OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Representatives from the Council of Canadians, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Polaris Institute met with the South African Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Wendy Mayimele, to discuss the fate of Trevor Ngwane, the Chairperson of the Soweto Electricity Crisis Commission and the threatening aspects of privatisations for the South African people.

Ngwane was arrested along with 87 other people while protesting the rampant privatisation of water and electricity services that are leaving more Black South Africans deprived of these necessities of life than during the apartheid.

His trial, slated to start today, has been postponed to October 23.

"The push for privatisation and market pricing of public services at all costs is creating another type of apartheid, this time excluding the have-not," says Maude Barlow, Voluntary Chairperson of the 100,000-member Council of Canadians. "The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) will be worsening matters as its agenda is being hijacked by large corporate interests who are looking at further privatisations under the guise of sustainable development."

According to Morna Ballantyne, Managing Director of National Services for CUPE, "The privatisation of water has serious consequences for individuals and our communities: no matter where we live. We know that in Canada...and we see the effects in South Africa and other parts of the world. CUPE is fighting to keep quality public services that are accessible and accountable to all people. We stand in solidarity with the courageous people in Soweto who are committed to making the politicians keep their political promises."

Tony Clarke, director of the Polaris Institute, is deeply concerned by the corporatisation of South Africa. "What we're seeing is a group of people shot upon, jailed and prosecuted who are simply demanding that politicians respect vital promises they've made and who are fighting for access to one of the most basic rights of all: access to water. The source of life."

Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke will be present in Johannesburg for the duration of the Johannesburg Summit, which will be the topic of another meeting with the South Africa High Commission that has been scheduled for Monday, August 19.