we will never stop struggling on your behalf for a new
Zimbabwe that offers hope, prosperity and freedom. We will never compromise
betray these ideals.
I thank you.
For more information please call MDC on (South Africa) Nqobizitha Mlilo
0835274650 or George Sibotshiwe 0766330314 or (Zimbabwe) Nelson Chamisa
0912940489
3.2 We demand a democratic solution to Zimbabwe crisis
Patrick Craven, 2 July 2008
The Congress of South African Trade Unions believes that the situation in
Zimbabwe is at a critical stage, and it demands decisive action from the
leaders of all African states to uphold the democratic principles of the
African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
COSATU appreciates the role that President Thabo Mbeki has been playing as a
mediator and the constraints that this imposes on his public statements,
since a mediator must not be perceived to be aligned with one or another of
the contending parties.
COSATU feels however that it is now time for the government of South Africa
to speak out, on behalf of all the people of South Africa, in defence of
democracy and human rights.
The SADC protocols governing the conduct of elections were clearly breached
in Zimbabwe before and during the ‘election’ held on 27 June 2008. The
observer teams of the AU, SADC and the African Parliament have confirmed
that the elections were not free and fair and we urge the South African
government to add its voice to theirs to state publicly that it cannot
accept the outcome of the ‘elections’.
If we are to maintain the credibility of the AU, NEPAD and the SADC, it is
essential that all African leaders condemn and disown:
* The state-sponsored harassment, beatings, torture and murder, of
opposition leaders, member and supporters;
* The displacement of thousands of people from their homes which
prevented them from voting;
* The threats of further such violence against voters who refused to
vote for the incumbent president;
* The banning of opposition election rallies and other forms of
campaigning, and forcing people to attend pro-government rallies;
* The removal of the usual polling officers, i.e. teachers and civil
servants, in favour of ruling party supporters;
* Statements by President Mugabe that he would not accept defeat even
if he lost the elections.
* The complete black-out of the opposition in the public 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. We urge the government not to recognise
the government and cancel all invitations to it to attend continental and
international meetings.
While the elections held on 29 March 2008 were less than fully democratic,
they were relatively free and fair and produced a partially accurate
reflection of the will of the people. COSATU therefore supports the proposal
for SADC and the AU to sponsor a transitional administration, in which all
the contending political parties will be represented, in proportion to the
votes cast on 29 March.
The sole mandate of this transitional administration has to be organising
free and fair elections a soon as possible, monitored by an increased number
of domestic and African observers, so that democracy can be restored, human
rights protected and the will of the people reigns supreme.
COSATU is mobilising its 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 border post, on Saturday 5 July 2008.
The federation reiterates its 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 also appeals to all governments and employers to support the
application that has been submitted by labour under Article 26 of the ILO
Constitution against the Zimbabwe government for non-observance of the ILO’s
Convention 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Organise) and Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining)
respectively.
Patrick Craven, COSATU Spokesperson, 011 339 4911/24; 082 821 7456;
HYPERLINK "mailto:patr...@cosatu.org.za"patr...@cosatu.org.za
3.3 Text of AU Summit Resolution on Zimbabwe
AU in Sharm El Sheikh, 1 July 2008
The African Union Assembly, meeting in its 11th Ordinary Session held on
June 30 to July 1, 2008 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt,
DEEPLY CONCERNED with the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe;
DEEPLY CONCERNED with the negative reports of SADC, the African Union and
the Pan-African Parliament observers on the Zimbabwean Presidential run-off
election held on June 27, 2008;
DEEPLY CONCERNED about the violence and the loss of life that has occurred
in Zimbabwe.
CONSIDERING the urgent need to prevent further worsening of the situation
and with a view to avoid spread of conflict with the consequential negative
impact on the country and the sub-region;
FURTHER CONSIDERING the need to create an environment conducive for
democracy, as well as the development of the people of Zimbabwe;
EXPRESSING its appreciation to SADC, and its Organ on Politics, Defence and
Security Co-operation, as well as the Facilitator of the intra-Zimbabwe
dialogue, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South
Africa, and His Excellency Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union
Commission for the ongoing work aimed at reconciling the political parties;
RECOGNISING the complexity of the situation in Zimbabwe;
NOTING the willingness of the political leaders of Zimbabwe to enter into
negotiations to establish a Government of National Unity;
NOTING FURTHER the preparatory discussions on this matter had already
started, under SADC facilitation;
Hereby decide:
1. TO ENCOURAGE President Robert Mugabe and the leader of the MDC
Party Mr Morgan Tsvangirai to honour their commitment to initiate dialogue
with a view to promoting peace, stability, democracy and the reconciliation
of the Zimbabwean people;
2. TO SUPPORT the call, for the creation of a Government of National
Unity;
3. TO SUPPORT the SADC Facilitation, and to recommend that SADC
mediation efforts should be continued in order to resolve the problems they
are facing. In this regard SADC should establish a mechanism on the ground
in order to seize the momentum for a negotiated solution;
4. TO APPEAL to states and all parties concerned to refrain from any
action that may negatively impact on the climate of dialogue;
5. In the spirit of all SADC initiatives, the AU remains convinced
that the people of Zimbabwe will be able to resolve their differences and
work together once again as one Nation, provided they receive undivided
support from SADC, the AU and the world at large.
3.4 Take strong action against the ZANU-PF
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, ITUC-Africa, I July 2008
The international Trade Union Confederation – African Regional Organisation
(ITUC-Africa) representing 16 million members in 46 African countries is
dismayed by the sham run-off elections in Zimbabwe which were held on June
27 in an atmosphere of violence and intimidation by ZANU-PF under the
leadership of President Robert Mugabe. The organized violence and
intimidation which prevailed throughout the country made it impossible for
the MDC to participate in the so-called run-off election resulting in a sham
victory after which Mr. Mugabe was installed as president for another five
year-term.
Furthermore, the intimidation and violence orchestrated by the ZANU-PF
militia and state security agents have led to interference in the work of
the trade union movement and its leadership:
1. The ZCTU district chairperson for Chivhu, Tinashe Murau, was
seriously beaten up by Zanu PF militia just before the 27 June Presidential
Runoff and has had his hand broken and is currently seeking medical
attention. He was beaten after the militia questioned why he wears ZCTU
t-shirts and attends ZCTU meetings.
2. Forty-six (46) members of the General Agriculture Plantation
Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ), an affiliate of the ZCTU, have sought
shelter in Harare after being harassed and beaten up by youth militia. The
members include men, women and children. The ZCTU and GAPWUZ are currently
providing them with food. Indications are that more farm workers will be
displaced.
3. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), also an
affiliate of the ZCTU, has closed its office after its officials have been
harassed by unknown people since the start of the Presidential Run Off. Two
cars (registration Numbers ABD8989 and AAC5574) visited PTUZ general
secretary, Raymond Majongwe, but fortunately he was not at his home. At the
same time, other cars with unknown people visited the PTUZ treasurer’s wife
claiming that they wanted to take her for ‘a funeral’.
4. A ZCTU councilor, Rebecca Butau, based in Chegutu was also
seriously beaten and had to seek medical attention. Those who beat her-up
said they were looking for David Zunde, another union official from the food
industry. Currently Zunde is on the run.
The ITUC-Africa condemns ZANU-PF government in strong terms for the brutal
attacks on the Zimbabwe trade union movement, the continual intimidation and
harassment of some of its leaders. We further condemn the whole manner in
which the run-off elections of June 27 were conducted by ZANU-PF leading to
the withdrawal of the MDC and its candidate from elections.
It is obvious to many that the run-off elections were neither free nor fair
and have only contributed to subvert the will of the Zimbabwean people.
We call on the AU Summit in session in Sham el Sheikh, Egypt, to take strong
action against the ZANU-PF Government in Zimbabwe in order to ensure that
peace, democracy and good governance prevail in the country to allow the
MDC, trade unions and the members of the civil society to play their part in
overcoming the crisis in Zimbabwe.
ITUC-Africa was founded on November 27, 2007. It represents 16 million
workers in 46 African
countries and has 87 national affiliates.
For more information you may contact Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary,
ITUC-Africa, P O Box 67273 -00200, Nairobi, Kenya ; Tel:(+254 – 20) 34 00
46/27 103 10/27 173 08/27 173 24; Fax: (+254 – 20) 221 50 72/27 103 02;
HYPERLINK "mailto:i...@ituc-africa.org"i...@ituc-africa.org
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