Morgan Tsvangirai Press Statement: 10 May 2008
Saturday May 10th 2008
On March 29th the people of Zimbabwe won an historic victory.
That historic and resounding victory should have heralded a new and joyful era for all Zimbabweans. Instead Zimbabweans have endured confusion, pain, death and despair as the result of a violent onslaught against the people by Zanu PF.
As is now well documented, my opponent in this race has decided to turn his thugs on the people. The former liberator has turned his back on the people of Zimbabwe and on the entire continent of Africa.
It is very, very sad for me to call Mugabe a former liberator. It is sad for me to say that he has turned his back on both his people and his continent. Mugabe was once my hero too. Because of his sacrifices, millions of our citizens are well educated and had great opportunities to grow and prosper.
But something happened to Mugabe on our long walk to freedom, something happened that hardened his heart. Something happened that made him abandon the very people he once fought to free.
He has unleashed violence on his own children, the people of Zimbabwe.
And for those carrying out the violence on the ground, the police, the militia, the army and the so called war veterans now is the time to give very serious thought to the implications of further attacks on innocent civilians. You are breaking Zimbabwean and international laws and the whole world is watching.
The time is now for our professional security services to follow their hearts and become professional again, rather than follow a former liberation hero on his path to destruction. You will be in Zimbabwe long after Mugabe is gone.
In view of the unfolding post-election tragedy, the leadership of the MDC, civil society, and all democratic forces have had a very difficult decision to make. We know the betrayal of ballots being followed by bullets. We know that another election may bring more violence, more gloom, more betrayal.
We know there should not be a runoff election – there was only one reason the ZEC announced results before completing verification. We know the verified total would have revealed the full extent of the dictatorship’s defeat – and the full extent of the peoples’ victory.
But we also know a runoff election could finalyl knock-out the dictator for good. A runoff election could be the final round in a very long fight to liberate ourselves from our former liberator.
We know that we have won, but do we nevertheless decide to contest a runoff election to hasten the end of this debacle? Or do we wait and hope for the political environment to improve, for mediation to start, for mediation to end….all the while the people continue to suffer?
I have asked the MDC, civil society and other democratic forces to assess the feeling of the people on the ground. Do they want a runoff election? Will they vote despite the violent attacks? Could they possibly have confidence in the ZEC again?
To be honest, the answers are very mixed. Some report that they believe the people are too afraid to vote, that they are displaced by the destruction of their homes and not even near their polling stations any more. Others point to the fact that the ZEC betrayed them once and will do so again. Others say it is simply not fair to push the people into an election.
I consider all of these valid points of view. No one can dispute that going into an alleged runoff of an election that you have already won – an election controlled by an opponent whose election tactics unapologetically include stealing and killing - is a risky venture indeed.
What matters now is what we, as Zimbabweans, think is the best way to move ourselves out of this crisis. Are we brave enough? Are we strong enough? Are we angry enough?
The overwhelming sentiment that emerged from the people of Zimbabwe is that they are ready for change now, not later. They want a chance for a better life now, and they believe that the MDC can give them that chance. They believe that we as nation are brave enough, we are strong enough and we are angry enough to fight an election once again. We as MDC believe our people would feel betrayed if we shied away from the final knock out. We have lost hundreds of people in the democracy movement since 1999. Their sacrifices must not be in vain. We must fulfill the dreams of our people who have been betrayed and traumatized since March 29th.
The MDC has decided that we will contest the runoff and the people will finally prevail. The people have spoken before, and the people will speak again. I am ready and the people are ready for the final round.
Legally this election should be no later than May 24th, two weeks from today, and that is the date we are preparing for. If Zanu PF and the ZEC hope to retain what little credibility they have left they will abide by the law and declare the Presidential runoff election between today and that date.
Therefore I shall return to Zimbabwe within the next two days.
I shall return to Zimbabwe to begin a Victory Tour. Some might say this term “Victory” is cold and callous given the hardships endured by the people.
But the people are victorious. And they are being punished for their victory. We must free ourselves from those who would steal victory from fellow brothers and sisters by using guns, sticks and screwdrivers.
In the last four weeks many leaders have rallied to the cause of Zimbabwe. To SADC Chairman Mwanamwasa and African Union Chairman Kikwete, and many of your colleagues, I want to say thank you. When Zimbabwe rejoins the family of democratic nations, history will remember what you did for your brave, peace loving African brothers and sisters now living in fear of their own government.
I want to thank the labor unions and Cosatu for refusing to allow the illegitimate regime of Zanu PF to access more weapons for use against its own people.
To Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and others in the international community, we thank you and appreciate all your work. We will continue to count on you, SADC and the AU, to ensure the upcoming runoff is administered fairly, with transparency, neutrality and professionalism.
And finally, I thank the people of Zimbabwe for their courage and devotion to democracy. And I ask them not to lose hope. Together let us finish the job. Together let us have faith that this time, the ballot paper will truly liberate our country.
I thank you
May 10th, 2008 12:55
This is what I have been waiting for!We are winning this election. Bravo President Tsvangirai. Yes the international community should come and observe the election. We have suffered enough now, there is nothing more to be scared of.
We have lost our beloved friends and relative due to the man made economic hardship that prevails in our country-..WE cant stand it any more. Yes the people of Zim, we have to finish it ourselves. God bless you all.
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May 10th, 2008 13:12
A difficult decision to re-enter an unfair competition, but the only choice available. The people have won, they will continue to win and the time of the wicked grows less and less. Strength to all fellow Zimbabweans in these difficult times - not long to go now.
May 10th, 2008 13:45
At the very least we need African Union peacekeepers visible on the ground especially in the rural areas. How else will the ordinary rural folk trust that whoever they vote for, they won’t be punished for it afterwards. They believed once, it will take a serious, committed and visible effort for many people to believe again.
May 10th, 2008 14:29
Zimbabwe is really full of very courageous people. All that place their hopes to a higher power need to continue praying. Mugabe and his cronies are bullies and we all know the psychology of bullies. They really are  cowards who go on the offensive because they know they will loose. Despite all this intimidation I know we will come through
May 10th, 2008 15:04
All sober minded Zimbabweans must view today as a momentous and historic occation. Momentous because the decision means the dictator will not continue in power by default. Histric because maybe, just maybe the people of Zimbabwe will have an opportunity to close one of the saddest chapters in our hitory i.e zanu pf misrule. I salute the gallant and resolute people of Zimbabwe and the resolute and courageous leadership of the MDC. The people of Zimbabwe, victory is certain. Bring on the run-off, but, the wishes of the majority shall prevail.
May 10th, 2008 17:30
Take courage Zimbabwe, rise up and vote this monster out once and for all. I too salute you and know that the people will prevail.  God bless you all.
May 10th, 2008 18:30
We have really been waiting for this news. Mugabe will not sleep tonight because he thought he will be sworn in without another campaign. The VIOLENCE must stop.
May 10th, 2008 20:32
Now is the time for the ‘FINAL PUSH’.
Morgan needs to instill a quiet belief in all of his followers that determine now in your heart who you are going to vote for and fulfill this at ballot time.
The people of Zimbabwe can protect themselves by ‘dancing to the tune’ of the mob but the real music will be played at ballot time.
Mugabe’s defeat will be at ballot time and not before.
Morgan needs to bring the fire back into everyones spirit that they got to get back and vote, this is crucial. Morgans greatest challenge is to get people back to the ballot box. Mugabe does not want the ‘X’ he wants apathy. Mugabe cant win an election when there is a ‘thunderous’ turnout he can only rig an election on an electorate that does not turn up.
Come on Morgan reignite the Passion get people back to the ballot box. Your aim is not to get people to vote for you but getting them to the ballot box.
Pamberi ne ‘FINAL PUSH’
May 10th, 2008 20:40
I would think that Mugabe has spurned the negotiation table and has gone for ‘all or nothing’. When Mugabe loses the run-off SADC and RSA must not come and say “there must be a governmant of national unity”, Mugabe gave that up when he rigged the election to get into a run-off.
What does the MDC do when Mugabe does not lie down - this is going to be MDC biggest challenge. Mugabe is noit going to lie down without a fight.
Mugabe thinks it is his right to rule (not lead) Zimbabwe. It is his prize for the liberation struggle!
How dare someone take what he thinks is ‘fundamentally’ his. He aint going down without a fight.
May 10th, 2008 21:52
MBEKI STILL UNREPENTED
Finally Mbeki has mentioned what he was discussing with MUgabe on Friday. He is satisfied by what Mugabe is doing to “solve the crisis in Zimbabwe” This is what he had to say>>>>>>>Zimbabwean people can solve their own problems and the rest of the world should just assist, said President Thabo Mbeki today. “The solutions to the problems of Zimbabwe rest in the hands of Zimbabweans,” said Mbeki……..
What is being solved by Mugabe. The people of Zim voted Mugabe out but he remains on power. So Mbeki is saying the rest of the world should just assist Mugabe in killing his own people. Mbeki should just shut up on Zim. Just like Mugabe he is also refusing to step down as a mediator.
http://www.sabcnews.co.za/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,169245,00.html
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May 10th, 2008 22:00
Bravo Morgan! A great and statemanlike speech. Now it will be important that when the run-off results are published they are seen to be entirely transparent. No more excuses of discrepancy a la SEC when they were in cahoots with Zanu-PF trying to ’steal the election’. The voting will have to be not only monitored internationally, but also checked all along the counting process. And there is no question that the UN should become involved in the process.
May 10th, 2008 22:19
President Mbeki must me ashamed - if he is man enough! Now that his own have seen and reported to him what is taking place on the ground - thugery, beatings not to mention killings. Surely to come and just sneak out without a word whom does he think he is fooling! Not the world but himself. I have read in other publications the reports by ambassadors who visited those injured in hospital. They make sad reading. If only Mbeki read all this perhaps. MaZimbabwe, lets brace for the real FINAL PUSH. Jongwe ngariwundurwe for the second time. Kasilicutheni iqhude okwesibili.
Indeed Sokwanele!
May 10th, 2008 22:43
This very old United Methodist shona hymn has been playing in my head today
Chinyarara moyo wangu
Harsh my spirit
Jesu ndiye mambo
Jesus is the Lord
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Zviro zvese zviripasi zvakasikwa ndiye
All that’s on earth was he created
Kristu huuyai hunde huuya mambo
Christ please come down, yes come down Lord
A friend sent me a message from Zim today. She has not slept for four days. She is so stressed by all that is going on and was feeling this very strange sense of an impending doom. I told her I thought she was having a panic attack and that she should take a deep breath and leave it all to God. This past month every Zimbabwean I have spoken to has told me how emotionally invested they had been in outcome of this election and all that has been happening and how physically distraught they are feeling due to this protracted madness.
I am not a very good Christian. I don’t go to church often and I don’t always say my prayers and sometimes my faith falters. However this much I know to be true…. there is a higher power out there that always sides with the down trodden. Despite Mugabe’s atrocities, and all that is staked against the forces of good in Zimbabwe, there is a higher power that will reveal its might by coming through for little Samson from Mazoe, the Monroe in Nyamandlovu, the faceless people whose pictures we have seen on this site and who we can only recognise by their wounds, the numerous number of people who have lost loved ones over this long period of Mugabe’s reign, the many men and women who endure indignity doing menial jobs in order to feed their families in  far away places,  the courageous people that run various organisations that have fought for civil liberties and helped the poor when they needed help and the very brave men and women leading people against Mugabe’s regime. God will come through for us. He has to. People have endured enough. Like you say, Sokwanele
May 10th, 2008 23:35
I hope MDC will campaign like never before this time around. I hope they will denounce the fact that they are called puppets of the west by letting people know that Zanu PF are puppets of the devil. Yes, the devil has gotten a hold of all the Zanu PF people and using them to do his dirty work. I hope they realise that soon. MDC should give the people a reason to vote, ie, correct re-distribution of land, government transparency, that Zimbabwe can have the best university in southern africa once again. That there will be freedom of speech, that there will be good education, good trade with the rest of the world. Please MDC give the people a reason to vote, so that all the heroes who have died can be honoured. Reiterate that you are not puppets of the west, that you want to work with all races for the benefit of the future children. GOD Help US.
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May 11th, 2008 04:20
I have been closely following all this, humbly and from afar in Toronto Canada.
We hope that the security, police and army people, persons, individuals, will not participate in any further violence against their own people, their neighbours, their friends, their countrymen.
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May 11th, 2008 04:51
I think the FIFA World Cup angle should be pushed with President Mbeki. If SADC doesn’t do something very positive to help make sure there is a fair run-off election process in Zimbabwe, then there is sure to be increased instability in the region and on his border. FIFA would not be very happy, and imagine the repercussions if that was taken away from South Africa.
May 11th, 2008 07:55
The Adminstrator of the cause on facebook called Remove Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe has given me permission to be an adminstrator I now have access to over 45 000 members there I am trying to get the members to help me set up an international petition to send to the UN AU and SADC to voice those of us who can not vote for whatever reason to put out vote with Morgan….Morgan if you ever read this Sir good luck in ZIM you are a very courageous man I pray for you everyday…. I wish you had delayed the election a little longer then the students would be there to vote with you but we will do what we can here….GO GET HIM TIGER………..
May 11th, 2008 08:21
PS just got a message in that those who can vote and live outside of Zimbabwe want to be able to vote at the embassies can this be done?
May 11th, 2008 08:58
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/votesforzimbabweansawayfromhome/
May 11th, 2008 09:58
We all have to roll up our sleeves and campaign through our social networks, friends, relatives anybody whom you know. Encourage them to go and vote for Tsvangirai. Mugabe anobva chete. Zimbabwe ndeyedu tese. we all fought the war, and we all want a better today and much better future for our children.
May 11th, 2008 10:06
Wonderful news. Let the people of Zimbabwe stand up against all odds and vote this tyrant out for good.People need to stay calm and not fearful. From faraway I say : Come on Zimbos let your voices be heard and unite like never before, the great life of democracy awaits you and only you can do it. Show the world you can do it on your own as a more stronger nation you cannot get.To Morgan I say: go for it and round your people up so they can see you will be there for them.Let fear not deter you from succeeding.We await the day we can celebrate with you.May the Lord keep you all safe.
May 11th, 2008 11:34
Here we go ….  Latest on Mbeki
“The South African Communist Party resolved that they had lost confidence in his leadership of SA, citing a number of issues including Zimbabwe, the SABC debacle and electricity. They want him removed now to avoid plunging the country into further crisis.”
read the rest here:
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2320256,00.html
May 11th, 2008 17:11
Mr Mbeki, feels that “they” should respect African leaders more. Who are “they” - the West? What about his own people - most seem to think he has done a pretty bad job as mediator.
There are plenty African leaders who are respected well enough, thank you very much!
Morgan Tsvangarai might give him a few tips re leadership. On his own turf, a chat to Nelson Mandela and others wouldn’t do any harm, even Jacob Zuma. If Mbeki or Mugabe are not well respected - they can hardly blame it on the West, or anybody for that matter.
It will be best for everybody, if those - who are ineffective - get out of the way, we have work to do. Â
People from all over the world, from all races, have given their support here. Mark my words, they will double their efforts to assist the Zimbabwean people. Because, we respect each other, we listen and we know when there is a crisis and then we do something.
So…
We have a job to do and we are going to get this job done! Viva!
May 11th, 2008 20:48
Hey Tara as I say to my kids RESPECT IS EARNT BY OUR ACTIONS…….please to tell you that the petition I have started has 180 signatures and on a glourious Sunny day here in the UK I would say that is fairly good….My apologies if there is some spam abuse that comes up on the petition but am keeping a watchfull eye on it and reporting to the website owner….. WIth the will of the people with God guiding us we will win this one………
May 12th, 2008 11:23
@Mama,  we’ll have our work cut out for us to keep up with you! Good work and our prayers are with you too.
May 12th, 2008 14:05
Article 73 of the Charter of the United Nations
states:-
Members of the UN…recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount, and accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost…the well-being of the inhabitants og these territories, and to this end:
a) To ensure…their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses;
b) To develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the development of their free political institutions…
The email address for the Zimbabwe Mission to the UN is: zimbabwe@un.int
May 12th, 2008 15:28
I beg to differ whether petitions or protests will have any impact to the situation in Zimbabwe.
I do however appreciate your thoughtfullness and energy to raise awareness to the greater population in the country you live in. But is it going to work or have any effectiveness.
Why do I say this?
Mugabe and Zanu PF dont care what the world think any further resistance will reinforce their belief anf they will dig their heels in further. Actually I think Mbeki is doing more than we care to think.
He is the only one outsidee of Zimbabwe who Mugabe will embrace and Mbeki is keeping his line of communication open. If Mbeki denounces Mugabe Mugabe will close doors and anounce to the world who he really is…a dictator.
Then what can we do then….NOTHING!
That Mbeki still has a line of communication with Mugabe is sanitising to all Zimbabweans even though we are not seeing the fruit of Mbeki’s labour. Zimbabweans need to be thankful that Mugabe still embraces Mbeki.
I would hate to think what Mugabe will do if he felt closed to the rest of the world. Mugabe can live in his little cocoon called ‘Zimbabwe’ until he passes and whether we like it or not we have no hope in hell in being able to do anything about it.
We have no power in forcing democratic solutions to a government who dont know how to spell DEMOCRACY
Thank your luck stars that Mbeki can still fly into Zimbabwe.
Remember governments deal in politics and not in dollars and cents…political decisions are not the same as business decisions.
There can be no logic in political outcomes but they can make a hellava sense!!
May 12th, 2008 19:04
I still find it impossible to accept that millions of Zimbabweans are still not being given their democratic right to a postal vote. How can the outcome be identified as democratic in the long-term?  Are any of the MDC conditions for a re-run being observed or is it a free for all?
May 12th, 2008 21:52
@Chinja
I respect your position and it is true that a line of communication has its benefits. However…
when the people in South Africa struggled against apartheid, they too were up against a formidable force. They had petitions and protests, they lobbied for support in Africa, the East and the West. Some were exiles and not only studied overseas, but actively campaigned for the cause in whichever country they resided in.
Today, some of the very people who lobbied for, or made use of international support, are now saying that Zimbabwe should not ask for that kind of support. Does that make sense?
There was an armed struggle, but remember, the kids that went out on the streets to protest, did not have weapons and the women who marched to the Union Buildings did not have weapons…but they did it anyway.
We honour the memory of all those people.
The Zimbabweans who voted against this government will now be perceived as the biggest and most immediate threat. Dictators rarely run for an open door, strangely enough. A dictator does not stand alone, he is kept in that position by others. Even if he dies, there will always be someone to take his place.
I submit to you, that when people come together and stand together in spirit and in mind, it is not such a small thing and anything can become possible.
History has taught us that.
May 13th, 2008 09:41
Hi there
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10/05/08 I started a petition which revolves around this document on page 19
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http://www.idea.int/elections/upload/External_voting_Preview_withlayout_07june06_final.pdf
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of course this document is out of date and it is reported that 5 million Zimbabweans are now in South Africa alone.
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The petition is located here
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http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/votesforzimbabweansawayfromhome/
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If you are interested please could you promote it on your site or send it amongst your contacts and friends….It only been going for 48 hours now and there are already 320 signatures. I truely believe that it is important that we get the UN to understand our position with regards to being unable to vote externally…..
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Ps….Im not a hundred % sure about the website but think it is good if you get any abusive stuff come up please report it you will see the email address at the bottom of the abuse….if you know of a better way of doing this Im open to suggestions…….
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May 13th, 2008 13:14
@ mama, 5/13, 09.41
This business of not allowing Zim ex-patriots to vote is a specific example of election rigging by constitutional means. In February 2002 Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court declared illegal the then new and controversial law which disenfranchised the many Zimbabweans living abroad. This law had been approved by parliament using invalid procedures after the House of Assembly had rejected it, the Supreme Court judges decided.
At the time, the UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said: “The actions of Robert Mugabe are completely undemocratic and wrong and dictatorial.”
May 14th, 2008 15:04
Mugabe only has one solution to the sordid state of the Zimbabwean economy - print more money. The only other dictator who resorted to the massive printing of money was Idi Amin of Uganda. He believed that printing more money was a way of paying off his debts and salary increases. But then Amin did not have a high school education. Today he would be proud to have Mugabe as a faithful disciple. Can’t someone in Mugabe’s regime tip him off that the value of money is based on the wealth a nation creates? You only print more money if you create more wealth.
Apart from regurgitating, like a broken record, the tired old sanctions bogey, Mugabe has never given a credible answer to the question why the economy has collapsed. His irrational behaviour is either bordering on a state of senility, or psychosis. The whole organization of the March 29th elections are a symptom of an irrational mind. First Mugable engaged the MDC in eight months of negotiations only to scuttle the agreements just before elections. Next he created new constituencies and borders, but did not make details of this information public to all stakeholders. He also allowed the use of the shambolic voters roll but refused to allow it to be open for inspection when Parliament was in session. The logical explanation for this type of behaviour is that Mugabe has known all along that he would lose significantly and that he could no longer be confident in his election rigging machinery. In his increasingly senile state he is lashing out at shadows, constantly blaming the MDC and sanctions for his own incompetence. But his biggest fear is yet to come. He does does know when, how many, and who, among his cronies will stab him in the back. The persistant reports that many of his trusted allies are about to jump ship only make him more nervous.
Now, a contrived and tedious run-off is due to be held. When it is over there will be absolutely no doubt that the election will have been rigged if Mugabe even tries to hold on to power. The people will no longer support this and simply bemoan their fate as the result of a further rigged election. It would be a rigging too far. It would be humanely impossible for them to do so. Total collapse of the country would then be so inevitable, and Zimbabweans further suffering so profound, that the mood of final resistance would instantly sweep the minds of the masses, like a hurricane sweeps over the plains. If that day should dawn, the people will rise up and use every means in their power to rid themselves of Mugabe and his minions for ever. When that day dawns there will be no turning back. They will no longer agree to live in a crumbling infrastructure, presided over by a demented 84-year old geriatric whose incompetence and erratic behaviour have wreaked such havoc.
May 14th, 2008 20:31
Stand tall Morgan Tsvangarai! The Presidential Runnoff is a last ditched attempt by a tired old man who will not let go. The people have spoken once but will shout from the rooftops a second time.
We have started http://www.helpsavezimbabwe.org to allow the peoples of the world to show their support for Zimbabweans and petition the UN to ensure future elections are fair and free.Â
Whether you believe petitions work, or not, please take the time to visit the site as the united voice of the peoples can not be ignored by key figures forever. Read the comments and see how passionately the world feels about the plight of Zimbabwe and how they want it stopped now!