Zanu PF is thinking far ahead to elections
There is one important fact to remember when dealing with the Zanu PF regime, when Bob makes threats, he carries them through, do not ever pooh-pooh him. There is an evil, foul smelling wind blowing through the streets of Zimbabwe. Bob and the wailers have manipulated the AIG with their usual cunning strategy: Zanu in cahoots with SADC forced the MDC into a shot-gun wedding and now they are doing their damndest to scupper the whole process.
Obert Mpofu at a party in Nyamandhlovu last weekend declared that there is no unity with the MDC, that no white farmers will ever get back their land, and that people must prepare now for elections. Webster Shamu also held a small rally at Davis Hall on the weekend in Bulawayo, echoing the very same sentiments. He went so far to say that if people wanted to vote for another party they should vote for the newly resurrected zapu. Remember Bob telling everyone at his birthday in February that nothing had changed and he was still in power and that there’d be elections in two years time which everyone needed to get ready for…..?
There is a nasty plot afoot and while the MDC desperately chase their tails, attempting to find their feet in the AIG, zanu are busy jockeying for power. I think preparing people for yet another violent run-up to elections. In fact, by the time we get to elections MDC will have lost all credibility as zanu will ensure they keep not one promise to the people.
The MDC better wake up fast!
March 25th, 2009 17:59
McGee is right. the US should not give aid to this evil thing called the unity government. There is absolutely no change
March 26th, 2009 01:08
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/world/africa/20zimbabwe.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=zimbabwe&st=cse&scp=4
Some new ministers, however, have devoted years to political activism in a country whose economy is crumbling. Diplomats here worry that Mr. Mugabe will exploit this vulnerability with his usual strategy of “bait the hook.” Many new ministers have accepted the Mercedes-Benzes that Mr. Coltart refused.
“There’s a very real danger our members and ministers could be sucked into the patronage system,” said Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who is now driving an E280 Mercedes. “Our members have to be vigilant and principled.”
Eric Matinenga, one of Zimbabwe’s most respected trial lawyers and the new minister of constitutional and parliamentary affairs, said he talked to others in the Movement for Democratic Change about taking a unified stand on the cars. “I said, ‘Look, how would we justify getting these luxury vehicles when there is a humanitarian crisis out there?’ ” he said. “To my disappointment, we were not able to come up with a single position.”
Mr. Matinenga, who braved arrest and weeks in jail last year after representing victims of political violence, took a metallic green E-Class Mercedes. “I know it’s not a good excuse,” he said, “but will I make a difference if I turn this down?”
March 26th, 2009 01:11
There were two choices here. All MDC ministers refuse the cars. OR all MDC ministers take the cars, sell them, and give the money to church groups feeding the starving, hospitals, schools, public transport.
What is happening here?
March 26th, 2009 08:02
I believe it is OK to campaign given the nature of this set-up. The MDC must be seen to be campaiginin too, against any odds. However, the process of Constitution making should be rolled out NOW. A lot has already been done in this respect and I believe it is possible to have the issues of a new constitution dealt with in much less than 18 months. Knowing the bickering that goes on with the implementation of this Gnu, the bickering on this issue should start NOW. Let us see more of the NCA engaging Parliamnet or visa vesa. The clean up of the voters roll should start now, the issue of the diaspora vote and so on should not wait until it is too late.
March 28th, 2009 09:01
Time is moving fast. We need a new constitution in place like NOW. Where is the NCA,and other pressure groups. We need to make demands for the start of this process of a new Constitution more visible during this period. A website can be set upo to make consultations NOW.We need LESS talk-shops and stalling analyses NOW.
March 31st, 2009 14:51
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TITLE DEEDS THE FARM IS NOT YOURS. OFFER LETTERS OR LEASE AGREEMENT CAN BE CANCELLED AT AN TIME BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO GAVE YOU.
April 2nd, 2009 03:38
the country can not be held at ransom becuse of your paranoia.If zanu is preparing for elections then mdc should do the same.The country must move forward.
April 2nd, 2009 17:50
We ALL need to be thinking far ahead to elections in the same manner. This is crucial. Voter education should start now; eligible persons must register to vote especially the youths, parents must take it upon themselves to ensure that their children get their ID’s now and to register them to vote; schools must educate eligible scholars of the need to register to vote, everyone must be psyched up for the coming elections and must know now what kind of a leader they shall vote for. What about the diaspora vote?
Cleaning of the voters’ roll must start now etc. We need to see more being done in this vital area.
April 8th, 2009 15:34
The acceptance of luxury vehicles by the MDC (both T & M) which were bought under the economically-unfriendly quasi-fiscal programmes, is a betrayal of the people. The cost of these has been and will continue to be footed by the few working people in Zimbabwe. Ministers are public servants – whose livelihood is funded by tax-payers money. This notion appears to have eluded our gallant MDC leaders, who have thus far braved the most brutal repressions in the history of Zimbabwe. Have you already forgotten the very cause of the struggle???What about in 3 months time? a year’s time? This is very deplorable.
The MDC is a people’s party. By all means, I urge all ministers to reject these cars. These are certainly NOT the times for any such extravagance (especially from the MDC – we expect far much better!!!) Let’s have the vehicles sold and generate at least $1m – that will go along way in other sectors of the economy.