Zimbabwe

A group of socialists, trade unionists, student activists and human rights activists are on trial in Zimbabwe for treason. Many of them are members of the International Socialist Organisation of Zimbabwe. If convicted they face years in prison. At one point the government was prosecuting 39 individuals, but this has now been reduced to seven (though the charges against the others have not actually been dropped). The comrades will fin out on 15 February whether the government will proceed with the trial. They need solidarity! Please send messages to iso.zim@gmail.com

(For more information, see here .) We the undersigned send our solidarity to the comrades of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and other Zimbabwean trade unionists, student activists and human rights activists who face trial for treason on 18 July. Drop all charges and free them now! There is not much time left. Please add your name to this statement by emailing zimsolidarity2011@gmail.com . Please include your organisation/position if applicable. Janine Booth, Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) national executive Gary Lazell, London Underground worker, RMT Adrian Finney...

From the ISO Zimbabwe : The International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe wishes to update all progressive cadres, socialists, revolutionaries and democrats who have been in solidarity with us since the unjust February 19th 2011 arrest, detention and torture of ISO comrades, student leaders and human rights activists that the case of State v Munyaradzi Gwisai and 6 Others goes to court on the 18 July 2011. The trial will take place at the Rotten Row magistrates Court Regional Court 18 in Harare, Zimbabwe at 8.30am. Our National Coordinating Committee comrades Munyaradzi Gwisai, Tafadzwa...

Mike Sambo of Zimbabwe’s International Socialist Organisation spoke to Solidarity . Tell us about the recent repression in Zimbabwe. Recent arrests of ISO comrades as well as officials from different trade unions, show [ruling party] ZANU PF’s desire to send a clear message to the Zimbabwean working class and opposition — do not attempt to emulate North Africa! Mugabe shares power with two MDC [Movement for Democratic Change, previously the main opposition party] factions in a Government of National Unity after a deal brokered by the South African Development Community in September 2008...

Forty-five socialists, trade unionists and students in Zimbabwe were arrested on 19 February and charged with treason for attending a meeting about the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. They were accused of plotting to overthrow the government in the manner of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions. Treason carries a death sentence in Zimbabwe. Charges were dropped against most of those detained. However, six people, including the general coordinator of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Munyaradzi Gwisai and five other ISO members, still await trial. They have posted bail, must stay...

52 Zimbabwean socialists have been tried with treason and “subverting a constitutionally elected government”, and could now face the death penalty, following arrests after a meeting organised in solidarity with the Egyptian revolution. The activists are members of the International Socialist Organisation, a group linked to the British SWP but which cooperates with other tendencies. Mike Sambo, a leading ISO member, spoke at Workers’ Liberty’s Ideas for Freedom event in 2008. The despotic regime of Robert Mugabe is undertaking a general clampdown on dissent in advance of possible elections...

The following assessment of the recent power-sharing deal between Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF and Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change is from the International Socialist Organisation of Zimbabwe MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has become the new prime minister and shares executive authority with the president and cabinet. In addition he will chair a Council of Ministers that will oversee the implementation of government policies, although Mugabe will remain chairing cabinet. The opposition has a majority of 16 to 15 in cabinet. The two Zanu PF deputy presidents remain with two deputy...

Latest news - trial postponed again Lovemore and Wellington attended court on 30 July, only to be told that their trial would be postponed again, until 27 August 2008. Unsurprisingly, the unfair bail conditions that keep them silent at this critical time for Zimbabwe will now be in force for another month. Robert Mugabe may be hoping that the world forgets this case if it is kept quiet, so please help us keep this in the public eye by adding your support via this site, linking to it, and lobbying for the case to be dropped. Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibebe are the President and General...

Tom Unterrainer spoke with Mike Sambo from the International Socialist Organisation Zimbabwe How was the ISO formed? The International Socialist Organisation was founded in the early 1990s and at that time was mainly composed of student activists. This is no longer the case. The ISO has people from different social movements and a large number of workers. There was a problem with our student members - we had a high turnover. Lots of people would join and leave after a short time. In all we now have about 300 members. Many of them are 'working people' - not workers per se. Very few of our...