The Congress of South African Trade Unions strongly urges the governments of Africa to refuse to recognise Robert Mugabe as the legitimate head of state of Zimbabwe , and to bar him from attending any meetings of the African Union or SADC.

The scandalous sham ‘election' of 27 June did not in any way reflect the will of the people. He ‘won' the vote by a brutal wave of intimidation, violence and murder, and the systematic sabotage of the opposition MDC's campaign, which forced them to withdraw. COSATU congratulates all those Zimbabweans who bravely refused to vote or spoilt their ballot papers. They refused to legitimise the farcical election, despite the knowledge that they risked further assaults and even their lives as a consequence.

Mugabe has had no mandate to rule since losing the elections on 29 March 2008, and is now more discredited then ever. He is presiding over a ruthless military dictatorship. COSATU calls upon the AU and SADC to disown him and recognise only an interim, transitional administration whose sole task will be to hold new, free and fair elections, with sufficient AU and SADC monitors to ensure that there is no state-sponsored violence and that the will of the people prevails.

Statement issued by COSATU June 29 2008