By Own Correspondent| The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has expressed concern over the abduction of the leader of its sister federation, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Peter Gift Mutasa and others.

COSATU said Mutasa was either taken by the police or the military since his whereabouts are unknown.

The organisation condemned the excessive and unnecessary force used against labour body leaders and civilians by the military and the police in Zimbabwe on Wednesday which compelled many activists to go into hiding, fearing for their lives.

Contrary to State media reports which attribute the stayaway to opposition MDC Alliance, COSATU said the protests had nothing to do with party politics but everything to do with the country’s economic woes.

The labour union said the state is provoking violence out of peaceful protesters.

Part of COSATU’s statement reads:

COSATU is calling on the global labour movement to join us in the demand for the security forces to bring back ZCTU President Peter Mutasa and all abducted activists.

We need to support the people of Zimbabwe and force the Mnangagwa regime to properly respond to the people’s demands. We demand they too respect international laws as well as the laws and the constitution of Zimbabwe.”