HARARE LABOR LEADERS RELEASED, MOST WITHOUT CHARGES

UNCLAS HARARE 002279 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR J. FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ELAB PGOV PHUM ZI SUBJECT: HARARE LABOR LEADERS RELEASED, MOST WITHOUT CHARGES REF: A. HARARE 2259 ¶B. HARARE 2257 ¶1. (SBU) All of the Harare-area labor detainees have now appeared before the court, with only four being charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA),and the rest released without charges. Those leaders answering charges are: Lovemore Matombo, President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and President of the Communication Workers; Wellington Chibebe, Secretary-General of the ZCTU; Lucia Matibenga, Vice President of the ZCTU and President of the Commercial Workers; and Elisa Mlotshwa, Vice President of the ZCTU and President of the Clothing Workers union. ¶2. (SBU) Some labor sources speculate that the GOZ's failure to bring charges against most detainees may be a political as much as a legal decision. Although the prosecutors reportedly conceded to the detainees that there was little chance of successful prosecution even under the POSA, one labor observer believes that the GOZ is trying to avoid as much controversy as possible in advance of a hoped-for, last-minute invitation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Regardless of the reason, the majority of the detainees have now been spared a long-running and expensive defense against the GOZ's widely-criticized security laws. Comment -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The hastily called two day stayaway, which garnered very little support, was cancelled upon the release of the labor leaders. The consensus among observers seems to be that this was an ill-advised move, called by the second string leadership, that had little hope of success from the start. Communication (in the absence of independent new sources, reftels) remains a key problem, and it is increasingly difficult to get the entire picture. Labor sources are likewise constrained, both in disseminating and gathering information as indicated by their lack of information on some detainees in the outlying areas. Further similar protests are likely, since many labor leaders doubt that any change will come without increased confrontation. As the stakes increase, many of the labor activists are taking courage from the fact that the eyes of the world are watching. End comment. SULLIVAN