Power-sharing Government
ZIG Watch : Issue 11
Sokwanele Article: December 8th, 2009
November saw news on Zimbabwe dominated by the on-going political differences between the Zimbabwe's three main parties. More than a year after it was signed, the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which was meant to address the many crises facing Zimbabwe, has yet to be fully implemented. In amongst the many media reports discussing the persistent tensions and debates between the parties, there were other reports reflecting the unavoidable reality that Zimbabwe is still a nation in turmoil. These news reports do not speak of failures to implement the process, but point instead to brazen breaches of sections in the agreement.
An overview of the November news items highlighting breaches of the GPA throws up repeated mentions of wide-ranging human rights abuses involving Zimbabwe's soldiers.
At the start of the month, The Zimbabwean newspaper described a horrific incident at the Chiadzwa Diamond Fields, where army personnel took it upon themselves to 'punish' three men who had entered a secure area. The men were taken to the army base where they were severely beaten. The next day they were taken back to the mines where they were reported to have been forced to carry four corpses (the bodies of civilians allegedly killed by the army) from the mines and back to the bases.
ZIG Watch : Issue 10
Sokwanele Article: November 6th, 2009
"There is nothing in the GPA that has not been done by ZANU PF, nothing at all. We have fulfilled everything that the GPA wanted us to fulfill": Robert Mugabe, 24 October 2009
October has been a month characterised by violence, lawlessness, corruption and the complete abuse of power for partisan and personal objectives. Despite Robert Mugabe’s outrageous claim to the contrary, Sokwanele has logged an incredible 3850 breaches of the GPA by Zanu PF since the start of the ZIG Watch project, making this party responsible for 88.8% of all breaches logged up until the end of October.
October began in the wake of a international public campaign demanding that Nestle stop buying milk from Gushungo Dairy Estate which is owned by Grace Mugabe. Recognising the public’s disgust, Nestle quickly capitulated and in so doing exposed itself to ruthless elements that serve to protect and defend the Zanu PF elite business interests. Nestle bank accounts were frozen by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe who also ordered a forensic audit into its dealings. (The Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono, is staunchly loyal to the Mugabe’s and Zanu PF.) Zanu PF Youths cryptically threatened to “lose it” if the company did not resume buying milk from Gushengo, and the so-called Affirmative Action Group – loyal to the Zanu PF party – threatened to take over Nestle Zimbabwe if the company did not resume its purchases. Actions like these arguably have a far more damaging impact on any prospects for investment in the country than the targeted sanctions Zanu PF is so anxious to have removed.
Zanu PF might need Jonathan Moyo, but do you?
Sokwanele Article: October 20th, 2009
While Jonathan Moyo believes his vitriolic attacks on each and every person who ever found fault with Zanu PF policies have at last demolished all opposition, his actual achievement has been to demonstrate his and his party's complete contempt for the citizens of Zimbabwe.
Almost every line of his Sunday Mail piece on October 4 displays his belief that each and every reader is far too thick to see through his lies and deceit. The facts that the people do know and understand are that it is Jonathan Moyo who is guilty of treachery and it is Jonathan Moyo who is employing every means possible to ensure that the MDC's best efforts to help restore economic growth will be brought to nothing.
We are all perfectly aware that only the Zanu PF chefs feel threatened by the possibility of economic recovery. Jonathan Moyo has been drawn back into the Zanu PF ranks to make sure that the recovery does not happen. Why? Mainly to prevent the possibility that MDC will be credited for any such success, but also because the increasing prosperity of the Zimbabwean population would make it harder for Zanu PF to continue suppressing us.
Jonathan Moyo treachery has now been made manifest at many different levels. He persuaded the voters in Tsholotsho to elect him as their representative on the basis of his having completely rejected the Zanu PF's "unprincipled" policies. Now he insults them by claiming that, having rejoined Zanu PF, he still represents them. He does not, any more than he represents the casualties of Gukurahundi whose unmarked graves are still scattered throughout the constituency.
