Links ~ 11 June 2008
SA keeps Zimbabwe off the UN agenda (The Times – SA)
Again… South Africa has again blocked the UN Security Council from discussing the situation in Zimbabwe. South Africa’s foreign affairs chief director for UN issues Xolisa Mabhongo said that “it would have been difficult†for the council to discuss the situation. “It is our view that Zimbabwe at the moment does not pose a threat to international peace and security,†Mabhongo said. Thabo Mbeki president of South Africa is allegedly involved in an attempt to get Zanu-PF and the MDC to agree to a government of national unity. Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC said that despite speculation the fact remains if Mugabe called of the run-off, he would in effect concede his (Mugabe’s) defeat. . “It therefore means that a government of national unity negotiated before the run-off does not arise,†Tsvangirai said.
UN Security Council to be briefed on Zimbabwe Thursday (SW Radio)
South Africa’s blocking of a discussion on the politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe, means that the UN Security Council will only be briefed with regard to the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, on Thursday. It is the 2nd time in 3 months that South Africa has blocked discussion on Zimbabwe in the UN Security Council. South Africa has used its seat in the council o block resolutions on countries such as Burma, Sudan, Belarus and Iran.
US to spend several million dollars to monitor Zimbabwe election (AFP)
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that the US would be contributing several million dollars to the election observer effort. The money will ensure that there are proper and sufficient numbers of observers and that they have the resources to do their work in Zimbabwe. The US and EU are preparing a draft statement which will call on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to send a team of human rights monitors to Zimbabwe.
MDC calls for urgent deployment of SADC observers (SW Radio)
The MDC said that it was perplexed by the absence of SADC observers in Zimbabwe with a mere 17 days to go before the June 27 run-off for the presidential election. The SADC had promised to send up to 400 observers, but no more than 50 observers have arrived in Zimbabwe. Botswana had sent 25 observers who arrived in the country on Saturday. The SADC now blames financial constraints for the delay in sending observers. The US has however announced that they had availed US$7 million dollars to help ensure that observers could be deployed in Zimbabwe. Thabo Mbeki president of South Africa had said in a previous interview that observers “need to go as soon as possibleâ€. It seems that Mbeki’s “early†is not the same as that of victims of the violence in Zimbabwe.
MDC to ‘finish what they started’ (IOL)
Since the March 29 elections, 66 MDC supporters have been killed because of politically motivated violence. Morgan Tsvangirai said that despite conditions on the ground the MDC remains focused on the run-off presidential election. “I have been encouraged by people’s desire to finish what we have started,” said Tsvangirai.
He said that the illegitimacy of the regime would be exposed when Mugabe declares himself the winner of the June 27 run-off. Tsvangirai warned that Mugabe as commander in chief would ultimately bear responsibility for the state-sponsored violence unleashed upon Zimbabweans. Tsvangirai has dismissed rumours speculating that Mbeki is trying to get the MDC and Zanu-PF to agree to a government of national unity. “The question of a national unity government does not arise,” he said.
Zimbabwe opposition will refuse to accept Mugabe victory (Africasia)
Zimbabwe’s opposition will refuse to accept the legitimacy of Robert Mugabe’s regime if the president declares himself the winner of the June 27 election, his challenger Morgan Tsvangirai said Tuesday.
Mbeki finally admits there is a crisis in Zimbabwe (SWRadio)
President Thabo Mbeki finally acknowledged to the MPs of his government that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe. Mbeki said that the violence in Zimbabwe gave cause for “serious concernâ€. Elias Mudzuri organising secretary for the MDC and MP elect for Warren Park welcomed Mbeki’s statement but believes that Mbeki could have done more. ‘If he delays by another day to send observers, he’s doing more harm than good to all Zimbabweans because we cannot recover the lives of people dying, we cannot recover the limbs of those maimed.’ Glen Mpani regional coordinator of the ‘Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation’ in Cape Town said that Mbeki has protected Mugabe for years. ‘He cannot say violence in Zimbabwe is of serious concern when at the same time he’s playing a leading role in blocking the same issue from being discussed at the United Nations. When people say Mbeki is in bed with Mugabe this is what they mean,’ Mpani said.
Zimbabwe analysis: A warning to Morgan Tsvangirai (The Telegraph – UK)
David Blair reminds readers of lessons learned for Zimbabwean history and argues that Morgan Tsvangirai would be walking into political oblivion should he agree to join Mugabe in a government of national unity. Joshua Nkomo former leader of the Zapu political party had agreed to sign a “Unity Accordâ€, with Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party, to end the political violence and bloodshed unleashed on his followers. Nkomo became vice-president and were nothing more than a meek subordinate, left with nothing but ceremonial powers. The “Unity Accord†was a cruel sham and Nkomo had signed his own political death warrant. When Zanu-PF talks of coalition, no doubt they envisage the same inglorious role for Morgan Tsvangirai, as was assigned to Nkomo. Tsvangirai should also consider what South Africa’s idea of such a coalition might entail, or he (Tsvangirai) will share Nkomo’s fate.
Police confiscate ID’s (The Zimbabwean via zimsituation.com)
High-ranking sources said that police have allegedly been ordered to confiscate the identification cards of suspected MDC supporters. A police officer identified as Gonyora, together with some of his colleagues, have allegedly ransacked homes of MDC supporters in Bindura South. The purpose seemed to be the confiscation of any identity documents found. There are rumours that CIO members and Zanu-PF youth militia have infiltrated the police force to fish out officers who may be loyal to the MDC. Police commissioner Augustine Chihuri has threatened villagers at Musiwa Growth Point in Bindura South that he will have them shot if they voted for the MDC.
Abducted ZESA manager found dead as Chiredzi violence intensifies (SW Radio)
Dumihasani Hapazari manager of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority in Chiredzi has become one of the latest victims of alleged CIO agents. Hapazari was abducted on June 4 and now his body has been found near Chikombedzi. Sources say that Zanu-PF militia has established militia bases in the area and that militia youths went on a rampage through Chiredzi on Monday. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Jacob Zuma leader of the ANC said that he was alarmed and anxious about reports of the widespread violence and brutality in Zimbabwe. “We cannot rest until the situation is resolved, as it affects all of us. We want to see the return of peace and stability in Zimbabwe as speedily as possible,” Zuma said.
Mugabe deploys more veterans to boost campaign (Reuters)
Zanu-PF said that they would deploy more war veterans to campaign in MDC areas ahead of the run-off for the presidential election. Retired Major Alex Mudavanhu chairman for Masvingo said “We are setting up units of war veterans to go to those areas to fan out the MDC, to campaign for President Mugabe, to confront and talk to some company managers who are openly supporting these MDC structures”. Mudavanhu said that they are going to inform people that Zanu-PF will not lose the election.
Zimbabwe NGOs Say They’ll Ignore Harare Ban On Humanitarian Aid (VOA)
65 Zimbabwean non-governmental organisations said that they would ignore the government’s directive, which bans them from giving humanitarian assistance to Zimbabweans. Fambia Ngirande spokesman of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations said that the NGOs cannot desist from providing aid to the hungry, the homeless and the sick. The NGOs have resolved to call on the UN, the AU and the SADC to pressure the Zimbabwean government to reverse its ban on humanitarian assistance.
Zimbabwe’s Tsvangirai hits the road in new election campaign bus (AFP)
Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC unveiled an American-style tour bus that will be used to take the MDC campaign to the people throughout the country. “We are going to be in every town, village, to meet the people of Zimbabwe,” said Tsvangirai. The bus is painted in the party’s colours of red and black and has pictures of Tsvangirai on the bodywork. A second bus converted as a mobile office, will accompany the campaign bus. Nelson Chamisa spokesman for the MDC said that it is a new concept to ensure visibility under circumstances of violence.
Operation ‘Where Did You Vote?’ Comes to Harare (ZG)
Zanu-PF has intensified its violent campaign of intimidation against MDC officials and supporters. Zanu-PF militia in Harare now verbally and physically assaults people and it is suspected that this is part of a Zanu-PF operation code-named ‘Where did you vote’. Eyewitnesses say that the youth militia are dressed in new completely blue police uniforms. A resident of the suburb Chisipite was stopped and said that one of the militia threatened him that they had all his details and will track him down if he did not vote correctly in the run-off presidential election. Zanu-PF militia invaded and interrupted a church service in the suburb of Kuwadzana over the weekend. The militia stuck posters on the brickwork, doors and windows of the church. The congregation was threatened that their fingers will be cut off so that they would not be able to vote.
