Initially my sentiments were entirely for Tsvangirai, as it is patently obvious that there is no good reason for a senate and participation in the elections is a stupid and immoral waste of resources. The arguments put forward by the pro-election camp are absurd.

Mugabe has, however, done the Opposition a huge favour in showing up our MDC leaders for what they are. Tsvangirai evidently has uncouth dictatorial inclinations, utilising violence despite all the anti-violence rhetoric over the years, and trampling on the MDC constitution. The pro-senate lot are aven worse: not only are they misguided, but also very sinister – in the same intellectual way that Professor Moyo was so evil.

As a passionately interested observer, this whole problem (which now manifests itself as multiple splits along ethnic/regional/etc lines) stems from the so-called council vote. Even from this distance (“Harare North”) it stinks. Whilst the vote may have been a close win for the pro-senate gang, were their votes really representative of their constituents? I don’t think so! The overwhelming impression is that pro-participation votes were cast primarily in greed for a chance to get snouts into the senate trough, irrespective of majority sentiments.

So there we have it. The MDC no longer has our respect or can carry our hopes for a better future. In my opinion, a much better prospect would be a new political party created by those who have done excellent work for Zimbabwe’s democracy – particularly the NCA and WOZA. These are the brave and principled ‘doers’ who have the best interests of the majority at heart. There are also still plenty of wonderful MDC party members, with huge courage, ability, expertise and commitment, whom I’d like to see support the new party as well: all those who are embarrassed by recent events and who haven’t discredited themselves by aligning themselves to either faction. They could be assisted by the brains behind Zvakwana and other able activists who have all the right ideas but keep a low profile politically.

Come on Zim! It was great to have hope while it lasted, but now it’s time to try another route. Thankfully we’ve been saved a ‘repeat of history’, with one tyrant (supported by evil, smooth-talking intellectuals) being replaced by another, so we still have a chance. I know it’s easy for me to say, from the safety of the diaspora, but concerted civil disobedience under a new banner is actually the only way. As taking to the streets is so dangerous, stopping tax and rate payments would soon bring the ZANU (PF) gravy train to a halt. Difficult to coordinate, but it could be done with a well-publicised list of demands (all the usual: new constitution, fresh above-board elections, repealed restrictive legislation, etc) and a clear – and sufficiently distant – deadline for there to be a real build-up and national awareness. If the deadline is not met, then WHAM! All tax payments stop. PAYE, corporate, NSSA, everything.

At one stage I thought Morgan’s ‘walk to work’ might escalate into something great, but it just fizzled out . . . it would be wonderful if something would work. There are lots of us who want to come home!

Zimbabweans tjis is the time we should come together and be more vigilant in change in our country. This time we will be more careful, more rational, more critical and less of objects who are just swept to and from by any wind of doctrine

For those of us who prayed during the 2000 elections, God answered our prayers although we thought he hjad abondoned us.

MDC shape up or move out because you are now a stumbling block towards change. We are tired of thugs ruling Africa and we shall not allow the same to happen in the only place we call home.
enough is enoug!

From the diaspora