COSATU criticises SADC leadership and calls for Day of Action
By Mark | August 18, 2011
Congress of South African Trade Unions calls on SADC leaders to act now in defence of democracy in Southern Africa
COSATU, 17 August 2011
The Congress of South African Trade Unions notes that the 31st Ordinary Summit of SADC heads of states and government begins today in Luanda, Angola to discuss various issues affecting the region.
We are however very disappointed by the behaviour of the in-coming Chairperson of SADC, Angola’s President Jose Dos Santos who refused entry into Angola for about 17 civil society activists and leaders from the region, as well as two Mozambican journalists, whilst also seizing publications belonging to Zimbabwean activists. This is unacceptable, particularly coming from someone assigned with the responsibility of providing leadership to the whole region at a time when the challenge of democracy, human rights and economic justice are daunting throughout the region. This also brings into question Angola’s own record of freedom of political activity, free flow of information and right to expression. Read the rest of this entry »
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COSATU condemns Swazi bail out
By Mark | August 9, 2011
Congress of South African Trade Unions, 3 August 2011
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is shocked and disappointed at the announcement from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) that the SA government has guaranteed a R2.4 billion loan from the SARB to the Central Bank of Swaziland. Read the rest of this entry »
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Protection of Information Bill, a threat to whistle-blowers
By Mark | June 1, 2011
Congress of South African Trade Unions, 31 May 2011
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is deeply concerned that the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee has begun clause-by-clause voting on a revised version of the Protection of Information Bill, without having addressed the many serious concerns from civil society regarding fundamental problems with the Bill. Read the rest of this entry »
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COSATU Mpumalanga to march to the Swaziland border
By Mark | March 29, 2011
COSATU Mpumalanga Province, 28 March 2011
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Mpumalanga will stage a protest march to the Oshoek Swaziland border gate in support of the struggle waged by the people of Swaziland for freedom and democracy. Read the rest of this entry »
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Unions lead protests in Swaziland
By Mark | March 21, 2011
Owen Tudor, TUC, 18 March
For several months, people have been asking why Northern Africa has seen huge protests, but similar poverty-stricken dictatorships elsewhere in Africa have not. Now, protests have begun in Swaziland, led today by civil service and other unions. Civil servants, students and trade unionists marched to the office of Prime Minister Barnabus Sibusiso Dlamini in the capital Mbabane. They handed over a petition to Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini, demanding that he and the cabinet resign. Armed riot police guarded entrances to government ministries.Estimates of the numbers involved in the protests range from 2,000 to 20,000. The demonstration was met with force from the last absolute monarchy in Africa. Read the rest of this entry »
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Swaziland United Democratic Front prepares for mass protest
By Mark | March 17, 2011
The Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), a coalition of pro-democracy formations comprising labour federations, political organizations, students, and civil society organizations (CSOs), hereby affirms its support for and participation in the MASS PROTEST action initiated by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), commencing in Manzini on Friday, 18th March 2011. Read the rest of this entry »
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SAMWU Condemns Arbitrary Arrest of 52 Socialist Activists in Harare
By Mark | February 23, 2011
South African Municipal Workers’ Union PRESS STATEMENT, 22 February 2011
This Union is outraged at the arrest of 52 activists in Harare on 19th February by armed security personnel. It appears that their only ‘crime’ was to be part of a discussion group, with a film examining recent events in Egypt and the Middle East. They are all currently being detained in Harare Central Prison. This unprovoked attack on a peaceful political education session is indicative of the type of terror that was unleashed by ZANU-PF in the run up to the last elections. Read the rest of this entry »
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South African NGOs mourn murder of Ugandan gay rights activist
By Mark | January 28, 2011
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, Treatment Action Campaign and Section27 are saddened and outraged to learn of the brutal murder of comrade David Kato in Kampala, Uganda yesterday, 26 January 2011. We join activists in Africa and across the world in condolences to fellow comrades in Uganda, his loved ones, family and friends. Read the rest of this entry »
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25th Anniversary of the founding of COSATU
By Sarah | December 6, 2010
Congress of South African Trade Unions, 4 December 2010
The General Secretary’s welcoming address to the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of COSATU
We are workers of South Africa, united under the banner of COSATU. We are creators of the wealth that is enjoyed by a small minority, which has hijacked the wealth we create for their private use. Read the rest of this entry »
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UK audit body to probe BAE and arms sales to South Africa
By Info | November 10, 2010
COSATU, 8 November 2010
COSATU welcome new Arms Deal probe
The Congress of South African Trade Unions welcomes the decision by the UK auditing body, the Accountancy and Actuarial Discipline Board (AADB), to launch a new investigation into the South African arms deal. Read the rest of this entry »
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