By Lance Guma
04 July 2005

The International Labour Organisations resident Director in Zimbabwe, Tayo Fashoyin has defended governments meddling in the ZCTU saying it was right to pick delegates for the just ended ILO conference. The statement is in stark contrast to the condemnation issued by the groups Credentials Committee, who blasted the government for unnecessarily interfering in the labour unions affairs. The scenario has highlighted once more how most Africans have been sucked into being apologists for African dictators merely on the basis of misguided solidarity.

In an interview with Newsreel Mr Fashoyin said because of the 'squabbles' in the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, government had the right to intervene and select the delegates for them. He refuted claims the government was trying to destabilize the ZCTU saying it was an internal matter that had no government interference. This is despite strong evidence suggesting several individuals are being paid large sums of money to disrupt the labour unions activities.

The ZCTU meanwhile says Mr Fashoyin is still new on the job and is trying by all means to appease the government. A source within the organization says Mugabe's regime assisted him in getting the job and they did not anticipate any negative statements would come from his office. In a separate interview, Mlamleli Sibanda, the ZCTU spokesman says government went on a lobbying campaign to try and justify their interference and most African delegates at the ILO conference had bought the arguments.