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The dismissal of ZUJ president
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
March 08, 2004

The Zimbabwe Congress Of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is dismayed by the reports of the dismissal of Matthew Takaona, The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) from his post as acting News Editor of the Sunday Mail.

The dismissal of Takaona further confirms the widespread victimisation of trade unionists in the country as it comes after the ZCTU President, Lovemore Matombo was also dismissed from ZIMPOST for carrying out trade union activities.

It is also disturbing to note that, Takaona was dismissed for addressing workers at the DAILY NEWS which was purely his duty as President of ZUJ.

The dismissal of Takaona from Zimbabwe Papers (Zimpapers), is a clear sign that the powers that be at the organization want to create a buffer zone so as to 'panel beat' their journalists to be more 'patriotic'. It is a step meant to divide journalists and further polarize the media in the country. As ZUJ President, Mathew Takaona was doing his rightful duty as a trade unionist to represent his constituency regardless of where those employees came from. After all some of the journalists at the DAILY NEWS voted him to be president of ZUJ.

Zimpapers should note that they are not the ultimate employer of journalists in Zimbabwe and therefore should respect the trade union duties of their employees. Just like any other employee or Zimbabwean, journalists at Zimpapers should enjoy their freedom of association as enshrined in the constitution.

The ZCTU therefore calls on Zimpapers not to mix business with politics and should reinstate the ZUJ president to his post.

Wellington Chibebe
Secretary General

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