Meltdown
I tried once again today to licence my vehicle for the year Sept 08 – 09. Last week I could have paid with a company cheque if I produced a utility bill to prove residence – the cost $1,5 million. This week no cheques are accepted unless it is a Bank-certified cheque. For cash payment it is now $6,5 million and if a bank cheque it is $6 billion !
Chaos surrounds the Econet outlets as angry people rant and rave about having their contract lines changed to Pay as You Go. Nobody can access money, so one can purchase air time (I know people who are trying to get some air time by bartering packets of sugar!).
In Harare city center (First Street) fights broke out yesterday in bank queues – not before time? Most of these people have been sleeping on the pavement at night in order to get some of THEIR money from the state-sanctioned Bank Robbers. The anger is now tangible.
A policeman sent me an SMS to say that cholera has broken out in the Nyamapanda area with 300 reported cases of the disease and 20 deaths. Once the rains start in earnest, cholera will become a national emergency (if there is such a thing in this rogue regime). So many people in the high density suburbs have dug wells to try and access some water, while raw sewage is running down the streets. A recipe for disaster.
Both Harare and Parirenyatwa hospitals are virtually shut down. Chivu hospital outpatients is closed and they are unable to take in patients.
Many people who are fortunate enough to be on ARVs (anti retrovirals) are unable to take their life-saving medication because they have no food to eat. This will lead to an increase in their viral load and go a long way to creating drug resistance.
A Mazoe MDC MP has 16 schools in his area with approximately 150 children in each school requiring nutritional aid. He approached UNICEF who said they couldn’t help and sent him to WFP, who also said they were unable to help. All I can say is God Help those children. Who does one go to if those two organisations won’t help?
It feels like we’re in complete meltdown.
November 12th, 2008 18:32
The more reason why Morgan should step up and lead the people. We have never needed him more than now. He must get up there and inspire us to fight evil. He cannot get respect but earn it truly. The time is now Morgan, Your people are waiting for you. What ever your advisors are telling you we do not know, but they have let you down more often than not. Follow your gut and stop fighting the agendas for a chosen few in your think tank. History will surely judge you harshly if you miss this opportunity. The Ball is surely and squarely in your court Mr. PM. I implore you to do the right thing.
November 12th, 2008 19:55
A sad and sobering story.
Do you notice a change in mood amongst Zimbabweans since the failure of the SADC meeting on Sunday? The news of aid agencies running out of food and money is very worrying and I can’t image what the next option is for the people on the ground.
November 12th, 2008 21:59
I would not presume to advise the MDC as to how they should respond to the appalling situation in which they have been forced. It seems they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t, but either way right is on their side.
However, it is clearly time for people in Zimbabwe, whoever is able, to move past the passive waiting for someone ELSE to do something, be that Tsvangirai, Motlanthe or any other figure.
There does indeed seem to be a change in mood and I hope and pray that the MDC leadership and activist network, and civic society, are sufficiently alert and skilled to provide the leadership required. I believe they are….
For without mass action that makes everyone in ZANU-PF aware of the outrage of the majority, their abuses will continue. They will continue to dominate and to abuse, whether or not MDC agree to swallow from the poisoned chalice of the power sharing agreement. Yet conversely, junior and middle ranks of army and police can switch loyalties in an eyeblink if they see the writing on the wall – it’s been shown over and over in world history.
Miscreants must be confronted with truth and their lies exposed – primarily, their lie that the democracy movement is a foreign plant and that “sanctions” are the cause of economic implosion. If mass action grows, the South African Government will discover a scorching fire underneath its too-comfortable backside, of that we can be sure! South Africans and diaspora Zimbabweans will mount huge protests here as well. But right now, we are like a concerned neighbour who hears the screaming and calls the police, but when they arrive, the battered partner swears nothing is wrong, which is exactly what the police wanted to hear.
November 13th, 2008 13:08
Do whatever !!!! That will show the people have had enough and that this is crazy, talks that linger on with no results and going nowhere slowly,and Mugabe staying in his seat with no solution to the problem he caused. But please let there be no blood spilt.
November 13th, 2008 16:53
Regretably, exbulawayo, the plea for no blood to be spilt has not and will not be heeded by mugabe and zanu-pf.
It is increasingly certain that because of the pathetic behaviour of SADC members, except Iain Khama, blood will indeed be shed before mugabe and his revolting henchmen are cleared from the corridors of power in Harare.
We are all now bystanders in an unfolding horror movie.
1. Mugabe announces another government, with him controlling all the ministries of state control.
2. The economy deteriorates even further (again)
3. Western governments are made scapegoats in the state media (again!)
4. Rape and pillage accelerates as the zanu-pf thugs realise that the end is not far away, and they must steal as much as possible (again!)
5. Police and army footsoldiers become as badly off as the general population; worthless pay and no food.
6. Increasing civil unrest
7. Terror tactics unleashed by mugabe and zanu-pf (again!!!)
8. Civil war with thousands killed and starved to death.
9. Much hand wringing by SADC ” how could we have let this happen” etc.
10. The end.
Can’t get much more sad and horrific than that, can it?
November 13th, 2008 17:11
President Tsvangirai will be remembered as a liberation hero .In this instance and going forward, the decision of the Mdc will be respected . On the grounds that in the history of Zanu Pf since independence , no opposition party has ever materialised to rise and suppress the ruling party’s deoxygenating octogerian vasco dialation . Hitherto , the imprudent iron hand of this regime has catalysed the oppositon into maximum mass recognition and respect not only by the Zimbabwean masses but the whole world compirising of democratic nations .Effusively, Zanu pf have dented a former beautiful terraine . Libidonously , MY ZIMBABWE , A FORMER LAND OF PLENTY IS NOW AS HEART BLEEDENING AS THE OCHESTRA PLAYED ON A SINKING TITANIC .
November 13th, 2008 18:40
It is sad that such horrific stuff cannot be stopped.This situation is really totally out of control and why is the world just letting this wonderful country and people go down.Can’t they do something now ? Let us continue to pray for this to come to an end. My heart cannot take this anymore.
November 13th, 2008 22:37
“Can’t they do something now ?”
Remember that when a coalition of countries led by the USA removed Saddam Hussein from power, there was a big outcry from all over, accusations of lying, illegal invasion, etc. It will be a while before anyone steps up again to help the victims of a brutal dictator.
And Saddam was much worse than Mugabe.
I am afraid the Zimbabweans are on their own. There will be little or no help of any kind. Maybe the Chinese will send a “peace-keeping” force to take over the country.
November 14th, 2008 13:46
@Don Cox – Eventually the realisation will seep in. there is NO “they”.
It is just “you” – Zimbabweans.
Not a day to look forward to, but definitely the first day of the rest of your lives!
You now have to decide on a date.
November 14th, 2008 14:22
SADC said the parties must form a government.
The word ‘must’ could be taken to mean it’s ‘highly recommended’ or, as an auxilliary verb, to denote something compulsory or obligatory. If the first meaning is considered then it makes the so-called resolution is consistent with the non-commital, diplomatic language favoured by political blocs.
If ‘must’ is taken to mean that it is ordered and binding to do so then there is something missing, because usually there is an accompanying ‘or else…’ condition.
‘Or else…’, what? SADC withdraws support for Tsvangirai. They plainly have not supported him anyway, so MDC have very little to lose. And I would like to bet that they will rally round to his side once MDC become a government in its own right in the future – such is the nature of foes today, friends tomorrow politics.
If MDC joins ZANU in the present circumstances it risks becoming a watered down version. It’s inclusion in a government that Mugabe retains the greater control of force will not change Mugabe’s power base, and therefore not change ZANU’s influence in the country’s decline. There are some who have said that MDC, by joining with ZANU-PF will have the means to ellict change from within. However this suggestion is faulted because it ignores the fact that Mugabe’s greater weild of real power comes not from within the chambers of parliament. He has a huge patronage system that extends from security chiefs, businessmen, judiciary personel, local chiefs, war vets – just to give a few examples – ie non-politicians.
MDC becoming close to ZANU-PF in a government gives Mugabe the strategic advantage of having ones enemies closer. Don’t believe that the ZANU/ZAPU unity pact was to unify the nation. It was engineered and forced by Mugabe to remove his opposition and secure his power. Mugabe needs MDC in for this very purpose, otherwise MDC is uncontrollable and a very lose cannon.
I don’t believe that throwing good apples into a barrel of mouldy ones can possibly reverse the rot.
The argument that MDC refraining from coming on-side with Mugabe will harm the population is short sighted. An arrangment in which ZANU maintains real control will perpetuate the misery of Zimbabweans. Sight will be lost, the fizz taken out and replaced with mediocrity. The combined ZANU PF failings and MDC successes will become blurred. Given that ZANU’s continued misconduct will be masked, the MDC element will be seen by present supporters to have been a proven ineffectual party. MDC will die out.
MDC would do well to remain aloof and resolute. There are currently reports (maybe true) that ZAPU are breaking away. If so, then Mugabe realy would need MDC to shore up his strengths. Best that MDC stay away and watch ZANU get whittled down than to rush in and throw Mugabe a life-line.
Yes, the people will suffer – there’s nothing new in that, and who said freedom comes free. Zimbabweans must continue, for now, to pay dividends for a better future instead of accepting immediate short term, low pay-out insurance from a dodgy policy.
November 14th, 2008 15:29
Yes, freedom will come at a price it seems. Zimbabweans will have to decide themselves how to solve this sad story.The SADC no doubt cannot or will not sort this out. Morgan should stay aloof at all times now, that is for sure.
November 14th, 2008 19:09
I’d like to say, “there’s just US”.
Zimbabweans at home, diaspora Zimbabweans, “old” Zimbabweans, and friends of Zimbabwe – many, many friends the world over.
For example: the young British man in Salisbury, UK, who has been organising prayer meetings and raising consciousness on behalf of Zimbabwe. Why? God knows. He was just touched by Love, that’s all.
Only Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe can take part in mass action, but thoseof us outside can also do much: raise funds, campaign in the press, lobby, make sure Zimbabwe is not forgotten for a single day. And we can pray. “God bless Zimbabwe, guard her children, transform her leaders, heal her communities and give her peace”. That is said every Sunday in our diocese (False Bay, Western Cape). I never say it without a lump in my throat and a fire in my heart.
This rising energy will swallow even the memory of ZPF completely, as if the earth had opened beneath them. Who can be found in SA today who’ll admit to supporting apartheid? Who is left of those steely-eyed fat cats? Not many!! They are a bad dream and that is what Mugabe will become as he rots in whatever hell he has prepared for himself.
November 14th, 2008 19:59
Morgen has to go in and solve this issue. You do not have to like the other party but at least try to work out your differences in an environment that is characterised by all or nothing. the losers in the Politburo and Reserve Bank are fuellling the intrasigent behaviour and i AM SORRY TO SAY THEY HAVE WON this round yet again. Lets be pragmatic, Morgen is cryin over spilt milk and he is sore. But that does not change the fact that he has been extremely sloppy so far. He should have fought Mugabe in two elections only for him to withdraw at the last minute.This time around he cannot finish the round and has decided to withdraw whilst the country burns. Maybe we need a new leader that can take on Robert. If the agreement fails then we might have tpo look at Simba seriously.
November 15th, 2008 04:42
It’s called ‘brinkmanship’. It’s the game Mugabe has been perfecting for the past 33 years – that is to say pre-independance when he was but a minion in Sithole’s ZANU formation. Robert Mugabe unilaterally assumed control of ZANU after the assassination of Herbert Chitepo on March 18, 1975. He is still running true to form. That is given, accepted, and a piece of history. Nobody at that time predicted exactly what it meant further down the line. Now we’re so wise in hindsight. Armed with such ‘wisdom’ we are suddenly all masters at being in someones shoes and dismissable of the MDC principle for democratic and meaningfull change. It is an inherently desperate move to run off seeking solace in the scratched runner Simba.
For the moment it appears that Tsvangirai has either developed or always had a political maturity or accumen that can be pitted against the aging tyrant Muagbe and his equally staid cabal. MDC are playing ZANU at their own game of brinkmanship. I note that either due to the astuteness of Tsvangirai or his adivsors that the subtle but very relevant legal point was made about Mugabe being ‘unprocedurally’ and unilaterally present during the recent SADC consultative session. The impartiallity of SADC is ths resolutely questionable – MDC have gained the upper hand in this one simple act of ethical impropriety, that even the least gifted armchair politician and strategist can understand. The SADC resolution is quite simply trashed and worthless thanks to Mugabe and the SADC chairman. Combined, they have most likely scuttled their own ships.
MDC is on the right track. If Morgan leaps under the blanket with Mugabe now who knows what’s going to be pulled by whom, so to speak.
Futhermore, why is it that the country burning or declining suddenly becomes the fault of MDC for refusing to particpate in the government that set the ball rolling downhill in the first place? Mugabe must realy feel exhonorated when the blame that is rightfully at his doorstep gets shifted onto his enemy. Mugabes’ culpability is getting side-lined.
November 15th, 2008 09:47
@Nationalist Nkalanga – The trouble, NN, with your advice to Morgan to “go in and work out differences”, is that Morgan would have to lower his standards.
And we all know Mugabe cannot raise his. This sounds like lose-lose to me.
No – Morgan – stick to you righteous guns, and do not sup with the devil that is Mugabe.