“Yes, we are all being armed; we are going back to war”
This man, above, is from UMP, Mashonaland East Province, the local ‘war vet’ and Zanu PF militia put plastic on his back and arms and burned it. He only managed to get to hospital four days later.
This man, above, is also from UMP area. He was tied to his hut door by militia and then set alight. This happened last week and he only managed to get to hospital last night.
The email accompanying the images echoes the message received yesterday from a different source.
We cannot get ambulances to go into that area as they are either turned back by Police or threatened by CIO. So we are borrowing fuel off anyone and everyone for our MDC guys vehicles to go in and find the injured.
The same person who sent us this message also advised us that someone he knows in the Macheke area saw two youngsters walking down the road with AKs slung over their shoulders. He asked another person - a war vet he had a friendly relationship with - what it was about:
The answer was, “Yes we are all being armed; we are going back to war”.
April 22nd, 2008 11:00
Ow. Sorry! That looks very painful. Please know that the world is thinking of you.
And good to the people with the spirit and courage to help them move to hospital.
I have been thinking, in addition to no more guns,we must also campaign against the bankers. No more money!
The money - the funny notes - are no longer a public service allowing people to do business more easily. They function to buy up forex coming in from the diaspora. It is also used to pay people and as it is not backed by a tax base, it is simple theft - it is stealing the goods it buys.
Stopping the notes will reduce the state to using electronic money. And we can pick that up at that time. Will the civilians suffer if there are no more funny notes - not really - Zimbabweans are innovative. They will find other methods of trading. People on the ground should comment though. We are just here to help.
Maybe economists and bankers would like to comment as well? The people printing the money are Giesecke & Devrient. They are a German company. I think EU nationals could put a lot of pressure on them to stop printing the notes. They are likely to comply as I doubt the profit they make will be worth the bad publicity.
April 22nd, 2008 11:44
Better still, why not order up a whole new set of currency on behalf of the rightful government and start using it. Ask any East German what happened when East Germany still had a government but no longer had its own currency.
I realise that idea is short on detail, but there are some principles to explore in the relationship between currency and political power, if we get our thinking caps on.
April 22nd, 2008 13:37
Definitely agree… no money to pay soldiers and police to brutalise people. Let’s email:
Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
Prinzregentenstraße 159
81677 Munich
Germany
Tel. +49 89 4119-0
Fax +49 89 4119-1535
press@gi-de.com, government@gi-de.com, banknote-printing@gi-de.com,
Management Board: Dr. Karsten Ottenberg (Chairman), Dr. Peter Zattler, Dr. Walter Schlebusch, Hans Wolfgang Kunz, Michael Kuemmerle
Chairman of the supervisory board: Peter Mihatsch
April 22nd, 2008 13:55
German government emails for the ‘No more money or bank-note paper to Mugabe campaign’: Does anyone speak German… could do us a letter?
German Banking Workers Union: lbz.hessen@verdi.de
German chancellor contact page: http://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/Webs/BK/EN/Service/Contact/contact.html__nnn=true
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs: poststelle@auswaertiges-amt.de
German Ministry of Finance: poststelle@bmf.bund.de
German Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Development: poststelle@bmz.bund.de
German Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Youth etc: info@bmfsfj.bund.de
German Federal Govt Press Office: InternetPost@bundesregierung.de
German Government press office contact page: http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/EN/Service/Email/email.html__nnn=true
April 22nd, 2008 13:58
The solution..is to act decisively rather than to intellectualise the issue ad nauseum..ACT. History shows the story of all genocide is one of different commissions and omissions of three typical groups… the blood thirsty perpetrators…the helpless victims and the global moral majority who watch the show from the sidelines offering their detached concern and risk free, academic solutions, while the deaths are taking place. 6 million jews and 800,000 Rwandans died…due to inaction.
After 10 years Zimbabweans are STILL the focus of aggressive right wing policies of brutality and failed left wing solutions based on blind pacifism and passivity. What a pornographic show… REPEATED from 2000…2002…2005 the same cycle…of wrong assessment, hope, fraud, violence and hand wringing. Who is questionning this?
All over Zimbabwe people are suffering and dying while two sides justify their wrong headed policies… Losing just one life because one side believed in ultra violent means and the other side solved that problem by pretending utopian principles mattered more than being realistic is the real crime.
…. yahoo.com…………………… [link removed]
April 22nd, 2008 14:33
You’ve shown a number of images such as the ones heading this post, and you have such a gallery on Flickr. You must be commended for maintaining this graphic record. However, both Sokwanele and Flickr have an impact only on those who are well aware of the situation in Zimbabwe and actively seek out anything we can find on the internet, often involving long hours of searching and following up leads. Can we trust that international politicians are as dedicated in their research. I recall one who could not comment on a politcal issue because he had not had time to watch CNN.
A thousand words can be said with one picture, so the maxim goes. With all the emailing activism that is evident, could you provide lower resolution images on your site for potential emailers to copy and transmit with their emails to the politicians and organisations they aim to lobby. Not everyone has the knowledge to render images of low resolution suitable for emailing and delivering the short, quick punch.
April 22nd, 2008 14:33
@anon
In many countries, to use the internet to incite violence is an offense and google and co will hand over your information to anyone with a warrant.
We are all entitled to our views but we should be clear - even if we were trying to
organize an armed struggle, which we are not, we wouldn’t be doing it in public view. So it is quite likely these people are amateurs at best, set ups at worst.
So please to anyone who has not lived through a war before, and who is new to all this, be careful of people on the internet trying to draw you into illegal activity.
As a rule of thumb, to check someone’s integrity, look at the pattern of their speech. Are they talking about what they are doing? Or are you the one has to go and get shot?
Are they discussing with you? Would they listen to you if you disagreed? If not, then are you any better off with them than you are with a dictator?
Stay safe people! Lets focus on what is good and true and bring Zimbabwe to a positive place with a joyous future.
If people don’t want to do the work being coordinated here, we can suggest organizing scholarships for children in the diaspora, working with Doctors without Frontiers and the churches to get medicine into Zimbabwe, providing mobile phones and phone cards so people can communicate, and so on. Practical concrete actions that we can do in easy steps right now with our own resources. Our destiny is ours and it is peaceful and joyous.
April 22nd, 2008 14:40
Malcolm: Most of the images on our Flickr gallery are low enough for emailing even at full size. We usually have the opposite problem: few high res images that the press can use for print. This is because it is very difficult for Zimbabweans to send out or upload images via dial-up connections.
Flickr also enables people to select which size they want to download to email out. We recommend choosing the ’small size’ to download if you want to keep things as quick as possible.
To do this, go to the flickr account: select ‘All sizes’ from the links above the picture you want to download, then select the ’small size’ option.
You make a good point though: we must make the directions clearer and more explicit.
We’ve also just sent out a press release with the latest batch of images to alert the press.
April 22nd, 2008 14:48
Quite right, scotchcart.
@BM: Do you still need a German letter?
On a different note (haha)
“German bank gets impound order for Chinese ship’s Zimbabwe-bound cargo”
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/22/europe/EU-GEN-Germany-Zimbabwe-Chinese-Ship.php
April 22nd, 2008 15:11
If somebody emails me a letter they want translated into german I will happily do so and post it here or email it back.
April 22nd, 2008 16:28
I must commend this blog, and all contributors.
There is not much that happens that is not reported here as soon it occurs, and even before the media get it sometimes. Sharp bunch of blokes and gals out there.
And I would think that you are making a measureable difference to how this debacle plays out.
Go for it!
April 22nd, 2008 16:59
As far as I am concerned. Any blood spilled or life taken from here on in is on Thabo Mbeki’s hands. Hope he is proud of his achievements.
April 22nd, 2008 17:27
Hi guys,I have just sent out emails to major cable news companies depicting the atrocities of Robert Mugabe. Thank you so much for keeping this site running,keep the images coming in. Someone will definitely notice them!
April 22nd, 2008 18:23
I hear the police have lost their will to support Mugabe - is this correct?
Ok when will the soldiers loose their will? Surely the people know many soldiers? Say to the soldiers : look at your country - why kill your neighbour when your neighbour is the same as you. We are all starving. Say to the soldiers: spread the word - put down your weapons! Enough is enough! Spread the word! Take courage! God bless Zim and all the good people.
April 22nd, 2008 19:44
Hi All….Sometimes things go very wrong very quickly. Zim’s situation is a case in point. I know that posts are very easily transfered from inside Zim (Albeit slowly) but if history teaches us anything, you need to be prepared for cut links and monitored traffic in the not too distant future. Google PSIPHON and ask friends and family to host it for those inside Zim. Don’t forget to give IP and password info to trusted contacts only.
TOR (the Onion Router is another high security web tool. Google EFF. org for info.
April 22nd, 2008 20:23
The photos - what can I say? It will only strengten our effort.
So, I will need a German letter too, please.
Here is also two links:
info@tutufoundation-usa.org and
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (In Germany)
mail@bzfo.de or b.jenkins@bzfo.de
April 22nd, 2008 20:25
The ridiculous ‘recount’ is now a total shambles. The photos and reports of violence and torture are horrific. The so-called ‘international community’ simply cannot continue to stand by and watch.
The situation must be tackled by international leaders NOW, before it is too late to avoid countless innocent victims.
The formula articulated today by Morgan Tsvangirai is, surely, the only way forward: “Robert Mugabe is a liberation hero on our continent and he must be convinced to make a graceful exit”. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7360979.stm
April 22nd, 2008 21:17
I am not quite sure how to go on about translating something.
Could whoever runs this site forward an email to me?
Or just post what you would like translated here and I will post a german version.
I don’t really want to publish my email as it is the only one I got, I am not getting too much spam there and I’d like to keep it that way. On the other hand I would very much like to help as much as I can!
April 22nd, 2008 21:27
We need IT help fast. We are generating ideas and contacts so fast. Think of the young people in your family who could put together a website together quickly where we can all post. I think it can be done pretty much for free.
I didn’t understand the google post. Can someone spell it out in baby steps.
Also I notice people on SWRadioAfrica sound depressed. Is there someone who could summarise what is happening here for them to report. We have to get people in a positive frame of mind - hard I know. But when we are positive we have energy and we find points of leverage we don’t see when we have ‘had it’.
The smile campaign and the prayer campaign are still important.
IT guys - we need you lots. Lots!
April 22nd, 2008 21:29
A Famous Quote from MARTIN LUTHER KING.
Whatever your views…It resonates.
“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed”
April 22nd, 2008 22:10
Scotch cart: The contact information being suggested on this blog is, as I speak, being collated into an online database, organised, accessible and searchable to all. I haven’t actually seen a tool like this for Zimbabweans anywhere before.
Unfortunately, these things take a bit of time to set up, but once they are up, they fly. It’s up, and data is being entered. It will be live very soon.
In the meanwhile, please can everyone keep the contact information coming in.
May I suggest we focus on the ‘ENABLERS’ - China.
I do not believe this story ends with a shipment being turned away.
I do believe we need to take a precautionary approach and assume the worst. If the best happens - fantastic - but lets not be caught wrong-footed!
People are being killed in Zimbabwe. Today, I saw a picture of a murdered young man and we haven’t yet worked out whether it would be appropriate to publish it or not. It really broke my heart.
The fact is, Mugabe means business: his survival depends on whether he can bash or kill the opposition and democratic movements like ours into accepting his will.
Mugabe always has a plan. We need to anticpate that plan and work hard to undermine it. Always.
We must never celebrate too soon.
The task you are all engaged in is possibly bigger than you realise. The evil you are squaring up to is formidable, but I am already seeing evidence of Goliath wincing at the stones he is being pelted with.
Fantastic work. Well done.
As a group - we do not accept that terror is an acceptable way to cow a population so we ask people to keep thinking, keep working and do not feel downhearted if things don’t go our way - that’s the nature of things.
We’ve been doing this for ten years: you get the highs and the lows - you just have to ride through the lows and not be defeated by a bully.
But for the sake of the people who are being killed and tortured and cannot - CANNOT - speak for themselves, we do what we can.
p.s. (Scotchcart - I’ve been trying to email you privately, by the way, using the email address you submit with your comments.)
April 22nd, 2008 22:15
I have today asked friends in a development charity in German to raise awareness within their community and the German Government. Thank you all for these brilliant ideas. Each picture of my brutalised countryman is motivating me to do something. Keeping busy and feeling useful is helping deal with this nightmare. I would also like to give a talk at my University about the situation in Zimbabwe. Do I have Sokwanele’s permission to use the pictures. I will appropriately credit Sokwanele. Thank you
April 22nd, 2008 22:34
Yes we are all armed, we are going back to war. So speaks the war vets, strange how these war vets have discovered the fountain of youth. The war vets are mugabes criminals,
Scotchcart, why do you not open a web page…go to google, get yourself an e mail address and follow the directions, Or is this the talk the talk phase of this fantasy?
April 22nd, 2008 22:37
@ Scotch Cart
Less patronising please…The issue is the end of tyranny not the defensive expression of liberal umbarge …History will decide that we all played our part..
No one has advocated violence at any level …however…the point is that in life when mother nature seeks a new path evolution will provide a new way.
As the moderator of this site has stated …comments containing hate speech..expressions of violence etc will not be posted…
As they also stated …
We are all in this together…team mates so please dont see any offence where none exists. As mentioned the issue is with RGM no one else.
April 22nd, 2008 22:59
Sokwanele I have posted a comment on one of your blogs that you can action for us all.
We need to collate the best ideas and reaction them again a soon as possible. Can you do this for us Sokwanele?
I agree that there is a greta will on this site to act at whatever level we can but we need someone on the inside to give us a clue where it might hurt Bob most at present.
I’ve said before all Bob’s men need food and water and if with some intervention they need to spend all their time on the toilet forinstance it makes life difficult!
April 22nd, 2008 23:01
[...] announcements. Excitement curdled to despair. Moods yo-yo’ed as events unfolded, and as pictures of stomach-turning brutality are smuggled out of the country by brave activists, people have become palpably [...]
April 22nd, 2008 23:32
If the ‘war vets’ are all armed, and are being brainwashed by the homicidal maniac Mugabe into ‘going back to war’, the only answer must be that the forces of construction, decency and democracy will have to be armed too. The international community will have to see to it that supplies of arms are brought in and distributed into the hands of the resistance. Unfortunately, it is the way of the world that the forces of fanaticism can only be opposed by force.
April 23rd, 2008 00:19
@ True Grit / Nyonii and others…
At present a great deal of frustration exists with the pace of change and the methods used to achieve change..and the way the regime has used brute force to frustrate those efforts…
Sokwanele and its members are engaged in the important work of Humanitarian activism and social/political pressure that rejects the use of force / violence as a means to gain progress in Zimbabwe…(I and others may differ but respect their work as the destination sought is the same)
From what I can gather at present they are engaged in lobbying contributing to preventing the Chinese ship from delivering its cargo…
As the work of normalisation requires a unified front and minimal internal conflicts between the moderates and less moderate wings in the change movement…rather than have a to and fro as to whether one method is better than another may I suggest visiting
[... link removed in keeping with Sokwanele's principles of non violence]
It was set up as little outlet is given to Zimbabweans who are angry and frustrated with the failure of the democratic process and the regime brutality and want to express angry views which might seem to some to advocate force…though unlike some misinformed overly analytical people have claimed its aim is NOT so…
April 23rd, 2008 05:12
Photos: Although challenging to look at, Sokwanele, you are right for sharing these pictures. I see this guy’s back and he looks strong, and was willing to work for what he believes in. Now he’s suffering a lot of pain. What determination he and other Zimbabweans must have! He is a brave man and even more brave to share his pain with others. THANK YOU YOUNG MAN WITH BURNING PLASTIC INJURIES. Thank you Sokwanele sincerely for figuring out how to post these, which must have been a difficult decision.
Now when the churches say that brutality is on the upswing on a wide scale, it tends to resonate more.
Not my place to suggest — if showing that image of a person killed let’s people see what Mugabe is really doing, you might consider showing it. If it would spread fear and panic in the public, perhaps not, it is your call. What tare he implications of showing the image?
Just knowing a reliable source such as Sokwanele has the image conveys the reality of the lengths this military-inspired government is going to cling to power, and may help the resolve of neighbors whose “patience has worn thin” to wear out.
End the violence: Mugabe, military, green bombers, war vets, there is still time to stop. Each crime after March 29 is an act of politicide, a crime against humanity, whereas prior to the 29th there was a remarkable low amount of violence. Each killing will be found out as this government is nearing an end. Better late than never, to show your human, neighborly side. Perhaps you are confused from the wrong and hateful information that was given to you, and that is at least partly understandable. What about stopping, just try to stay away when asked to participate in something that is wrong.
On violence: True Grit, your heart may be in the right place but violence loses. The other side has “degrees in violence.” Rarely if ever has violence delivered on its promises, because it empowers the worst of your side to give results. To get out of a homicidal mess, you rather need the best side to show itself. Not lecturing anyone, no morality lesson, it is the only practical workable solution.
April 23rd, 2008 05:52
I am from America I wish that I could send my friends money to help them feed the families Also I come quarterly to buy art How can I do this now It lease the money I spend $4000.00 US help to fed many people
April 23rd, 2008 07:40
Do you really think that the ship might go back, since China knows that its actions are being watched because of the upcoming olympics? Darfur, Tibet and Zimbabwe…surely it cannot go on.
heres the article
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/23/africa/23zimbabwe.php
April 23rd, 2008 10:24
@ Beng
Thanks for that help in phrasing letters to China.
From my understanding gained in that part of the world and reading translations of what ‘Chinese netizens’ have to say on the matter, Beng is on the right path.
There are many people in China who believe that SA should be punished for blocking the shipment. When we talk with enablers we have to be savvy about all the pressures on them. Give then choices they can say yes to. And keep our discussions to the issue at hand. Declaring someone an enemy (as the netizens seem to do) when they have crossed you on one issue doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Thanks, Beng. I wouldn’t have known how to phrase that letter. If nothing else, we are grooming a set of people here who are knowledgeable about world trade and international diplomacy!
April 23rd, 2008 11:22
It is highly unlikely that a political party can petition the UN into any action on mediation or intervention fronts. I understand that as a Government in Exile the MDC could be afforded more of a legal standing at the UN (there are cases,albiet rare, of this happening.) I would imagine that MDC is somewhat reined-in, legally, until anouncement of the results. Should a Government in Exile status be declared I think we should gear-up in preparation. The voter rights denied to all in the diaspora may be reclaimed by showing our support at the UN. I know how difficult and risky it is to operate on the internet from Zimbabwe, and all of the externalised Zimbabweans must make a concerted effort to exercise the freedoms afforded to us on behalf of the less free citizens of Zimbabwe. Therefore any email contacts for the UN and its subsidiaries would help. Sokwanele, there have been many email address supplied in numerous comments. Could you reproduce them on your blog page side panel, for instance, so that we don’t have to search through all the comments?
April 23rd, 2008 11:53
Malcom. It’s a critical point, I agree. We have set up a proper searchable database to log and store information. Hoping to get it live very soon.
April 23rd, 2008 11:59
I have heard on UK Radio today that one of the recounted ballots has reversed the official count and now given the win to Bob. This is not good news as I suspect that this will happen throught Zim.
There is some great ideas exchanged on this site and positive action and support is all we can give you Sokwanele at present. However, be sure that we are circulating those two letters in German and English to as many contacts as we can.
I have noticed that during the last two days there are some Chinese bloggers trying to get their side of the arguement heard. Can anyone produce a letter such as the German one above in Madarin for us to use today?
April 23rd, 2008 12:14
Hi Sokwanele and CC, here’s a draft of a short letter for German emails: alter and improve as necessary. I left the links at the end blank… need to find them again.
Dear Sir, Dear Madam,
The German company Giesecke & Devrient GmbH (G & D) supplies money/bank-note paper to the brutal Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe.
G & D is helping Mugabe to pay his violent militia to beat and torture opposition voters and ordinary people.
G & D is directly responsible for Mugabe’s ability to pay for bullets, AK-47s and mortars used to keep power illegally.
The German government has spoken against Mugabe’s tyranny in the past. Zimbabwean people are very grateful for Germany’s support in their struggle for democracy and peace.
PLEASE HELP TO STOP GERMANY SUPPLYING MUGABE AND HIS ILLEGAL REGIME WITH PAPER TO PRINT MONEY.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Sincerely,
……….
Links to Further information:
April 23rd, 2008 12:26
@ scotchcart re Positive Frame of Mind:
I think when people look back the business with the ship will have proved an important turning point. Starting from a small place (did it start on this very blog?), the case was taken up by African Trades Unions, Churches, the courts, then the port authorities and government officials of Mozambique and Angola, and finally went all the way up to the President of Zambia and Chair of SADC Levy Mwanawasa.
All this happened before the Americans or anyone else in the West could think of it or lobby for it, so for once they can’t try and claim credit for telling Africans what to do in the patronising way they unfortunately often do (their “do as I say not as I do” approach gives Mugabe’s people massive propaganda points!). The speed of the Internet and the way the information got around meant that the victory, while a small one in material terms, was achieved by African people, African institutions and African governments.
From this point on, the idea that dictators can be propped up while the people and institutions of Africa remain powerless, is a thing of that past. We have seen that realisation at every level. That’s why I say that while it seems like one small thing, we may well find that history looks back on this business as a turning point.
So there is something to be upbeat about when so much else is so frustrating. It can be done!
April 23rd, 2008 12:38
In the Bible there is a line that says.. Am I my brothers keeper?.what does it mean?..The saddest thing about this whole tradegy unfolding in Zimbabwe is that it is not new … it is as preventable as it was predictable…
As with most social tradegies honest warnings were dismissed by insecure men and women within the civil liberties activist establishment who have turned, Zimbabwes suffering and other crisis into a fetish for their social conscience and a stepping stone for their ambitions..it is enough to care but not to sacrifice.
The current template of civil protest was lifted directly from the civil rights era of America and the FLOWER movements of Eastern Europe, and imposed as a method of change upon a vulnerable Zimbabwean public to oppose a vicious African regime.
The current crisis is a direct result of this imposition born of a lack of honest situational analysis, an inability to admit when ideas and methods are wrong and a lack of preparation…in the light of glaring past evidence. Its nteresting thinking if Hitler had been opposed with such methods, or Idi Amin or Pol Pot….
Forcing the Zimbabwean people into a meat grinder over unrealistic ‘civilized’ liberal principles.
Yet no one is wrong regardless of the evidence, the failure is justified because others are bearing the weight of the torture.
We know this because the pictures are spreading. There is so much liberal concern yet no liberal is that concerned that they are willing go to Zimbabwe any time soon and actually disarm the militias of their clubs and knives and AKs???
No offence but people like Scotch Cart can play internet activist god all day long on this site knowing that they have no intention of putting one foot inside present day crisis ridden Zimbabwe to protect those people they watch in your pictures.
I thought about your campaign regarding the ship, its commendable yet only one consignment out of many.and theres only one way to stop them all…so who is really their brothers keeper?
[link deleted in line with Sok principles of non violence]
April 23rd, 2008 13:05
Amazing, wonderful, proof that power IS in the hands of the people, and that governments are in fact the servants of the people!
It was Noseweek that spotted the arms shipment - showing the importance of people-level investigative journalism - and SATAWU’s immediate honourable response - the workers.
Then Bishop Rubin and SALC and decent courts - swift support of lawyers and churches.
And the outcry by the people of Africa and peoples of the world who are against arms and war and for peace and justice… making their voices heard and creating pressure on governments to act for the good of the ordinary people everywhere.
Workers of the world united for peace and justice! and, yes, hope for a better future.
April 23rd, 2008 13:19
@ Saidi, you gave me a fright there!
Goromonzi West has been upheld - NO CHANGE (no pun intended!). This was the seat callenged by MDC.
So, let me put it this way: nothing pamberi, nothing pasi!
April 23rd, 2008 13:39
I’ve sent a rough&ready translation of BMs letter to my mother in Germany who will try and contact some newspapers.
She might suggest a few alterations, I could post the my final german version here if there is any demand.
My mother had no idea that this is going on and was rightfully disgusted by the whole affair.
April 23rd, 2008 13:47
@ Mike
Yes, SATAWU will remain one of the stories of Africa for a long long time.
We must enjoy their boldness and then remember they can only be so bold because they have worked hard to organize and mobilize. And this is never ending.
It ain’t an event; it’s a process!
Surely we can make a ’sexier’ slogan?
The truth is we enjoyed it, not so much because they did it, though that was really important, but because we felt we were able to take part, each in a small way.
We’ve been missing that. Everyone want to be the one to score the goal. We can win this match with one or two goals only. To get those goals, we need good mid-fielders and good defenders too.
That is where Sokwanele and the people here have been fantastic. Building up the play so the strikers can finish!
Yebo! Damn - I have to go to work!
April 23rd, 2008 13:56
Ich tried to write a german letter for our purpose to say:
“no money to pay soldiers and police to brutalise people”.
‘No more money or bank-note paper to Mugabe campaign’:
translated for the subject line of your future e-mail for the following german institutions someone already gave us above:
subject-line:
“Kein Geld und keine Banknoten mehr für Mugabe’s aktuelle brutale Kampagne”
addresses:
German Banking Workers Union: lbz.hessen@verdi.de
German chancellor contact page: http://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/Webs/BK/EN/Service/Contact/contact.html__nnn=true
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs: poststelle@auswaertiges-amt.de
German Ministry of Finance: poststelle@bmf.bund.de
German Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Development: poststelle@bmz.bund.de
German Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Youth etc: info@bmfsfj.bund.de
German Federal Govt Press Office: InternetPost@bundesregierung.de
German Government press office contact page: http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/EN/Service/Email/email.html__nnn=true
to address the German Chancellor in German use:
Sehr geehrte Frau Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Merkel,
…
for the other institutions just use:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
…
I vouch for the content of the letter. Anyone who needs a translation put it on the comments then I will try with my bad English. And now the letter, just copy it in your mail:
Ich möchte Sie dringendst darauf aufmerksam machen, dass die Münchener Firma Giesecke & Devrient (G&D GmbH) wöchentlich tausende frisch gedruckter Banknoten nach Zimbabwe einfliegen läßt und damit das brutale Vorgehen der Regierungspartei ZANU-PF nach den aktuellen Wahlen direkt unterstützt. Glaubwürdige journalistische Quellen im In- und Ausland belegen dies. Angesichts der jüngsten sich dramatisch verschlechternden humanitären Siutation vor Ort nach den Wahlen vom 29. März ist es unhaltbar, dass eine deutsche Firma eine jetzt de-facto illegale und undemokratische Militärregierung unterstützt. Mit diesem Geld wird nicht nur die derzeitige Weltrekord-Inflation drastisch verschlechtert, sondern gelangt vor allem in die Hände der Anhänger des Staatsapparates. Das bedeutet, dass diese Banknoten aktuell dazu dienen, Oppositionsanhänger, demokratische Aktivisten und viele einfache Leute, die gegen die Mugabe-Regierung kürzlich gewählt haben, brutal niederzuschlagen. Eine staatlich inszenierte Kampagne ist nachweislich (Siehe u.a. Human rights Watch)mit der beängstigenden Konsequenz eingeleitet worden, dass tausende Leute vor allem in den ländlichen Gebieten brutal zusammengeschlagen, gefoltert und in einigen Fällen sogar ermordet und ihre Häuser zerstört werden.Tausende von Menschen sind im eigenen Land auf der Flucht, weil die Regierungspartei unter Mugabe Krieg gegen seine eigenen Staatsbürger führt, die mehrheitlich gegen diese Regierung und für ein würdiges Überleben und Demokratie gestimmt haben. Giesecke & Devrient verweigern derzeit offizielle Kommentare. Als Grund geben sie an, dass ihre geschäftlichen Beziehungen als vertraulich angesehen werden sollen. Aber angesichts der sich anbahnenden humanitären Katastrophe kann eine solche Aussage nicht mehr hingenommen werden. Ich bitte Sie daher eindringlich, alle Ihnen zur Verfügung stehenden Mittel zu nutzen, den Druck von Banknoten durch G&D sofort zu stoppen und eine öffentliche Stellungnahme diesbezüglich zu formulieren.
Hochachtungsvoll,…. (submit your name here)
April 23rd, 2008 14:11
People power - see brilliant Cosatu statement:
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12301:cosatu-mobilises-against-illegal-zimbabwe-regime-&catid=31:top%20zimbabwe%20stories&Itemid=66
or lead story ‘Cosatu mobilises…’ on:
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
April 23rd, 2008 14:15
Sandra that is an excellent letter!
Substantially better then anything I could come up with anyway.
I will tell my mother to use yours when she contacts german papers and whoever else she can think of.
Thanks!
April 23rd, 2008 14:20
Please can someone translate the letter into English. Thanks!
April 23rd, 2008 14:22
Thanks for German letter, Sandra. Sent off to all including Deutsche Welle press in Germany:
info@dw-world.de
Also post on Der Spiegel contact page
With no arms and no money, Mugabe will be sunk.
April 23rd, 2008 15:09
Thanks BM both for the COSATU link and the link to Gilnert Muponda.
Muponda’s article is pretty thoughtful.
COSATU are amazing. I am truly humbled. They take my breath away.
April 23rd, 2008 15:26
Sandras letter in english:
I would like to draw urgent attention to the fact that the munich company of G&D GmbH is sending thousands of freshly printed money to Zimbabwe on a weekly basis and is therefore supporting the brutal clampdown by the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Reliable journalistic sources at home and abroad support this.
In view of the dramatically deteriorating humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe since the election on the 29th of march it is unacceptable that a german company is supporting an effectively illegal and undemocratic military regime. This money is not only worsening the hyperinflation but it also ends up in the hands of the local supporters of this regime. This means that these banknotes are actually used to brutally suppress opposition supporters, democratic activists and the general population which recently voted against the Mugabe government.A state-organized campaign of terror has led to thousands of people, mostly in rural areas, being beaten, tortured and in some cases murdered and their homes destroyed. Thousands are refugees in their own country because the Mugabe regime has declared war on its own population. A population which voted against this government and for a life of dignity and democracy. G&D currently refuse to comment claiming their business activities are a private matter.
In view of the approaching human catastrophe this point of view is not acceptable anymore. I sincerely ask you to do all you can to stop G&D printing immediately and to relaes a public statement regarding their activities.
Sincerely…
PS my mother sent this to Spiegel, taz, Tagesspegel und Berliner Zeitung.
April 23rd, 2008 15:57
Miko said: 23/4, 05.12
“Violence loses”
BM said: 23/4, 13.05
“power is in the hands of the people…governments are the servants of the people”
There is an old saying: ‘An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping that it will eat him last’.
The reason why the American Constitution contains (and hopefully always will) the right of the individual to bear arms is because, ultimately, it is not the government that rules the people, but the people who rule themselves. Remember also, that as well as having a roar, a lion also has claws.
April 23rd, 2008 16:46
True Grit and anon: Sokwanele is a non violent organisation and we do not advocate or support violence as a solution at all.
Violence really does not work.
If violence DID work, then Robert Mugabe would not be scrabbling to stay in power right now. He has bashed and beaten the people of Zimbabwe for decades, and still they vote against him.
The calls for violence on this blog need to factor in the reality of our country.
We are not a country which is being invaded by a foreign nation. We are a civilian population - and the fact is we are one which has our strongest and most able-bodied people being forced to work in the diaspora (3-4 million people). It’s about BASIC survival.
Unemployment is over 80%. This means people have to worry about feeding their families every day. Basic survival is a major, major factor in our country. People, every day, need to think about how to feed their starving children, elderly relatives, or sick relatives.
The burdon of individual responsiblity on people in Zimbabwe is MASSIVE and far beyond the imaginations of many in the rest of the world. They are unlikely to abandon their desperate families to certain starvation to take up arms.
Wjhat we would see is even more people crawling under the wire to get to South Africa so their families can eat AND escape a war.
We have a life expectancy of 34 for women and 37 for men. Our people are weakened by hunger and many of them are ill (among the highest HIV/AIDS stats in the world).
The good news is that although our bodies are tired and weak, our intellectual belief in democracy and freedom is strong - as evidenced by our votes and the fact we are still standing and still working against this dictator despite everything.
This small fact is a source of incredible pride for me.
Finally, practically speaking, the Zimbabwean civilians are not armed and there is no country in the world that would arm them even if they could afford to buy weapons or wanted to buy weapons. It is not going to happen.
We need food, not guns.
Anyone who advocates this as a solution needs to understand - from their safe places in the world - that what is being talked about is unarmed people facing real bullets that WILL be used to kill them. I expect Mugabe would like that as a quick end to all his problems and in fact we believe the incredible violence from HIM is an attempt to provoke just such a reaction.
Africa is steeped in grandscale bloodbaths and we do not need to see that, or want to see that, in our country.
I do have a personal belief in non violence, but even with ‘liberal / bleeding heart ‘ convictions aside, it is very clear to all who know this region and political context that it simply won’t work.
I think it would be good if we focused instead on what we CAN do, rather than on what we can’t. Let’s not be sidetracked.
Violence is not a solution for Zimbabwe.
Hope
April 23rd, 2008 17:31
Thanks Hope. I totally agree with you. Zimbabwean people voted in peace for a government of peace. The MDC has always, and continues to, act by peaceful means and we have come far. I think that is one of the reasons why we are getting so much support from around the world now. People see that most Zimbabweans truly are a peaceful people and they respect that. Let us not be divided. We want no more bloodshed. We want Mugabe to stop his violence - that’s what we want!
April 23rd, 2008 17:57
Hope, I’m sorry. I was not trying to promote a violent solution, and certainly not where a peaceful one can be constructed. There is a difference between calling for agression and debating the use of armed defence. If a burglar enters my home and threatens my family with violence, it matters not if he is a foreigner or from the next village, my justification in using reasonable force as a defence is beyond dispute.
From an observer’s perspective, it becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile Mugabe and his hold on your country with sanity. Therefore, what people in this situation would not want, and expect, help to be rid of such a tyrant? Must he die first, only to be followed by an interminable junta of generals, preying on the ruins until no opposition is left?
Again, please forgive my exuberance. My heart is with you all.
April 23rd, 2008 18:11
@ Hope
I wanted to avoid this discussion as you all are doing your lobbying work…However to answer your points….
Non-violence theory is an issue placed in a personal individual context by many who propose it.who place themselves personally and individually in the position as potential ‘actors’ within that framework..What is forgotten is that 1) No one is asking them personally to do any such thing 2)The idea considered impossible to achieve by some is possible to others often for equally valid reasons. We all seek a better nation and the history of all nations shows that will not be achieved by a single path alone.
The blanket generalisation of the term ‘violence’ without any objectivity or context is proven by history to be a false reference.
Objectively no one is an advocate of bringing harm to others however….by your own definition could you answer 3 things…
1) Nazi Germany built the concentration camps between 1933 and 1941 within those camps 6 million jewish people and others perished…how was that regime prevented from doing more damage?
2)Pol Pot murdered approx 2 million and 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were murdered in Rwanda how were those killings stopped?
3)In Zimbabwe a group of militia are about to torture a innocent person. (who happens to be related to you).in a torture camp..how do you prevent this?
The point is Hope that not all innocent people die because people advocate forceful deterence sometimes, the innocent are murdered because decent people confuse the mindless aggression of the tormentors…with the justified act of self defence by those seeking to deter such bullies from acting.
You assume that no one will be seeking to protect those people.or that no one is interested in supporting such efforts..I humbly offer that maybe thats assuming too much and as far as Mugabe seeking a reaction…thats debatable.also..as the attacks are underway already.
The crime in this case is the mindset that seeks democracy yet censors opinion that wants to believe a fact is true, so badly it ignores reality. (But please carry on your lobbying work…however for my own part please note… I stated why I posted my blog link …to divert such discussions away from the work you do here not to advocate anything.)
April 23rd, 2008 19:02
Don’t be sorry True Grit. You are a star and I didn’t mean to sound so school-marmish.
I think what happens is that the day-to-day reality of how bizarre and difficult our country is hard to convey and explain.
Let’s say, for example, someone decided they wanted to educate people on self-defence … (I am simply extrapolating from your point to as an example… )
There is no free media, no radio to communicate to people. No fuel in the country to drive to rural areas to run classes. Paper costs more than food so printing stuff is a joke. And then of course your teachers and class mates would all be bashed for even considering it.
We do what we can to keep hopes alive and spirits up, but it is challenging!
April 23rd, 2008 19:30
This is worse than the Apartheid regime and I sicerely hope that these evil people will be dealt with and not get away with this. I am even prepared to say that Mr Smith’s regime was never that cruel to innocent people and sadly Zim has never seen democracy, freedom and a normal life style since then.Mugabe must go as he has only succeeded in his dictatorship,abusing the vulnerable and weak people.He has broken down the bread basket of Africa, but we will build it up again and we will be a shining example to all of Africa how to overcome adversity.May God keep his hand firmly on all the people of Zim.
April 23rd, 2008 21:01
The German letter is great! Well done.
The quotation from the Chinese code of conduct confirms what Beng said. Let’s not assume that one issue makes an enemy. Let’s appeal to people’s own goals and better natures.
And Hope, yes, I like your spirited account. I would go further. The great strength of Zimbabwe is its utter reasonableness.
Some people are passive. It is true. Some people look clearly for a fulcrum and they apply a lever.
I have been so impressed by what has been put here today. My inbox was flooded. Thanks so much.
April 23rd, 2008 21:05
@ anon
I think we have something that you are uniquely qualified to do.
Could you make us a mashup, a Google map showing where the ZNA is, where the barracks are, what armaments they have, what they have bought recently? Where are the airports? What planes we have left, etc. I think people will be very interested.
This is quite important given the news that Angola is standing by to send in troops. What numbers of people are they talking about? What planes do they have? Where will they be deployed in Zim? What munitions will they have? How many people will they brin? that points to food supplies. An army marches on its stomach.
April 23rd, 2008 22:48
@ Scotch Cart
Though I am surprised …
The information will be on my blogspot tomorrow…however as its considered promoting violence… I will have no means of relaying the information as the link is automatically deleted.
April 23rd, 2008 23:42
Sokwanele,
The letter translated into German by one of these kind bloggers has been forwarded to the owners of a major German Bank. He replied to me this evening saying he was equaly disgusted by the events in Zimbabwe and he would do what he can quickly.
I have only been away from my computer to go fishing and catch a trout for my tea and when I got home the blogs across the world on this arms shipment and the stories of Chinese soldiers is everywhere.
What a great tool for supporting you all in Zim this blog has been. Has anyone been able to prepare a letter in Chinese Mandarin so that we can start sending them direct to China.
I have seen on CCTV that the Chinese are starting to get aggravated by all this fuss that people are making about supplying Zim with arms. Afterall are they not doing the same in evry other wartorn country in Africa.
April 24th, 2008 09:21
As has already been said by many leaders already, what Mugabe is doing is totally unacceptable and i balieve that its about time the intertnational community engaged. Zimbabwean problems will not be solved by the Zimbabweans themselves alone. With help and support from outside, they will be able to oust Mugabe. From an eagles view, even a fool can tell that Mugabe will not go down without without a fight (violent fight). [... edited]
April 24th, 2008 12:27
Thanks for the translation of the letter I did. I had no time to do it yesterday because of work. Thanks al lot!
April 24th, 2008 13:50
My pleasure!
Just glad I could do a little bit because I think the continuing flow of worthless currency is a major factor for the situation Zimbabwe is in now. It keeps Mugabes cronies well supplied with US$ as long as they manage to avoid a parallel currency to be used within Zimbabwe.
Up until that happens all the US$ that Zimbabweans send from abroad to support their families will eventually end up in the pockets of those who control the Zim$ supply. In my opinion the JOC effectively holds the entire population hostage and the ransom is paid by diasporans because they have got no choice but to send money so their families won’t starve. The horrible thing is that the more the population suffers the more their relatives abroad send and the richer Mugabes circle gets.
Which is why the regime does not care about inflation or actual agriculture happening on the farms they seized. Who knows may be the farm seizures were actually designed to destroy farming in the first place.
Either way once this horrible business model is destroyed
(heard rumours on the web that Zimbabwe might reduce the Bulawayo-Francistown train service to once a week, presumably so that fewer can spend their US$ in Botswana) they will soon run out of cash.
I could be completely wrong though…
April 24th, 2008 15:03
@ SomeGermanGuy
That is some insightful and concise analysis. Thank you.
It seems hopeless becomes it seems self-balancing. We just have to unbalance it a bit in a way that allows ordinary people to protect themselves.
On we go!
April 24th, 2008 18:33
The only thing we can do is to try and throw the odd spanner into the machine, I guess.
Remember, a few months ago, when Gono threatened to expose the forex dealings of some Ministersand then went quiet?
I think he was merely renegotiating his percentage of the loot.
What would help in my opinion would be if somebody with enough clout (US or preferably the EU) would guarantee adequate supplies of food and medicines to ALL in Zimbabwe as long as Bob goes. I hear more then half of the ZDF soldiers are hiv+; they probably believe that the only chance of access to meds is to keep supporting the current regime. If the lower and middle ranks could be convinced otherwise and that there will be no reprisals I think they would stop supporting the regime quite quickly.
Lastly, any ideas how to stop the chinese from airlifting arms to Zimbabwe?
April 24th, 2008 19:09
@ SomeGermanGuy, do you think they get meds - I doubt they get panadol!
Yes we need ideas. Until then it is case of not allowing them to settle down. A flea bite here and a flea bite there will give them restless nights!
You are very knowledgeable.
April 24th, 2008 19:20
@ Saidia
Mmmm. . . trout for tea from the local river . . . we wish.
Wilf Mbanga is speaking on SWRadioAfrica now saying someone in Parks has blown the whistle - apparently we paid for those weapons with Ivory and we had no CITES certificate - ho ho! No definite proof but more pressure . Francis Nhema, the outgoing Minister of Tourism is the current chairman of CITES ho, ho, ho.
Apparently we know the weight of the stockpile and if any is missing!!!
On talking to Chinese officials and bloggers, they are outraged that the US put pressure on them. I have made the remark that we don’t care whether the bullet says “Made in China” or “Made in USA”. But it is a matter of ‘face’. It comes over to us as sulking and self-focus because we haven’t grown up with the idea. Maybe Beng can advise.
And nobody knows where that ship is or more importantly where the arms are.
It may be slower for a while but it is matter of building up so we can strike quickly when we need to !
So good to be working with you all.
April 24th, 2008 19:24
Some more good news to hopefully chear you up in your time of pain.
The USA has now decided this evening to put forward an agreement for an embargo on arms to Zimbabwe along with Britain. I know this is likely to not take place until early next week but it might put extra pressure on Mugabe.
@ SomeGermanGuy, if you think the next flea bite as scotchcart says could be offering medical supplies I would be interested how we could do this?
I am thinking that through this blog we could set up a false offer of medical support and send the emails only to Government insiders and advisers in Zimbabwe. In this way they would be duped into thinking that there is going to be a medical supply chain for those apposed to Mugabe.
The only problem I have with this sting operation is that the general public in Zimbabwe get to hear about this sting and it gives them all false hope which would be even more diasterous that the situation is already.
Sokwanele, what is your view of this approach? You’re on the inside and have all the cards in your hand from various sources on this blog?
April 24th, 2008 19:53
@scotchcart
No, I don’t think they getting anything at the moment and I suspect they won’t ever!
But I heard that they were promised the opportunity to purchase ARVs when they signed up. All thats required is that they believe Mugabes propaganda.
@Saidia
I do not think a sting like you suggest would be a good idea at all! From a humanitarian point of view that would be evil
and I refuse to lower my own standards to that of Bob&Co.
Secondly, if it were to leak there would be no way to oust Mugabe until there is no one left to fight.
Thirdly, friendly armed forces are needed to deal with the inevitable small groups of thugs who will never give up.
Remember what happened in Iraq!
Fourthly, it is always nice to be able to justifiably claim the moral high ground.
Vengeance doesn’t help anybody!
JOC members and their cronies should be hauled before a suitable court for crimes against humanity for sure. But when it boils down to it the rest are just misguided fools.
April 24th, 2008 20:35
SomeGermanGuy,
I understand your morality in not allowing yourself be be so low but if you read some of the threads about the arms shipment arriving in Angola by Friday (tomorrow midday) you should start being afraid again, very afraid.
There are many of us on this blog that have experienced evil at first hand. I was unfortunate enough to lose all when Idi Amin threw us off the farm in Uganda in only 4 hours and all the staff were murdered in front of me.
Pleasantaries of life are for those with their heads in the clouds!
We must make use of all the contacts from this blog to stop the ship docking in Angola. Has someone got access past the ID code of Lloyds to establish were the ship is now. I bet the US has got some intelligence? I hear on the news this evening that George Bush has teamed up with Gordon Brown to try for an arms embargo.
I only hope it will not be to late.
April 24th, 2008 21:17
SHIFTED ATTENTION!!
Hi Sokwanele….
In as much as the ship issue is of paramount importance in the current Zim situation, we should not shift our attention from THE REAL ISSUE.. ie election results. I believe we need to lobby for the release of these reswults in the same manner people managed to block the Chinese ship.. ZANU Pf is happy with the current situation because we have shifted focus and concentrated on other issues.. Can anyone suggest a strategy
April 24th, 2008 21:26
Saidia,
I already am very afraid, my wife has family in Zimbabwe!
But I would rather go down there and fight myself then to resort to such dangerous and unethical manouverings.
And even if I could put my ethics aside the danger of leaks would be just too great. In the eyes of the common soldier eyes that would confirm all of Mugabes propaganda and they would maim, torture and kill to the very end giving 110%!
If the Americans can be bothered to look I’d say they know exactly where the ship is. Beijing claims to have recalled it.
April 25th, 2008 03:13
If anyone is interested in the contents of the ship and what else they have in their weapons stockpile….[link removed]..Anyway @ Scotch Cart The Angolans placed on standby are a unit called PIR (Rapid Intervention Police…Policia de Intervencao Rapida) a para military counter insurgency force created during the war with Unita…approx 3000 strong, they were mentioned in 2007 as well. Anyway they were active in clearing poor people from the shanty towns around Luanda and other areas some years back and have quite a fearsome reputation in Angola (Amnesty International complained about their methods). As for the other information you asked for… the more detailed answers are as I stated going on the blog.
April 25th, 2008 10:51
@ All
No disrespect but I have to laugh…You really cant buy the level of wrong headedness exhibited in certain quarters of this struggle.
Merely because some people want to hold unrealistic utpoian idealism as more important than actual harsh reality on planet earth.
After days of hard work and media hype and self congratulation over what was considered a ‘people power’victory regarding the weapons ship…things have gone back to normal and it seems Uncle Bob will get his weapons after all. Aluta Continua Military state.
As requested certian information relating to the issue of the military build up was placed on a link for site contributors to view… Information REQUESTED …not forced on anyone…the link was removed…NOT by ZANU PF but by Sokwanele Admin.
The objective evidence says…people are applying pacifist idealism in a wrong and infelexible way… its a rigidity that costs lives…For the sake of nice yet individualistic and unrealistic belief …you say you wont personally step in to stop an attacker… so the helpless victim being attacked does what exactly????
Dies happy that you witnessed their violent death with your utopian principles intact.
A sheep-dog isnt a wolf…and the samaritan that stops the rape isnt the same as the rapist.
Sometimes Sokwanele its good to be open to ALL ideas no matter how bad they seem on the surface …its called …pluralism and democracy…People here asked for the information so please allow it.
[...link deleted ]
April 25th, 2008 11:18
Anon: the link you keep providing is to a site that claims to provide an alternative to non violent action, to function as a network for militants, to source finances and resources to support those objectives.
Sokwanele will not be linked, even implicitly, to such an initiative.
Further, the site has five entries in total and was started in April.
For all we know, you (Anon) could be Zanu PF troll trying to force a link from our site to those objectives so the state controlled media can point to it and crow to the Zimbabwean public that our group is really supporting military efforts to overthow the regime.
So, if you are a zpf CIO, can I just advise you to give it up, it won’t happen. I also want to invite you to keep reading this blog so you can see the wealth of worldwide support for freedom and non violence. And to invite you to leave the party of terror and join us - please cross over, you are very welcome my brother. (I cyber-offer you my hand to shake it in friendship)
We are a non violent organisation and we are very clear about our moderation policies. Our site will never be used as a launch pad to things we do not believe in.
If people want to find your site, they can, as per their free democratic right in the openly accessible information world of google, use salient keywords in line with their interests and find it under their own steam.
April 25th, 2008 11:46
@ anon
Develop your site as a hub for what you want to do! And be the bridge between the two sites!
You can play a big role making available the detail on the military information.
Some strategic information will also be cool - think maps.
But I must counsel you again. I don’t know who you are (and we musnt’t tell each other who we are). But for all I know you could be my nephew or the son of a dear friend.
You can use the internet to study military matters but you cannot use it to mobilize. In military matters, talking about doing it is deemed as doing it and the powers of the country you are in have the power to arrest you and keep you inside without charge for a long time. When you are really lucky, they put you on a plane to uncle bob or send you to guatanamo. If you insist on putting your liberty at risk, we will not help you or enable you to jeopardise the freedom of others. Now don’t get mad, think. You obviously have access to information. Go ask a law student,
There are Zimbabweans who are military experts who write ‘temperately’ on the web. Follow their lead and seek to study under them. Alternatively, depending on your citizenship status, join up somewhere and get the experience you want. Some people like being in the army - different strokes!
You may say I am being patronizing - that’s OK. I am going to say this anyway. One of the features of Zimbabwe that I value most is that people don’t stop to ask is this my child? We ask is this a Zimbabwean child. I was your age in the last war and I had plenty of people take me aside from time to time and suggest a different path. I value that and make my watchword to do the same for the next generation.
It is not that your views are wrong. It is just that you are wasting time trying to persuade us when you need to be conversing - see what we have in common and what we do not. Where we have something in common we can act together. Where we do not, we act with others. That is the nature of realpolitik.
We are with you because you are ours but we you too must be with us because we are yours. Show us respect by acknowledging our point of view and saying yes and i can help you here, here and here.
Good weekend. And we love you. Watch that ship! We may need to call on you soon for information about military things.
April 25th, 2008 11:54
@ Sokwanele
Sorry I should have read on before I replied. i don’t want interfere with the policies on your site!
April 25th, 2008 12:10
There was nothing you said that interfered with our polices. It’s very simple: if the comment submitted contravenes them, it is edited to retain as much as possible - we always indicate when content has been removed - or it is simply deleted.
We regularly delete extreme racism, homophobic comments, immense expressions of violence and the occassional threat to our safety.
We do value thoughts and ideas and conversation - there are lines to be drawn.
To sum up: the Pope can’t reasonably go into a synagogue and demand the Rabbi says mass. Neh?
April 25th, 2008 12:31
@ anon
you say: ‘A sheep-dog isnt a wolf…and the samaritan that stops the rape isnt the same as the rapist.’ BUT what you are suggesting is to reply in kind i.e. the ’samaritan’ who rapes the rapist? are you saying that’s fine?
April 25th, 2008 14:33
[...] again. After all, Angolan troops are allegedly ready for deployment to fight on his behalf. And Sokwanele’s blog has revealed that young men are being armed with AK47s; with a so-called war vet being quoted as [...]
April 25th, 2008 14:48
@ Replies
Thank you for the responses.
As they were so varied in their content I shall try and be as concise as possible.
Sokwanele…Sometimes the hardest part of a journey is admittng that the road you have chosen wont get you to your intended destintion…To disagree is one thing but to play the …”you might be CIO, ZANU etc” is a cheap shot. Its understandable that when you are faced with a debate you cant win you throw a few shots below the belt but save your upset for the real enemy. The sad fact of the case is that angry people who I call ‘militants’ exist (or is it because you say their views are only worthy of being deleted they dont exist???even though censorship is what killed Socrates when he told too much truth to the Athenians)…There are people who are angry you erase their views I create a port of call where their views can be gathered and in some extreme cases also moderated.
They are the very same ‘activists’ you laud so much taken to the next level. A level where circumstances in Zimbabwe get so bad that people take to the streets, unskilled, untrained and inexperienced to face men with guns. Just like Burma, Tibet and 1989 in China when the students and democrats were massacred…
Unfortunately for the people in Zimbabwe…who really just want all this ended… the utopian principles you espouse are an encouragement to the facists and the bullies NOT A STOP.
Thats the ugly truth of the real world we live in, the real power never seems to go the other way just because people ask nicely.
@Scotch Cart
I have considered our first encounter and indeed you were a bit off key with my intentions but you make sense …I see two paths… for some people this is activism, for others its a resistance movement. There is no reason why the two cant co exist.
10 years saying ENOUGH is ENOUGH is a long time,whithout questionning the effectiveness of ones methods.
The point is to work together as you say, but the truth is that history was changed by rule breakers as much as it was changed by rule followers.
The nature of this issue is that its not a game, you cant wound a beast like Zanu PF with activism alone and think you’ve ever done enough. Indeed those people you recommomend will be sought, but the truth of fighting fascism and tyranny is that you have to fight it …those people that risked their necks hoping voting and words like ‘change’ and ‘democracy’ and ‘international support’ would save them know what that means.
As a half way house I endorse your proposal a link website where all all links are allowed. One that Sokwanele will allow…that has access to other things as well.
@BM
I laughed at what you wrote dont answer common sense with obviously obtuse points…You are functionally literate and able to reason without twisting a simple idea into a nonsensical extreme….
April 25th, 2008 15:00
What is anon goin’ on an’ on about - all this stuff about sheep dogs raping wolves…
The horizon he’s looking for to ride gloriously over with six-guns blazing is not in Zimbabwe. I suggest he goes out and rents a DVD like ‘A Bridge Too Far’, and spare civilized people his convoluted logic.
April 25th, 2008 15:02
Arms: VOA By Tendai Maphosa, London, 24 April 2008
“Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa’s ruling party, says the situation in Zimbabwe has not reached the stage where an international arms embargo is necessary. This contradicts the British prime minister’s call for an arms embargo on Zimbabwe. ”
Could this be: (1) because the SA Minister of Foreign Affairs is on an 8-day visit to China right now? (2) South Africa sells arms to Mugabe and has done for many years?
Ideas for action needed…
April 25th, 2008 15:21
Anon - to clarify: Groups in Zim are regularly on the receiving end of exactly the sort of dirty-tricks outlined above. That was a genuine risk outlined.
As to the argument - there is none. You must go for it: if there is an appetite for what you want to write or talk about then your audience will find you.
April 25th, 2008 16:15
Yup, Zuma said arms embargo not required…yet. Which leads me to something I’ve been trying to rationalize for some time. During Desert Storm there was talk along the lines of acceptable casualties. In another unrelated case - following a botched hostage rescue where the world press reported high casualties, the Russians were quick to counter that it wasn’t as bad as all that - there were in fact less deaths than reported. Then we got Mbeki of ‘no crisis’ fame. Can someone enlighten me how many deaths, either through orchestrated violence by ZPF, or through starvation caused by ZPF negligence are ‘acceptable’ At what point does the UN or the AU decide that there’s has been one death too many? When does politcal expediency and fear of rattling another politicians cage take second place to human rights?
I’m all for a monitoring force to be put in place for no other reason than restoring electoral equilibrium. With so many people leaving their voting constituencies any plans for further elections are clearly faulted on this score alone. With there being no apparent concern about violence in Zimbabwe, peace keepers/monitors, call them what you will,can surely leave their guns at home. Or do I hear sharp intakes of breath at the suggestion. What country, it may be asked would dare place it’s security forces unarmed into a dangerous situation. Are Zimbabwean civilians less important than international soldiers? Does the reluctance to put monitors into place actually mean that it is acknowledged that there is a violent and dangerous situation in Zimbabwe?
Whilst I may be guilty in the above of gerrymandering (to coin a topical phrase) my argument, it does not change the fact that Mugabe has blood on his hands and it’s dripping onto those at the UN, AU and SADC.
April 25th, 2008 16:27
@ Malcolm
The point is to do work…nothing more…I could ask you if you are civilised or even know what to be civil means but..that would either be disrespectful or asking too much.
@ Sokwanele
As Scotch Cart rightly put it…We are part of the same community…fighting for the same thing in different ways so though I may differ on an aspect of points that doesnt mean the work you do isnt respected…
I would ask though that rather than just delete those angry peoples emails you let that audience know know that a more appropriate outlet exists.
April 25th, 2008 16:35
The latest news here in the UK is that the shipment of arms has been recalled back to China and is allegedly somewhere south of the Cape at present.
It is all very confusing as to the exact location of this ship - has anyone got the latest from the Lloyds Reports or elsewhere?- with so much useful information comming in to this blog - good on you all at sokwanele for instigating such a brilliant communication process.
I know I feel the frustration of being unable to give physical assistance and support to those in need in Zimbabwe right now - but I am prepared to give as much time as possible to the emails and communications that have come from this blog.
The latest this afternoon is a call by the British PM (our mate useless Brown) is for the results to be made know by this weekend (as if Mugabe is going to take any notice of him anyway). Is this likely or even possible in Zimbabwe today?
I know I have been concentrating on the arms shipment issue over the last few days and not been aware of any of Sokwanele’s Tibet issues. Is this still on your radar or have you got enough going on already?
April 25th, 2008 17:42
Locals defend themselves against Mugabe’s militia . and killers identified
HARARE - Reports from the rest of the provinces paint a bloodcurdling picture. Army barracks across the country are issuing war veterans and former military/police officers with weapons (AK 47 assault rifles). The official line is that they need to protect themselves against anticipated attacks by the MDC and its foreign supporters, particularly on former white-owned farms. But the real intention is to use the weapons against opposition supporters in the rural areas. The issuing of weapons began 24 April.
Meanwhile, the killers of MDC supporter Tapiwa Mbwanda in Hurungwe East have been identified as ZNA Private Madamombe and one Jawet Kazangarare, a Zanu
(PF) militiaman. It is suspected that the police are reluctant to take action against the two.
MDC supporters in Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces have organised themselves into local defence units to fight back violence and intimidation by war veterans, military personnel and Zanu (PF) militia. Yesterday, 24 April, there were fierce battles in the village of Makaha in Mutoko/Mudzi, Mashonaland East as MDC supporters repelled an attack by Zanu. Reports are still coming in but indications are that Zanu militiamen were badly mauled.
Wilf Mbanga
The Zimbabwean
P O Box 248 Hythe SO45 4WX, UK
Tel/fax +44 (0)2380 845 271
Mobile - +44 (0)7963963547
email: mbanga@thezimbabwean.co.uk
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
April 25th, 2008 18:53
Quoting anon: “I would ask though that rather than just delete those angry peoples emails you let that audience know know that a more appropriate outlet exists”
Hey Sokwanele …. I have a great site too where I sell viagra, please can you send your traffic to my site because I’m lazy-ass and can’t be bothered developing my own reputation and I see no reason why I shouldn’t leach off your traffic …
Anon: are you for real?! Please do your website promotion elsewhere.
April 25th, 2008 21:07
[...] again. After all, Angolan troops are allegedly ready for deployment to fight on his behalf. And Sokwanele’s blog has revealed that young men are being armed with AK47s; with a so-called war vet being quoted as [...]
April 25th, 2008 22:07
@ Getting bored
Its called agreeing to disagree, if the traffic is unwanted and deemed inappropriate on this site better it reaches a place where its not considered such.
Unlike some people on the periphery of the discussion, the aim isnt to operate at the level of school children its to defeat the regime…
Unless of course your doing that single handed while selling and chewing on your Viagra.
Please try and be productive…As we all contribute in our way…and this isnt about reputations or website hits as all of us exist in this work only so long as the situation exists.
thank you.
April 26th, 2008 00:05
@anon
Alec futé.
April 26th, 2008 21:17
[...] are going back to war: The same person who sent us this message also advised us that someone he knows in the Macheke area [...]
April 27th, 2008 16:03
[...] again. After all, Angolan troops are allegedly ready for deployment to fight on his behalf. And Sokwanele’s blog has revealed that young men are being armed with AK47s; with a so-called war vet being quoted as [...]
April 28th, 2008 17:38
[...] are going back to war: The same person who sent us this message also advised us that someone he knows in the Macheke area [...]