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MDC applauds COSATU visit
Paul Themba Nyathi, Secretary for Information and Publicity (MDC)
October 26, 2004

The Movement for Democratic Change applauds the move taken by the Congress of South African Trade Unions to stand in clear solidarity with suffering people of Zimbabwe by refusing to be intimidated into canceling its fact-finding mission to Harare by the regime.

The people of Zimbabwe will remain indebted to the union for their brave stand for democracy. We believe it is the collection of such actions both by SADC governments and civic groups that will give the people of Zimbabwe hope to go on in their struggle for freedom. It will also give a clear message to the regime that its isolation is complete if it continues with its policies that have resulted in lack of food and jobs and continued state violence against innocent people.

The Zimbabwe regime’s attempts to stop the mission are testimony to the fact that it has a lot to hide. It wants to stop hide the fact that it has drawn up laws like POSA that prevent people from meeting freely. It has bombed, shutdown and continues to harass the media. It has sponsored a militia and state agents to maim and murder members of the opposition. It continues to use food as a political tool. It continues to act go against the tide as it continues to act in complete defiance of the Mauritius Protocol to which it is a signatory.

The regime’s economic management has resulted in millions of job losses in industry and on the farms. Industrial and farm workers have all been rendered destitute while hundreds of resettled farmers have had their homes destroyed, and forced to live in the open as top government officials take over the farms. Most government officials are multiple owners of farms.

The MDC remains committed to building a new Zimbabwe will new opportunities for everyone. We remain committed to building people and will participate in a free and fair election if Zimbabwe complies with the Mauritius Protocol by implementing the guidelines on electoral standards.

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