The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed its outrage on Tuesday at violence against Zimbabwe trade unions.
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said a statement by Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe — reported on Monday — condoned the use of violence by police against Zimbabwean trade unions.
Craven said Mugabe was happy with police dealing sternly with Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders during their September 13 protests.
”This is nothing less than a justification of brutality and torture against workers who were peacefully exercising their right to demonstrate,” said Craven.
Members of the ZCTU were protesting against high unemployment rates and poverty.
Organisers of the ZCTU protests were beaten and arrested while gathering for a march in the streets of Harare.
ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe’s arm was broken while other labour leaders were assaulted in police custody.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported that Mugabe has made no apologies to the ZCTU leadership.
An investigation into police conduct is expected later this week. — Sapa