THE MBEKI AND SADC POSITION A LOAD OF IRRESPONSIBLE RUBBISH!

Well, Mr Thabo Mbeki, The State President of South Africa has issued a lengthy statement (LINK) where he has shown the whole world where he and SADC stand as far as the Zimbabwean Crisis is concerned.

Firstly, that the Elections were heavily rigged (LINK!!!) is not an issue at all!

Secondly, that thousands of MDC members were physically assasulted and hundreds others murdered by State Agents(LINK!!!) is similarly not an issue at all!

 

Refer also(LINK!!!)

Thirdly, the fact that Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF were discarded by the Electorate BEFORE (NB BEFORE) the Infamous Land Invasions is not a material matter at all to Mbeki and SADC!

Fourthly, the fact that Mr Mugabe has presided over the very ZANU-PF for over 27 years without allowing the very ZANU-PF a chance to elect or re-elect him by the democratic Secret Ballot is completely irrelevant to Mr Thabo Mbeki and the various SADC "Excellencies."

Fifthly, the fact that Mugabe was clearly rejected by the Electorate in the controversial 2002 Presidential Election is not part of substance as far as Thabo Mbeki and SADC are concerned!

Knowing Mr Mugabe as we do, he would have excitedly gone through Tsvangirai's Election Petitions without any delay if he was sure he had won them by any margin!

His only statement at the moment is: "That Election Petition is 'frivolous' and 'vexatious'." What exactly does that mean???

We who were part of the rigging machinery know why and how those Elections were rigged!

I, Rev Mufaro Stig Hove, can give a delailed report of how WE (repeat) WE rigged those Elections.

This brings us to the question of the way forward as far as the Zimbabwean crisis is concerned.

Of major concern is for the "Opposition Forces" to clearly define themselves.

1. What exactly is it that they are opposing? They desperatelt need to clearly define their "bottom line."

 

Is it Robert Mugabe as a person meaning therefore that he must go at all costs regardless of the hurdles that continue to mount including the clear message from Thabo Mbeki and SADC? Please make that absolutely clear so that we who have vowed to support the Democratic Forces can see how we can go forward in support.

2.Can there be some National Vision which accommodates ZANU-PF and Robert Mugabe?

 

I, personally, know that Robert Mugabe's very survival depends on his remaining in that Office (even illegitimately as he is doing at the moment.)

So he has intelligently intertwined his fate with that of millions to completely confuse the original issues.

Some of us need to hear what the general position of the Democratic Forces is.

The whole nation is on its kneesat this very momentas we pursue our various "Quiet Diplomacies" etc!

I shouldn't describe the situation on the ground because any serious person knows that there is no economy to talk about in Zimbabwe at the moment!

The talk by President Mwanawasa that the problems of Zimbabwe are being exaggerated must be swiftly dismissed as coming from a timid lunatic who cannot stand and defend his earlier statement that Zimbabwe was a sinking Titanic!

Mbeki's hope that SADC on its own can rescue Zimbabwe is irresponsible rubbish!

 

Utter deliberate rubbish!

Even mighty South Africa can never close all outside doors and depend on its SADC neighbours only! Why does Mbeki not try it for his country just today??

 

Mbeki thinks their position as SADC is the only "Revolutionary and African" position and all others are mere "sell-outs" etc.

The heavy challenge on the shoulders of the Decratic Forces is to clearly and swiftly dissociate themselves from that dangerous perpective (of being viewed as 'sell-outs'.).

Of course its said 'Politics is a dirty game' but never ever relax when powerful leaders join the despicably evil Robert Mugabe in propagating that stinking propaganda.

The tragedy of the Democratic Forces is that they do not seek the help of serious patriots to assist in the "clearing of the air" as far as their position is concerned.

 

Lets identify each other and close ranks as true patriots and complement each other's efforts to counter the heavy Propaganda of Mugabe now joined clearly by Mbeki and Company! 

The Democratic Forces have continued doing a pilgrimage to a clear crook called Thabo Mbeki!

What does Mbeki not know about the evils of Robert Mugabe? Refer to my article "Thabo Mbeki's proverbial long rope!" LINK!!!

Mbeki wants us to believe that South Africa will not play the "big brother" yet he completely ignores the cries of the very Zimbabweans when they describe issues that are not related to the land issue! Mbeki pretends to pursue a "Policy of Quiet Diplomacy" yet we who see through the mist see him actively supporting the rejected demagogue.

When did Zimbabweans start complaining about Mugabe encouraging "corruption" among his "chosen few"? Long before Mugabe's decision to pursue the "rectification of the Historical Land Imbalances."

Please kindly read my APPEAL TO ALL JOURNALISTS AND WRITERS! LINK!.

I swear by the Living God that if Mugabe gets the proverbial "last laugh", Tsvangirai etc will spend their lives in exile until that 83 year old demagogue passes away! Wake up Tsvangirai and Company!

 

Don't be naive!

But the consolation is that there is no serious investor that can take any investment to Zimbabwe while Mugabe is anywhere near the corridors of power!

Thabo Mbeki is a depicable crook if he wants us to think that there is an investor (except himself, perhaps) who can take anything to Zimbabwe even if Mugabe won a "free and fair" Election next year.

Even if Tsvangirai went round seeking the world to support the new Mugabe Regime (if there is one in 2008), no sane investor would go to Zimbabwe with investment.

The real tragedy of Zimbabwe is that Robert Mugabe will cling to power at all costs and all black leaders will have to support him or else risk being labelled "sell-outs."

So Thabo and Company think they will label us "sell-outs" and it will stick?

No, you are mentally unwell Thabo son of Govan!

 

If you think sending "millions of rands" to Mugabe is a permanent solution to the Zim crisis, then lunacy is your misguided position.

You will stand by Robert Mugabe through "thick and thin" and that's your decision!

But you will go down in History as having blundered using SA tax-payers' funds to prop up a despicably evil dictator that we, the humble people of Zimbabwe were trying at all costs to remove.

Do you honestly think that I, Rev Mufaro Stig Hove, a black man would refuse 3000 heactres of free prepared land and a farmhouse etc.?

Would I refuse to be part of ZANU-PF and get all the benefits eg businesses seized from white owners etc.?

So am I a "sell-out" because I say Mugabe has assassinated all his contemporaries since before Independence?

Am I a "sell-out" because I say Mugabe, Munangagwa etc got unfair benefit from the mineral resources in the DRC?

Am I a "sell-out" because I say Mugabe is a dictator who has never allowed even a simple secret ballot even in the private Politburo Meetings?

Mr Mbeki do you not know or you do not want to know?

Even if the Economy of Zimbabwe were returned to a "zero" inflation and there was prosperity such that there is a 100% employment etc., the truth is that Robert Mugabe is still an evil Devil that must go (and you Mr Thabo Mbeki know it very well as well.)

WHO ARE YOU FOOLING?

WHO IS FOOLING-A WHO???

TIME WILL TELL!

Lets keep in touch CDE President.

Yours in the true struggle for a Free Zimbabwe,

Mufaro Stig Hove.....Rev.

(mufarostig@yahoo.co.uk)

Cell: 0791463039 RSA.

 

 

Peace and Tranquility???

Peace and Tranquility???

Time to pursue the politics of engagement!!

LINK!!!!!!!!

 

 

By Lloyd Msipa

Last updated: 08/22/2007 12:00:11

WHILST the just ended SADC summit might have left a lot of people perturbed by the inaction of the regional grouping towards Zimbabwe or President Robert Mugabe in particular, a cursory analysis reveals that a lot more came out of this meeting besides them clapping for Mugabe when he made an entrance

.

Firstly, this is the first in so many years that the regional grouping has stood together as one. Remember the extra ordinary meeting in Tanzania where Zambian President Mwanawasa called Zimbabwe a 'sinking Titanic'? The fact that one of theirs was in trouble, actually and contrary to popular opinion, served to cement their relationship.

In fact the consensus or solidarity displayed at this summit gave birth to a new regional power bloc that seems geared to take on the West. The fact that the report on the negotiating process being spearheaded by Thabo Mbeki placed some of the blame of Zimbabwe's woes on the doorstep of the UK government confirms my assertion that a regional power bloc geared to take on the west has been birthed.

 

In the bigger scheme of things, where does this leave opposition politics in Zimbabwe? Well, I think it is time for the opposition to call a spade a spade and realise that there is two sides to every story. We are all familiar with events and agreements at Lancaster, the willing-seller-willing-buyer agreement and the gentlemen's agreement to have Whitehall finance the land redistribution exercise.

 

The fact that Whitehall proceeded to breach this contract by reneging from it meant that Zimbabwe was equally not bound by the contract. These are basic tenets of contract law.

Let's go back to the opposition parties and evaluate how they fit into this equation. The politics of the opposition in Zimbabwe, beginning as far back as Tekere's ZUM, Dumbutschena's FORUM and to Tsvangirai's MDC have all had one thing in common. The all pursued the politics of confrontation and the opposition today assisted by various civic organisations still pursues the politics of confrontation.

 

Zimbabweans now needs more than ever to adapt the politics of engagement. Clarion calls are sounding far and wide to the effect that only 'Zimbabweans can solve their own problems". Failure by us Zimbabweans to embrace the politics of engagement will see us sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss.

 

Why engagement one might ask? Firstly it is important for Zimbabweans to first and foremost realise that before we are Zanu PF or MDC members, we are Zimbabweans. As Zimbabweans, we need to start talking to one another with no hidden agendas. We need to embrace a new culture that despises double standards. We need to begin our engagement premised on the fact that we are the masters of our destiny and our destiny includes building a better Zimbabwe.

 

The fact that we belong to different political parties must come in second. One needs to ask themselves, 'how did we arrive to where we are today?' I will tell you how. We have failed or neglected to engage one another in the spirit of brotherhood or sisterhood. We are more comfortable bludgeoning each to death hence the blood letting in March 2002.

What are the advantages of engaging one another one might ask? Firstly, we need to accept that people agree and disagree.

 

In fact it is important to agree to disagree as Zimbabweans in order to move forward. When we engage one another as Zimbabweans, we leave very little room for outsiders to run the show on our behalf.

 

Let's look at some historical truths. Zimbabwe is a product of a bitter liberation war where land was the central issue. How is it then that the West never refers to it when discussing Zimbabwe? In fact Zimbabwe is referred to as a gross human rights violator, a country that is being governed illegitimately by a president who was not elected by the people. The issue of how the United Kingdom breached a verbal contract is hardly ever mentioned.

 

It is a fact that President Mugabe is the elected president of Zimbabwe and hence the opposition has to begin by acknowledging this as a gesture of goodwill to engagement. The constant bickering by the opposition over his legitimacy is contradicted by the same Western countries that accommodate ambassadors and diplomats from the so-called "illegal regime".

 

To illustrate my point on confrontation, despite the fact that both MDC's are represented in the Thabo Mbeki initiative, the Tsvangirai faction however saw it fit to send another delegation led by its vice president Thoko Khupe to the SADC summit, confirming my assertion that the Tsvangirai MDC is not comfortable with the politics of engagement. They readily prefer confrontation as their default route to power.

 

The regional power bloc that has developed in southern Africa may potentially spell the end of any opposition political parties that are perceived to be affiliated with Western countries. The fact that the SADC summit agreed to a formation of its own peace-keeping force among other resolutions is evidence of Southern African countries gearing to defend one another.

Southern Africa has decided that Africa is for Africans. The message coming out of SADC is that we are 'our brother's keeper'. They have even requested Whitehall and Washington to drop any form of sanctions directed at Harare. The opposition has to buy into this spirit if we are to redefine our destiny.

 

The decision by Australia and the threats by the United States to deport the children of Zimbabwean officials shows us there is no letting off in this diplomatic war. Things can only get worse and the people on the ground in Zimbabwe will not be better off.

 

To remain relevant in this new scheme of things, the opposition needs to realise that engagement and not confrontation is the only way we can even begin to address the problems of our country. If they carry on down this path, there will be nothing left in Zimbabwe to salvage.

 

If the opposition begin to engage their colleagues in Zimbabwe, this will in turn affect the politics of negotiation between us Zimbabweans. If we succeed in embracing this spirit of engagement amongst ourselves, I believe that it will become necessary for the EU, IMF, World Bank, Whitehall and Washington to also drop their confrontation and embrace dialogue.

 

 

Peace and Tranquility???

Peace and Tranquility???

 Cell in RSA: 0791463039

 

MR B CHAKAODZA'S PERCEPTION OF THE STATE OF THE NATION!!!

We must be afraid, very afraid
National Agenda with Bornwell Chakaodza

LET us be realistic about it all. As the clock ticks towards the harmonised presidential, parliamentary and local government elections next year, what should be deeply worrying is not the collapse of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) as a single and united opposition movement. No. There is a much more important issue that should deeply worry us.

The problem of factionalism in political parties and promoting one's own personal and subjective interests are endemic everywhere. What is of crucial importance for me is creating conditions necessary for a free and fair election in 2008. This is what I see as the greatest challenge facing the MDC and all progressive and democratic forces in Zimbabwe.
The mass of Zimbabweans are not interested in Arthur Mutambara or Morgan Tsvangirai scoring political points or trading insults. Perhaps, Mutambara has nothing else to do except to criticise Tsvangirai — thus playing into the hands of the ruling ZANU PF party. But Mutambara must be told in no uncertain terms that hurling insults at Tsvangirai will not deliver the sort of Zimbabwe that everybody wants. Perhaps Mutambara knows that he has no popular support, that is why he is behaving the way he is behaving.
The truth of the matter is that without insisting on and demanding a level political playing field as a necessary precondition for a free and fair election, no amount of political rallies will make a difference. Opposition parties must therefore grasp this simple but important point.
Opposition parties can launch their presidential and parliamentary campaigns in a month or so but with no appetite on the part of the ruling party to create a democratic environment and conditions necessary for a new beginning, what difference will it make? I cannot be anything but pessimistic when I see the ruling party throwing spanners in the works all the time and no strategies coming from opposition parties to counter them.
By pushing ahead with plans to amend the constitution and seemingly oblivious of what is going on around him, President Mugabe is making it clear that he is not about to bow to any pressure from any quarter (SADC included) anytime soon. So there is some serious thinking to be done by opposition parties here. We have lived with ZANU PF long enough to know that the ruling party will continue to play tricks on us ad infinitum in the full knowledge that nothing will be done to them. The past has borne out this fact.
Coupled with the fact that there is little or no appetite on the part of the majority of Zimbabweans to take to the streets to demand greater democracy, then we have a classic case of a political environment characterised by too many declarations and statements from opposition parties with little or no action to show for it. I am indeed terribly pessimistic about the whole thing at this point in time.
I am not saying here that opposition parties have become spent forces. No. All I am doing is to draw attention to the enormity of the task as we get closer to crunch time. The essence of my argument here is that we must not be under any illusion that salvation is around the corner. Change could be a long time coming unless and until a level playing field is created for all.
MDC formations or factions (call them what you will) and other opposition parties and civil society as a whole can play a very important role by focusing solely on the real issue. The real core of the issue lies in all democratic forces standing together to demand a level political playing field. This way, we will have an impact, I think.
I liked it when Tsvangirai said that if President Mugabe wins in a free and fair election, he will be the first to congratulate the President. That is as it should be. As long as the will of the people has been freely expressed in an open, free and fair election, it does not matter who wins in the last analysis. It is therefore crucial to have a free interplay of ideas in the run-up to any election and if such an electoral environment can be guaranteed, then it will be down to the Zimbabwean voters to elect a leader and a political party they think in their wisdom will make a huge difference to their lives. This really is the bottom line.
It is not for one leader to make jibes against the other like Mutambara did last weekend, describing Tsvangirai as a "weak and indecisive leader". Weak and indecisive in whose eyes? It is only in the eyes of the Zimbabwean public and not those of Mutambara that a political leader is credible or otherwise. It may be part of the political game by those who lack maturity to needlessly scold a political opponent but the point is that it did reflect very badly on Mutambara.
Indeed, Mutambara's behavior buttressed the perception that is already in the public that his faction is nothing more than a new ZANU PF party in the making — that is MDC-ZANU PF for short. Otherwise how does one explain such an unwarranted and vitriolic attack on a man Mutambara should ordinarily see as a comrade-in-arms?
The MDC — particularly but not exclusively the Mutambara faction — is facing a credibility deficit with many Zimbabweans at the moment. The goodwill that was engendered in the period following the February 2000 Constitutional Referendum through to the 2002 presidential election appears to have evaporated. The only way to regain that goodwill from Zimbabweans, difficult as it is, is not by hurling insults at each other but by coming up with coherent strategies to bring about a level playing field well before the March 2008 polls — even as two different and separate factions.
Forming a coalition to fight next year's polls is of course a desirable thing but it is not the end of the world if it does not come about. I see no need for such a coalition myself in the absence — at the very least — of minimum conditions for a free and fair electoral environment including a genuinely independent Electoral Commission an equal access to the state media. For me, this is the strongest card that both factions of the MDC will have, especially the Tsvangirai faction which evidently appears to have the majority of Zimbabweans on its side.
It is now a race against time. Timing is everything in politics. The problems that the opposition and the civil society face in this country including the unprecedented levels of brutality and a fearsome President are challenging and tough, no doubt. But the alternative is not to do nothing. It is a natural human impulse to continue fighting peacefully in order to end democratic deficits and oppression wherever they rear their ugly heads.
Zimbabweans are worn out and worn down by all sorts of hardships and by the need to survive. Perhaps, that is why there is no appetite among them to take to the streets to demand normalcy in their lives. In this kind of environment, MDC factions must stop shooting themselves in the foot by engaging in unpleasant and uncalled for squabbles for power and non-existent Cabinet positions. Kutandanisa tsuro muine salt muhomwe dzenyu hazviite vana Tsvangirai na Mutambara. Ko mukatadza kuibata tsuro yacho, salt yacho munozoiyisa kupi?
I think we need to preserve a sense of proportion as Zimbabweans and not be unduly worried or panic over the collapse of the coalition talks between the two factions of the MDC. Anyway, the faction with the popular support will be the one to take ZANU PF head on in a meaningful way. The real truth is that next year's polls are ultimately about creating conducive conditions for a transparent, open, free and fair elections before, during and after the polls.
Anything else will be a recipe for opposition impotence as usual and once again victory on a silver platter for President Mugabe and ZANU PF.


borncha@mweb.co.zw

LINK!!!!