The Congress of South African Trade Unions believes that the situation in Zimbabwe is at a critical stage, and it demands decisive action from the leaders of all African states to uphold the democratic principles of the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

COSATU appreciates the role that President Thabo Mbeki has been playing as a mediator and the constraints that this imposes on his public statements, since a mediator must not be perceived to be aligned with one or another of the contending parties.

COSATU feels however that it is now time for the government of South Africa to speak out, on behalf of all the people of South Africa , in defence of democracy and human rights.

The SADC protocols governing the conduct of elections were clearly breached in Zimbabwe before and during the ‘election' held on 27 June 2008. The observer teams of the AU, SADC and the African Parliament have confirmed that the elections were not free and fair and we urge the South African government to add its voice to theirs to state publicly that it cannot accept the outcome of the ‘elections'.

If we are to maintain the credibility of the AU, NEPAD and the SADC, it is essential that all African leaders condemn and disown:

*The state-sponsored harassment, beatings, torture and murder, of opposition leaders, member and supporters;

*The displacement of thousands of people from their homes which prevented them from voting;

*The threats of further such violence against voters who refused to vote for the incumbent president;

*The banning of opposition election rallies and other forms of campaigning, and forcing people to attend pro-government rallies;

*The removal of the usual polling officers, i.e. teachers and civil servants, in favour of ruling party supporters;

*Statements by President Mugabe that he would not accept defeat even if he lost the elections.

*The complete black-out of the opposition in the public media.

It would be a disaster for Africa if its highest representative bodies, AU and SADC, were to recognise the outcome of such an ‘election' and the Mugabe government as legitimate. We urge the government not to recognise the government and cancel all invitations to it to attend continental and international meetings.

While the elections held on 29 March 2008 were less than fully democratic, they were relatively free and fair and produced a partially accurate reflection of the will of the people. COSATU therefore supports the proposal for SADC and the AU to sponsor a transitional administration, in which all the contending political parties will be represented, in proportion to the votes cast on 29 March.

The sole mandate of this transitional administration has to be organising free and fair elections a soon as possible, monitored by an increased number of domestic and African observers, so that democracy can be restored, human rights protected and the will of the people reigns supreme.

COSATU is mobilising its members, civil society and Zimbabweans living in South Africa in solidarity with our fellow trade unions and the people of Zimbabwe , beginning with a demonstration and border blockade at the Beit Bridge border post, on Saturday 5 July 2008.

The federation reiterates its call on the workers in South Africa , SADC, Africa and the world over, as well as all progressive citizens of the world, to work towards a total isolation of Mugabe and his government. We are calling on all our unions and those around the world to make sure that they never ever serve Mugabe anywhere, including at airports, restaurants, shops, etc.  Further we call on all workers and citizens of the world never to allow Mugabe to set foot in their countries.

COSATU also appeals to all governments and employers to support the application that has been submitted by labour under Article 26 of the ILO Constitution against the Zimbabwe government for non-observance of the ILO's Convention 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise) and Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining) respectively.

Statement issued by COSATU July 2 2008