Links ~ 20 May 2008
MDC say SADC working on ‘safe passage’ for Tsvangirai to return home (SWRA)
MDC spokesman George Sibotshiwe says that The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is making every effort to ensure the safety of MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and to speed his return to Zimbabwe. SADC is in the process of implementing a plan, which would ensure Tsvangirai’s safe return and enable him to start his campaign for the run-off for the presidential poll. Sibotshiwe said that insinuations that Tsvangirai’s credibility is at stake because he did not return or that his chances of winning the poll would lessen, shows a lack of comprehension for the political terrain in Zimbabwe. ‘He has done the right thing to make sure he’s protected to complete the struggle, so that people in Zimbabwe will be freed from this tyranny.’
MDC say 43 killed in worsening political violence (SWRA)
The MDC have said that 43 activists have now been killed in the escalating violence in Zimbabwe. Two decomposed bodies have been found in a village near Goromonzi, near Harare. The identity of the two bodies is yet to be confirmed and the MDC has dispatched a team to verify the identities. Both the bodies had gunshot and knife wounds. There is also much concern for the safety of Tonderai Ndira who was abducted from his home, by heavily armed police, last Wednesday. The Zimbabwe Liberators Platform (ZLP) has condemned the “systematic reign of terror unleashed by Zanu-PF on innocent children, women and men in rural areas across Zimbabwe.’
Pahad rubbishes Zim information (IOL)
South Africa – Deputy foreign affairs minister Aziz Pahad has accused the international and South African media of generating fabricated information regarding the situation in Zimbabwe.
Pahad referred to latest allegations made about the shipment of arms and of rumours that President Mbeki was in some way related to Robert Mugabe. He also stated that the South African government had received no evidence with regard to an assassination plot against MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai assassination plot is real (The Zimbabwean)
Tafadzwa Musekiwa analyses the political situation in Zimbabwe and the alleged assassination plot against the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Tracing only some of the arrests, beatings, times spend in jail and at one time even facing the death sentence, Tsvangirai has faced every adversity with characteristic tenacity. He concludes that if Tsvangirai was lily livered in any way, he would have opted out from politics as early as 2001.Tsvangirai having officially won the majority in parliament is now in the strongest political position ever, he will not surrender that position lightly. If the security concerns are not addressed before Tsvangirai’s return to Zimbabwe, it may well lead to tragedy. Should there be any successful assassination, it would a devastating blow for the struggle for a New Zimbabwe and it would take many years to recover from such a setback.
Zimbabwe youth depressed by political violence (zimbabwejournalists.com)
The Youth Forum (Youth) in Zimbabwe is shocked by the cold-blooded murder of two prominent MDC activists Musoia Kauzani and Beta Chokururama, by Zanu-PF militia in Murewa. Both of the activists were active members of the Youth Forum. The Youth is also concerned about the abduction of Tonderai Ndira, who was a youth activist based in Mabvuku. They say that they have witnessed gross violations of human rights on a daily basis; despite that, people such as Mbeki say that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe. Young people question Mbeki’s integrity when he chooses to ignore the plight of his neighbours. The Youth encourages young people to be strong and not to lose hope since it is the last kicks of a dying regime. They strongly condemn the violence perpetrated by Zanu-PF.
MDC gives humanitarian assistance to Zims in SA (The Zimbabwean)
The MDC has secured humanitarian assistance in South Africa for Zimbabweans fleeing violence in the Zimbabwe and for those who fell victim to xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Tendai Biti secretary general of the MDC said that they were concerned that Zimbabweans had to face such traumatic experiences. “Our party believes in the promotion of human life, we also believe that all Zimbabweans and indeed humanity deserves protection and our belief has forced the party to offer temporary accommodation in Johannesburg, Musina and Pretoria,” said Biti. He added that assistance will be given irrespective of political allegiance. Some of the victims of xenophobic attacks are well-known Zanu-PF supporters, but lending assistance was part of the healing process. “We are assisting MDC members; we are also assisting ZANU PF supporters. This is in line with our mandate of government of national healing as we believe that differences in political ideologies should not supersede our respect for human life,” added Biti.
Zimbabwe - The Price of Tyranny (mensnewsdaily.com)
Eddie Cross takes a closer look at the financial and economic losses under Mugabe’s rule, with GDP at US$4 billion, exports around US$1,5 billion and a national debt of over US$8 billion. International aid, in the form of grants comes to US$600 million per year. The total losses of the country over a period of 10 years would exceed US$100 billion! Cross argues that in some countries control of the Reserve Bank and the State signifies an opportunity to plunder both for the benefit of a small minority. He strongly suspects that in Zimbabwe the vaults of the Reserve Bank will soon be empty.
Zimbabwe Government Rejects Opposition Assassination Plot Claims (VOA News)
Zanu-PF says that the MDC allegations of an assassination plot ahead of the run-off is irresponsible. Zanu-PF believes that it is a ploy on the part of the MDC to force them (Zanu-PF) to invite international observers from ‘enemy’ states. John Makumbe, a political science professor at the University of Zimbabwe told the media that the MDC’s claim of an assassination plot is credible. Makumbe says that with the widespread violence in the country it would be very easy for the military - who are in fact running the country - to assassinate Tsvangirai as soon as he sets a foot in the country. Tsvangirai has now openly beaten Robert Mugabe and the ZEC has openly published the results and it looks like Tsvangirai is set to win the run-off…to prevent that, they would definitely like to assassinate Morgan Tsvangirai. Makumbe advises that the MDC ask for more international poll observers, from the SADC, the African Union, and the United Nations. If the violence can be stopped, only then will it be safe for Tsvangirai to return.
A national disgrace (IOL)
South Africa – There is growing concern over xenophobic attacks in certain areas of Gauteng (South Africa). The attacks have left in its wake 22 people dead and more than 10 000 people displaced and having to seek refuge in shelters. President Thabo Mbeki has made a call for the attacks to be stopped as nothing can justify it. He said that law enforcement agencies would respond with the requisite measures against anyone who are involved with the attacks. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the ANC national working committee, the Western Cape branch of Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and opposition parties have all condemned the violence.
Zimbabwe: Our Winter of Discontent (Zimbabwe Standard)
Alex T Magaisa explores the legal morass that Zanu-PF has created over the years. In the aftermath of the 29 March elections, they have outdone themselves in the manipulation of Law to serve their own ends. However, in the end they may have become bogged down in the very morass that they have created. Magaisa looks at Zanu-PF’s post-election manoeuvres from a legal perspective and gives insight as to what may be expected ahead of the run-off.
U.S. Ambassador To Harare Vows To Continue Speaking Out On Violence (VOA News)
Despite the diplomatic warning issued to US Ambassador James McGee, he said that he would not stop to speak out on violence in Zimbabwe. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi foreign minister of Zimbabwe said in the state-run media that McGee was “dressed down” over his actions, which is deemed violations of the diplomatic protocols and procedures. McGee and several other diplomats were harassed by police and central intelligence officials when they went on a fact-finding mission to two hospitals and a so-called “command centre” in Mvurwe, Mashonaland Central.
13,000 displaced by SAfrica mobs as Mbeki urges calm (ReliefWeb)
The UN said on Tuesday that xenophobic attacks has now displaced 13 000 foreigners in South Africa. There have been calls for the army to be sent in as violence escalates. President Thabo Mbeki has called for an immediate end to the “shameful” show of xenophobia. The police have arrested 300 people suspected of instigating violence. Morgan Tsvangirai president of the MDC has condemned the “callous and brutal” violence, which he said underscored the need to resolve the crisis in his homeland. “The violence suffered by Zimbabweans is even more appalling when we remember that these refugees are not here out of choice, but instead are already victims of violence and economic hardship inflicted upon them by the Mugabe regime,” said Tsvangirai.
May 21st, 2008 17:55
TSVANGIRAI BETRAYING US
I am a strong advocate for change but lets face the truth here. Tsvangirai has betrayed us. Where is he now when we need him most. ZANU PF will not plan to kill him at this point because they know they will solely be blamed for it. He is taking us for granted. He should know that people want ANYTHING which is not ZANU PF/Mugabe but not necessarily him. He is not showing any leadership credentials. Mugabe has failed to rule Zimbabwe and Tsvangirai instead of facing the situation on the ground were his supporters are continuously being killed, he chooses to gallivant the whole world..
May 21st, 2008 19:08
Fourth, I think I understand your point as an emotional position but I do not agree with it on the facts. Assassination of Tsvangirai at this point would be completely disastrous and there can be no doubt that the Mugabe/Military regime would find a way to avoid direct responsibility, after all that is what they do best. Someone will be dragged out and blamed, probably even arrested, but it won’t be the people who ordered the assassination - remember how Chris Hani died? Fascists can always find a useful idiot willing to do the dirty work.
It must be very hard for MDC in the country to lead the people, but there are so many passionate, creative, brilliant activists and experienced leaders, I am sure they will make a way wherever they can. All around the world people are willing to help, they are not alone. Meanwhile, Tsvangirai outside Zimbabwe is a total embarrassment to SADC and the one trump card the MDC has to put pressure on SA or SADC to stop the violence. Once in Mugabe’s Gulag, he disappears from view since there is no free press in Zimbabwe.
He is the Opposition candidate, no one else, on 27th of June we want to bury Mugabe, not Tsvangirai! On the other hand, the active involvement and higher profile of local MDC leaders during this time may help to prevent a later ZANU-fication of the MDC whereby Tsvangirai becomes the object of hero worship, gets too big for his boots, and ends up being little better than Mugabe. Tsvangirai’s history shows that he can be egocentric and divisive, and if right now he can’t afford that attitude, so much the better. Zimbabwe may become the first country in Africa fully to experience “grassroots” democracy (we certainly do not have that here in SA).
May 21st, 2008 20:26
@ Sally D
I am simply pointing out the facts here. People no longer want Mugabe. Thats the main reason why people are voting him out. Now Tsvangirai is taking advantage of that obvious fact simply because people are fed up of Mugabe. The issue i am raising here is that people are rallying behind Tsvangirai simply because they see him as a likely candidate to oust Mugabe. Its not because he is a good leader. How can a leader of his own people go into self exile for 5 weeks. We are just 4 weeks from electing a ghost leader. The mistake that most people make is being partisan. Never allow politicians (Tsvangirai & Mugabe) to give you stupid excuses for their misconduct. ZANU followers for all along thought whatever is being said by Mugabe isok until recently when they realized they were being fooled by Mugabe. Tsvangirai is now also behaving in a similar manner simply because he knows their are many MDC supporters who will take whatever he says to be ok. A loving father can only go out of the house to seek help and IMMEDIATELY come back lest all his kids perish whilst he is out..
May 21st, 2008 21:46
@4th Chimurenga
I appreciate your frustrations and I agree people need to be critical and raise issues with the MDC not follow blindly. I however feel that the MDC leadership also needs to take into account all the risks and takes these seriously. This in my opinion does not in an way deflect attention from the real issues and suffering that the ordinary Zimbabwean is going through. My greatest worry with the MDC as with most of us Zimbabweans has been our naivety as to the lengths ZANU PF will go to stay in power. This has led us to go into each election with little or no scenario planning leaving ZANU PF to continously call the shots and direct the political discourse in their favour. We need to learn from this last election. For example if ZANU PF refuse to abide by the run off results what then, or even what if they sufficiently rig what then? We can be as positive as we choose to be and assume the runoff will go the same way as March 29 but Mugabe is a proper come back kid and ZANU PF has already strategized.
May 21st, 2008 21:52
@4th Chim.
I agree with Sally D (a good post incidently).
Morgan, I understand, would have been back if the very real assassination threat hadn’t materialized. There’s plenty of time for campaigning though, as the run-off is still five weeks away.
May 22nd, 2008 00:43
4th chimurenga you sound to be zanu pf to me. the writing is clear on the wall, that zanu pf is desperate to cling to power no matter the cost theire worst enemy to eliminate given achance right now is morgan tsvangirayi. they is absolute no need for tsvangirayi to be in zimbabwe now because he returns home that will be the end of mdc.
May 22nd, 2008 13:34
To Morgan and the MDC,
You have the parliamentry majority.
You have the lead in the presidential vote.
You have the support of the people of Zimbabwe and the free world.
You have the ‘right’ to govern
Don’t wait for Mugabe and the criminal factions in Zanu-PF to invite observers for the run-off, no criminals are going to invite the police to observe their crimes being perpetrated.
Invite the intervention of a multinational peackeeping/policing/observer force from UN, AU, EU, SADC immediatly you have the mandate. Do it now for the good of the people of Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa. Make it happen, please stop the suffering.
May 22nd, 2008 15:14
@ DG I don’t see what a observer force will achieve,more than likely turn a blind eye as was done in the 1980 election. But I Hope that will not be the case.
May 22nd, 2008 17:29
@ Hlomani
It amazes me that people become so passive and easily brainwashed by most politician’s propaganda. I am neither ZANU nor am i MDC. I am just an advocate for change in Zimbabwe. This change can possibly be brought by MDC. What i am against is a sitiution whereby Tvsangirai takes advantage of the fact that people are desparate for change so they will support whatever he says. This is not tolerable. He should immediately go back to Zim and address his supporters and stop fooling us with lies of a plot of assasination… In the event that its true, then how long will he stay out of the country? We need to finish off ZANU PF once and for all. Ubona ngani mina ngangayimela iZANU na? I ZANU isiyehlulekile. Sesifuna abanye abancono mfethu.
May 22nd, 2008 18:27
@ Anonymous
You really doubt that ZANU PF is capable of assasination? I can understand frustrations but lest we forget the bigger picture we are dealing with real murderers that are capable of anything. While I personally also worry about the vacuum Tsvangirai’s extended absence can/has created I dont doubt that there is a real danger to his life. Give the man some credit.