The Congress of South African Trade Unions strongly condemns the arrest of Arthur Mutambara, leader of a faction of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), on a charge of writing a derogatory article about President Robert Mugabe, and the police ban on two MDC rallies in Hwange and Victoria Falls that were to have been addressed by its leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Both these incidents confirm that conditions for a free and fair presidential run-off election do not exist. The mere fact that 'writing a derogatory article' about your electoral opponent is defined as a chargeable offence, together with the charging of the editor of The Standard, in which the article appeared, with 'publishing falsehoods', prove how far from free and fair the environment is.

These latest events take place in the context of the ongoing state-sponsored campaign of murder, violence and intimidation against opposition supporters, the eviction of thousands from their homes and the propaganda of the state-controlled media. It is becoming more and more obvious that the Mugabe regime which was defeated in the 29 March elections is determined to steal back the election and deny the people of Zimbabwe their democratic right to elect a government of their own choice.

This calls into question the role of SADC and its chief mediator, President Thabo Mbeki. COSATU notes the letter written to him by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai which accuses President Mbeki of "complicity" and secretly conniving to perpetuate Robert Mugabe's rule. It charges him of lacking neutrality, dividing the MDC, blocking United Nations discussions on Zimbabwe and helping Mugabe's government acquire weapons.

The federation repeats its view that what is happening in Zimbabwe is a brutal onslaught from a regime that is hell-bent on stealing the elections, clinging to power and imposing its will through violence. Mugabe's 'government' has been illegal since its term of office expired at the end of March when the people voted and COSATU again calls the governments of Africa refuse to recognise this illegal despot.

In the meantime, COSATU demands the urgent dispatch of a greatly increased number of SADC, AU and UN observers to monitor the election campaign and expose the regime's anti-democratic practices, and urges civil society to remain vigilant and mobilise their forces to defend democratic rights.