MDC draw line between planned ZCTU protests and theirs

By Lance Guma
03 September 2006

Although the opposition in Zimbabwe enjoys support from the labour unions the MDC have drawn a line between their own programme of action and planned worker protests by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in September. Speaking to Newsreel two days after party leader Morgan Tsvangirai led a march to parliament, spokesman Nelson Chamisa says the workers in the country should be allowed free expression without interference from politicians. ‘The ZCTU represents workers and this is a workers action but certainly you know the majority of Zimbabweans are workers in their own right,’ Chamisa said.

The MDC have described the call by the ZCTU as ‘a very positive development,’ adding that the whole country should heed the call for protests. On Friday last week Tsvangirai led a march to parliament accompanied by over 40 members of his National Executive Council, to present a petition over the crisis in the country. Independent estimates say over 500 people joined the march and chanted slogans while singing revolutionary songs. The MDC have warned that the protest was just a warning shot and more are being planned as part of a sustained programme of resistance.

Political commentators say the opposition will no doubt be co-ordinating their actions with the labour movement and other civic groups. It’s thought the problem is that they have to play their cards close to their chest and not give away too much information to Mugabe’s regime who have the state machinery on their side. Momentum is building in the country following last week’s action by the opposition, which came in at a time when the economy is on its knees and people are facing unprecedented levels of poverty. Last month the International Crisis Group also made recommendations that mass action was needed to bring about change in the country.