New Charges of Labor Harassment

UNCLAS HARARE 000578 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/S NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JFRAZER USDOC FOR AMANDA HILLIGAS PASS USTR FLORIZELLE LISER STATE PASS USAID FOR MARJORIE COPSON ¶E. O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PHUM ETRD ECON EINV PGOV ZI ZCTU SUBJECT: New Charges of Labor Harassment ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) alleges pro-Government groups are stepping up repression of labor leaders. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) ZCTU cited two recent cases in press statements: - On March 25, an unnamed caller invited Progressive Teachers Union Secretary General Raymond Majongwe to pick up documents in a Harare suburb. Fearing a set-up, Majongwe sent his driver instead. A second car trailed Majongwe's for some time and finally tried to ram the vehicle on the driver's side. The ZCTU alleges the second car's occupants later observed Majongwe was not the driver and sped away. - On March 27, fifty youths invaded the residence of Zimbabwe Construction and Allied Workers Union Secretary General Charles Gumbo. After learning that Gumbo was not home, they ransacked the residence. The gang held Gumbo's wife and three children hostage for a time. Although the gang stole several belongings - cell phone, car radio, etc - and did not raise Gumbo's union affiliation, ZCTU officials believe it was not a burglary. In any event, the large number of invaders is unusual for a routine break-in. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Evidence linking authorities to the attacks is sketchy and inconclusive. Since both involved secretaries general and happened within a two-day span, SIPDIS however, Zimbabwean labor leaders are now observing more precautions than usual. We will follow and report on subsequent developments. Sullivan