President Kgalema Motlanthe is no different from former president Thabo Mbeki in his position on Zimbabwe, Cosatu said.

President Kgalema Motlanthe is no different from former president Thabo Mbeki in his position on Zimbabwe, Cosatu said.

"We were slightly encouraged by ANC president Jacob Zuma's position on the issue - he spoke publicly against Robert Mugabe.

"We are not quite excited by our government led by comrade Motlanthe on the issue," Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, pictured, told a media briefing in Johannesburg yesterday.

"It is disappointing to say the least"

The trade union federation, however, said it was "slightly encouraged" by Zuma's attitude as he had spoken publicly against Mugabe.

Vavi said Motlanthe could take decisive action by publicly saying that he was withdrawing South Africa's acceptance of Mugabe as the legitimate president of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Wellington Chibebe said the path taken by Southern African Development Community leaders for an inclusive government in Zimbabwe was not going to improve the country's economy.

"No international investor will pour any money into a government led by Mugabe," he said.

ZCTU called for a neutral authority to oversee a new round of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. - Sapa