Zimbabwe: Attacks on unionists continue after election

In its final statement, the Southern African Development Community team of election observers said that the results did not express the will of the Zimbabwean people. The SADC observer report said that its mission took place under "unprecedented levels of violence and political intolerance, followed by extreme statements from the country's principal political figures." According to ZIMTA General Secretary Richard Gundane, there is less victimisation of teachers this week. Fewer teachers were called to be polling officers in the 27 June election, compared to the first round of the presidential election in March. The situation of teachers remains very difficult, however, as Zimbabwe's rocketing inflation has dramatically increased the price of basic goods. A loaf of bread now costs over 600 million Zimbabwe dollars and customers simply do not have the money. ZIMTA continues to negotiate wage increases with the Public Service Commission, but the inflation immediately absorbs any increments. Teachers are quitting their jobs as their 400 million-dollar salary is not sufficient to pay for transport to and from school, let alone grocery bills. The economic situation also impacts on the trade union's daily work. ZIMTA finds it difficult to operate, to undertake outreach programmes for its members, or to pay the wages of the ZIMTA staff. The climate of violence remains persistent. Ruling party activists and security forces harassed and beat up members and officials of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) and its affiliates. The ZCTU district chairperson for Chivhu, Tinashe Murau, was seriously beaten after Zanu PF militia questioned why he wears ZCTU t-shirts and attends ZCTU meetings. Rebecca Butau, a ZCTU councilor based in Chegutu, was also seriously beaten and had to seek medical attention. Those who beat her said they were looking for David Zunde, another union official from the food industry. Currently Zunde is on the run. Forty-six 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. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), an affiliate of the ZCTU, says it has closed its main office after its officials were harassed by unknown people since the start of the presidential run off. Two cars came for PTUZ General Secretary Raymond Majongwe, but fortunately he was not at his home. On 29 June, other cars visited the PTUZ treasurer’s wife claiming that they wanted to take her to ‘a funeral’. The PTUZ Treasurer Labistous Zunde, who had been missing, has now been located by PTUZ officials. On 28 June, four men in a black 4x4 bearing no license plates went to the PTUZ Vice President Abigail Tagwirei's house in Glenview (Mashonaland East). The men, who claimed to be Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) officials, demanded to know Tagwirei's whereabouts. The next day, parts of her house had been ransacked. EI continues to closely monitor the situation in Zimbabwe and is in regular communication with ZIMTA. The Urgent Action Appeal remains active and very relevant. Teacher organisations and human rights groups can continue to address protest letters to the Zimbabwe authorities and to their own Ministry of Foreign Affairs to draw attention to the violence against trade union activists.

[Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:56:41 +0000] | DIGG THIS

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Urgent Action Appeal on Zimbabwe