COSATU supports the call for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe COSATU notes with concern the situation in our neighbouring sister country of Zimbabwe. Having travelled the long journey with our fellow comrades thus far, we are proud of the remarkable steps forward made by the people of Zimbabwe towards creating a sustainable momentum for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. We recognise the hard sacrifices, determination and resilience of the working and poor masses of Zimbabwe in their decisive struggles for democracy that created a regional momentum not seen since the anti-colonial and apartheid struggles. We are proud to have played a part, however small, towards that end and pledge to continue being part of the movement for the renewal and democratisation of our beloved region, Southern Africa. The critical lesson derived from the Zimbabwean crisis is that without a continuous struggle to deepen democracy, provide profound alternatives to the failures of neo-liberalism and restore the centrality of the people as the sovereign in any country, there can be never be sustainable progress and improvement in the quality of lives of the people. In the same vein, we are convinced that the struggle for democracy at home is at the same time a struggle for democracy on a global scale, hence the importance of understanding the real meaning of anti-imperialism and the revolutionary outlook of any liberation struggle. We take this opportunity to salute the SADC facilitator, President Jacob Zuma and his whole team, particularly the sterling role of the President’s International Adviser, Lindiwe Zulu, who has been on the receiving end of targeted and personalised attacks for her principled role in the facilitation process. Such forthrightness, decisiveness and firmness on principle is what SADC and any other multilateral institution need to take forward the genuine aspirations of the people. As COSATU, we fully agree with the Zimbabwe Council of Churches when it say, “We salute the determination, commitment and patience shown by the political leaders and the people of Zimbabwe in concluding this important process. The support of Zimbabwe’s neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was crucial towards the achievement of this milestone”. It went on to say, “This new constitution marks a new chapter in the continuing struggle for democracy, good governance, rule of law and economic development. These are ideals that began with the national liberation struggles against colonialism and oppression”. It finally said, “We remind the nation that having a new constitution is just the beginning. Zimbabweans must internalize all the values enshrined in the new constitution and live by them if the supreme law is to make a difference in our lives. Our collective task as the nation of Zimbabwe, is to make our new constitution a living document that shapes our conduct, guides our actions, and that constantly reminds all of us to cherish freedom, equality, peace, justice, tolerance, prosperity, patriotism and unity in our rich diversity. May this, our new constitution be the glue that binds us together as one nation, as we march towards our common destiny. May our new-found values of peace, tolerance, respect for human rights and the rule of law enshrined in our new constitution guide us in the lead up to, during and after the coming harmonised elections. We encourage those who will be elected as Councillors, Parliamentarians and Senators to make sure that the new constitution will reach their constituencies and is explained in the language that people understand to avoid wrong interpretations”. We are however disappointed that following the good directives of the SADC Maputo Summit, the ZANU-PF regime has proceeded to unilaterally announce an election date, which has proven to be unsuitable as the state of readiness has clearly confirmed on the ground. Even more worrying are the growing incidences of violence and attacks against opposition members canvassing in the various wards and communities, which threatens to reverse all the good work covered by the SADC facilitation team. We remain seized with the holistic package of reforms that all the parties of Zimbabwe committed themselves to in the Global Political Agreement (GPA) as signed in 2008. They are not just about electoral reforms, but all the critical areas requiring reforms, including and particularly the security cluster, media and the judiciary to embrace a diverse political dispensation and all the people of Zimbabwe in their diverse political opinions We call on the coming meeting of the SADC Organ Troika to act with the required firmness and demand all parties adhere to the agreed measures in the GPA and that a climate for free and fair elections remains central to real and tangible progress in Zimbabwe. Finally, SADC is called upon to maintain and even strengthen the firmness of principle in dealing with deviants and saboteurs of democracy in any of the countries under its jurisdiction, without fear of reprisals. COSATU sends well revolutionary regards to the sister people of Zimbabwe as they embark upon the last mile of this historic journey, the struggle to freely choose leaders of their own choice and to determine their own destiny like all other people in many parts of the world. The right to register, vote and express views about their own country is fundamental to the destiny of a people in any country and the whole continent’s path to change. We must fight and defend it wherever its threatened, because we all lose or with together.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:20:35 +0000
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