date: Tuesday 26 August 2008

embargo: For immediate release

TUC calls on Mugabe to set Zimbabwean trade union leaders free

As Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibebe, the leaders of the Zimbabwean trade movement, go on trial in Harare tomorrow (Wednesday) for speaking out against the violence that took place during last month's re-run Presidential election campaign, the TUC has called on the Mugabe regime to drop the charges against the two men and let them go.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has written to the Zimbabwean Ambassador in London, HE Mr Gabriel Mharadze Machinga, to express concern over the trial. The TUC also called for all Zimbabweans to be able to exercise their democratic rights without interference from the State.

Back in June when Lovemore and Wellington (the President and General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions) were due to appear in court, the TUC and Action for Southern Africa held a demonstration outside the Zimbabwean Embassy in London in protest at the two men's bail conditions. These prevented them from speaking in public or attending public meetings - and effectively gagged them throughout the election campaign.

The two had been arrested following speeches made at a May Day rally concerning the violence and intimidation that had become widespread, particularly in rural areas, during the election re-run. As a result, Lovemore and Wellington were charged with supposedly spreading 'falsehoods prejudicial to the state'.

When the two trade union leaders arrived at Harare Magistrate's Court on 23 June, there was no trial magistrate or state prosecutor to initiate proceedings. There were also no court records or witnesses. After waiting around for hours, the union leaders were told that the trial was to be postponed. The ZCTU will now be hoping that the charges are to be dropped later today.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The ZCTU leaders were brave enough to speak out against Mugabe's thugs and as a result the Government silenced them. The presidential re-run election was a farce, and Mugabe has already shown he isn't serious about sharing power or about listening to the true wishes of the Zimbabwean people. The trial must be abandoned and the ZCTU leaders set free, without condition.'

Notes to editors:

- In June the TUC produced a giant picture mosaic of the Zimbabwean union leaders - made up of the faces of almost 2,000 of their supporters from around the globe - allowing them to 'appear' on 23 June, the day of their original trial, at the demo outside the Zimbabwean Embassy in London, something their bail condition prevented them from doing back home.

- If you would like to use the photo mosaic, contact the TUC press office. The image can be viewed at www.wearezctu.org

- Last month pictures for the mosaic were emailed and texted to the TUC from around the globe, from countries including Denmark, Israel, Russia, Malta, Romania, Nigeria, Nepal, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Belgium, Finland, Chile, France, Switzerland, Dominican Republic, India, Germany, Canada, the USA, Australia, Norway, Ireland and South Africa.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (600 words) issued 26 Aug 2008