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.