Force Release of Saawu Leaders

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FUND The monthly fund still looks dismal, depleted by the special fund.

With £5.70 from South East London, £49 from Coventry, £4 from Hull, and £3.70 from a new group in York, we have £62.40 in the post so far this month.

Send contributions to Socialist Organiser, 28 Middle Lane, London N8 8PL. Cheques payable to Socialist Organiser. THREE black leaders of the workers movement in South Africa have been charged under the Terrorism Act.

The three - Thozamile Gqweta, Sisa Njikelana, and Sam Kikine - are leaders of SAAWU, one of the main trade unions which organise black workers, and which has been repeatedly involved in militant struggles.

They will be tried together with three white militants who have been active in the non-racial workers movement - Cedric Mayson, Alan Fine, and Barbara Hogan. If convicted they face massive jail sentences, and can even be sentenced to death.

The decision to proceed with these charges represents a significant development in the on going attempts by the South African state to control the workers' movement.

The last few months have seen the death of one unionist in detention, the repeated detention of many unionists. the banning of some union leaders, and repeated arrests and convictions of strikers.

6 ANC guerrillas are in South African jails, facing execution. The six just charged under the Terrorism Act have all been in detention for long periods and there can be no doubt that they have all faced torture.

Over the last period, several detainees have had to be hospitalised.

Death The death in detention of one trade unionist, Neil Aggett, in l'ebruary sparked off a mass strike inside South Africa with thousands of workers .. taking protest strike action.

Repeated strikes show that the workers' movement is not bowing down before the attacks which the state constantly launches against it.

• 11 is the task of the British labour movement and the labour movement interWe the SC po La nationally to see that the black workers of South Africa are not left isolated in the struggle to defend their organisations and fight for their demands.

When more than 200 SAAWU strikers were arrested last year, the Australian TUC backed a week's protest blacking action. This was repeated to protest against the death of Neil Aggett.

The fight must be taken up to make sure the British labour movement follows this example.

Already, a week of action and national protest demonstration have been called for to build solidarity with the SAAWU members who are on strike at Wilson Rowntree in South Africa.

Support

must make sure that receive nati ›nal sup(TOM the UC r Party. Ins de very union branch and Labour Party ward, we must fight to ensure the maximum possible mobilisation for these demonstrations.

*For a TUC/Labour Party national demonstration in solidarity with the workers' organisations under attack in South Africa!

*For a week of protest blacking action of all goods to and from South Africa!

*Solidarity with black workers in struggle!

*Release all the victims of the Terrorism Act. Release all political prisoners. Defend SAAWU and all workers' organ isations against state attacks! addressed by SAAWU.

The TUC International Committee is considering the resolution, and it is vital that similar resolutions are processed through the other unions - TGWU, USDAW and GMWU.

Also, the Anti-Apartheid Movement has set a Rowntree 'week of action' from June 16 to June 26, culminating in a national demonstration in York and a rally outside Rowntree Mackintosh headquarters.

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Socialist Organiser no.84 May 13, 1982 Page 15 rebbil leaders BREAK must