Cosatu protesters return to Zim embassy

A handful of South African trade unionists gathered outside the Zimbabwe embassy in Pretoria on Wednesday morning for a picket in support of workers’ rights in that country.

About 15 protesters had gathered under the banner of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in the street outside the mission by 10.30am, announcing their presence over an intercom system.

“We have arrived,” they said.

Union representative Jantjie Chiloane said more protesters were expected to arrive by bus from Johannesburg.

He said the group wants to press home concerns over the suppression of workers’ rights in Zimbabwe.

Cosatu claims Zimbabwean workers’ meetings and collective bargaining processes are undermined by the government.

The federation is not against the Zimbabwean government per se, Chiloane said, but opposes how it treats workers.

“Whoever wins the coming election, we will have no problems with as long as they respect workers’ rights.”

If the ruling Zanu-PF wins the poll and continues its current actions against workers, Cosatu will continue exerting pressure, he said.—Sapa