[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Cosatu solidarity plans for Zimbabwe, Swaziland

[Patrick Bond]

Zim, Swaziland on spotlight for wrong reasons
 
Zimbabwean, 8 September 2008

THE CONGRESS of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is finalising plans 
to exert more pressure on Zimbabwe and Swaziland, as it seeks to ensure 
that the two regional countries uphold democratic principles.

The COSATU central executive committee (CEC) said its affiliates would 
from October engage in demonstrations against King Mswati III's 
leadership in Swaziland, and seek the implementation of a short-term 
trade boycott with the monarch and Zimbabwe, currently holding 
power-sharing talks to end political and economic crisis.

"The CEC agreed to organise demonstrations in support of democracy in 
Swaziland at the South Africa border on 18 September and to plan a 
week-long trade boycott and refusal to handle goods from and to Zimbabwe 
and Swaziland from October 27 to November 1," COSATU spokesperson 
Patrick Craven, said.

"COSATU has written letters to several influential organisations and 
people, including former (South African) president Nelson Mandela, 
Archbishops Emeritus and Desmond Tutu and all trade union federations in 
southern Africa, not to recognise Robert Mugabe as the President of 
Zimbabwe, for stealing elections in that country."

Craven took a swipe at the Swazi electoral system and its extravagant 
spending despite grinding poverty in the country, which last Saturday 
marked 40th anniversary of independence from Britain and celebrated King 
Mswati III's 40th birthday.

"Swaziland is holding elections on September 19 under the tinkhundla 
system that bans political parties and criminalises all forms of 
political activity, marches, demonstrations and protests. The king (King 
Mswati III) set aside R70 million for celebrations of his birthday and 
the 40th anniversary of independence, despite the poverty and the crisis 
into which the royal family has plunged the country."

He, however, hailed the formation of Swaziland United Democratic Front 
(SUDF) as "a giant step in the right direction".--CAJ News.