South African dockworkers block Chinese arms to Zimbabwe
by Jura Watchmaker, 18 April 2008
Dockworkers in Durban have cocked a snook at president Thabo Mbeki and his quiet diplomacy by refusing to unload a shipment of Chinese-supplied ammunition, grenades and mortar rounds bound for Zimbabwe.
According to the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union:
“Satawu does not agree with the position of the South African government not to intervene with this shipment of weapons. Our members employed at Durban Container Terminal will not unload this cargo neither will any of our members in the truck driving sector move this cargo by road.”
This is a most welcome development. Let’s hope we see more of this internationalist initiative-taking by workers supporting their brothers and sisters across the world.
Latest: Southern African anarchists quoting SAfm say that another ship carrying arms is heading for the Mozambican port of Beira, with the aim of gaining easier access to Zimbabwe. Efforts are currently being made to link up with Mozambican workers and have Beira shut down.
Friday 18 April 2008 at 23:50
I saw this. Great news.
Need more of this.
t
Saturday 19 April 2008 at 0:22
The An Yue Jiang reportedly left Durban on Friday evening after a court granted an order preventing the cargo from being transported across South African territory. Where the ship has gone is not known for certain. But given that Zimbabwe has traditionally used Beira for arms imports one can only assume that this port is where the cargo is now headed.
The dockers’ action was indeed positive, but there are other developments that are now coming to light. And they do no bode well for the immediate future of Zimbabwe.
Saturday 19 April 2008 at 0:33
Are you referring to reports of paramilitary forces being deployed ahead of ‘runoffs’?
Saturday 19 April 2008 at 0:36
‘Runoffs’ are looking increasingly unlikely. And I don’t mean because the government will concede to the MDC.
Saturday 19 April 2008 at 0:45
Well aye.
Dave Osler and I have our differences — nothing we’d shout at each other about mind — but he nailed it the other day, echoing something I’d just said in conversation, in this instance referring to the ’situation’ in Tibet:
Let’s face it, the overwhelming majority of the British left has lost the fucking plot completely. How can anybody with an expensive education and a Trot political training come up with ‘Marxist’ justification for repression is utterly beyond me.
Tuesday 22 April 2008 at 14:10
Despite Angolan denials, I think this ship may well land in Luanda. No pesky unions there to stop the arms from coming in.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7360438.stm
Tuesday 22 April 2008 at 17:55
Each of the bullets in that cargo has the name of an MDC supporter on it. I don’t know why this message isn’t being broadcast over the world.
Tuesday 22 April 2008 at 18:24
Because no one can blame the following:
(1) The USA.
(2) The UK (except in the most tangential fashion).
(3) Israel/the Jews.
(4) Neocons.