Mugabe says no to power sharing

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Why Zimbabweans still live in fear

AN MDC councilor who told a security guard he “only argued with Robert Mugabe” has been arrested and charged with “undermining the authority of the President”.

Benard Nyamambi, 40, a councilor for the Movement for Democratic Change party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in the resort town of Victoria Falls could be fined or jailed for a year if convicted. ADDPTED FROM NEWZIMBABWEAN http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-2191-MDC+cllr+nabbed+over+Mugabe+insult/news.aspx

We have heard about the change in Zimbabwe. Some people think that it is safe to be in Zimbabwe, yet we have things like unlawful arrests still happening. In developed countries you can talk about your leaders in a any manor if you dispise of them (freedom of expresion). For example in Britain you can talk about the prime minister freely without fear of persecution and yet in Zimbabwe people are getting arrested for a simply statement.

It is my opinion that because of this power Mugabe still holds in Zimbabwe and still wishes to be only addressed as a hero nothing less he can do anything he wants to protect his interests. If one is a councilor and is arrested for making a negative statement about Mugabe then people go on to say there is freedom in Zimbabwe, what a contrast and people go on to say freedom is in Zimbabwe where there is a ruler like Mugabe not a leader and clear vaolations of human rights. People then go on to wonder why after the GNU not many Zimbabweans opted to go back to their home either from countries  like South Africa, Canada, United Kingdom and many other countries zimbabweans have fled to. It is simple Mugabe is still feared and still exercises his rule as he wishes. If they are human rights in Zimbabwe how come people like Benard Nyamambi get arrested for simple gestures? The lack of human rights in Zimbabwe is still there ,to remove Mugabe is the only road to true freedom.

Robert Mugabe has reportedly said he will not appoint provincial governors from the MDC, as they may not be loyal to him. He has also dug in his heels and said that Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and central bank boss Gideon Gono are going nowhere.

The ZANU PF leader is said to have told all this to South African President Jacob Zuma two weeks ago, also reiterating that he will not appoint Roy Bennett, the MDC treasurer-general, to the agriculture portfolio or any other ministerial post. The comments were made during a private meeting Mugabe had with President Zuma in Harare.The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe.http://www.swradioafrica.com/news310310/powershare310310.htm

Mugabe has reportedly said no to power sharing seen by the adaptation above. So how can one trust that there is no fear in Zimbabwe whilst Mugabe can do what he wants? It seems if he doesn’t want to go he won’t go and no one can do anything about that. If Mugabe believes that you are a threat and he can not trust you he will deal with you the only way he knows how. He does not trust the Likes of Roy Bennet and he simple won’t accept to put them in their rightful places as ministers and exert them to pressure through the justice system of Zimbabwe which he clearly manipulates. Yet at the same time keeping his friends closer the likes of Gideon Gono and Attorney general Johannes Tomana those people that he trusts. What chance is there for the unknown people who are suffering in Zimbabwe? Mugabe will do what he wants and people will remain in fear.

RUTENDO Munengani, wife of MDC-T legislator for Glen View North Fani Munengami, says she will never forgive President Robert Mugabe after she was raped by a soldier while her nine-month old son watched in horror. Mugabe, who is the commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), has always used the security services whenever he feels cornered in his three-decade-long rule. Adapted from The Standard Zimbabwe’s leading Sunday newspaper.http://www.thestandard.co.zw/local/23741-raped-by-mugabes-thugs-.html

Then we move on to serious cases like rape, being raped by a member of the supposed authorities of Zimbabwe how can one not live in fear after things like this happen. To think that these incidents happened in 2010 after everyone is supposing that Zimbabwe is still safe. Mugabe the Commander in chief will rather let his soldiers act this way and not punish them. Yet I still ask the question how can one not live in fear if these kind of things are happening under the noses of the inclusive government. Soldiers can act like this because they know that nothing will happen to them in the dilapidated structure of authority that exists in Zimbabwe, which is full of corruption and nepotism and so much more ‘isms’. Police officers, soldiers, guards and any authorities in Zimbabwe can simply get away with anything because they know they can be pampered by Mugabe and his regime and can get away with anything.

Just recently there has been wide spread objection to gay rights in Zimbabwe Mugabe has since mantained that he would not give these people any rights, and likened them to dogs. it is a well known fact that in any society they are gay people and they deserve to be heard. It is of my opinion that  everyone deserves human right protection and this is a clear obstruction of human rights. Therfore this goes on to show that yet another group of the Zimbabwean society will still live in fear.

This Zimbabwean people know they can survive if they just stay away from the authorities and do not defy Mugabe. With all the evidence of recent events which happen in Zimbabwe goes on to prove why people are still afraid in Zimbabwe. Mugabe still holds so much power that he is still feared in Zimbabwe. This can only change after the rulers of Zimbabwe change and Zimbabwe can once again breathe. In a nut shell Mugabe do what he wants in Zimbabwe and that is why people still live in fear in and out of Zimbabwe.

By Tichaona Manomano – volunteer community reporter with HAT News

A NATION CRIPPLED BY TALKS

Leaders of Zimbabwe can not seem to reach decisions on issues crippling their country. On the contrary people of Zimbabwe are seemingly coming to one conscious agreement with no need of talks what have you. All agreeing that talks are leading the country nowhere. ,” Ncube is also reported as saying “Nothing is moving and it is useless for us to continue telling the nation that there is no progress while they are looking to us as Government to deliver” The MDC officials in Zimbabwe seem to notice that nothing is moving although they want to give the ZANU-PF the benefit of the doubt that they might change for the betterment of the nation, they are equally and slowly getting frustrated, as seen by the above quotation by Professor W. Ncube. 

 “Enough is enough” is a commonly used term by the Zimbabwean people, well who can blame them for saying so. These talks never seem to end. In my view there is only one thing that seems to be stopping the MDC for going the whole nine yards? calling for another fresh round of fair elections, its simply that they know that when dealing with Mugabe it can never be a free and fair elections. History is the only weapon the MDC can depend on and by now the Zimbabwean people and the international community should have learned that you can not share power with Mugabe. He has refused to Remove the now  Reserve bank of Zimbabwe governor G. Gono and has recently claimed that as long as he is alive Roy Benet will never became a Minister . Mugabe has managed to do this because he is hiding behind the on going talks.

 The Unity Accord of December 1987 between ZAPU and ZANU is another example whereby Zimbabweans used their collective efforts to solve their political challenge/divide. Almost two decades later Zimbabwe is under an Inclusive Government again ZANU-PF has tried to share power before with an opposition party only to consume and silence the opposition party; there are strong similarities in the GNU and the unity accord. Although this is evident  to the MDC they seem powerless to do anything against the calculative Mugabe and his party ZANU-PF. All Zimbabwe must hope for is that Mugabe is peacefully removed from power which he is holding on to. The MDC is trying to remove Mugabe peacefully with the help of SADC but removing Mugabe from power peaceful for the past 3 decades has proved to be difficult.  

By now Zimbabwe should be in a new dawn and should be moving on, the never ending talks have been the hurdle to the price, the price of true freedom to the people of Zimbabwe, true economic freedom. Mugabe seems to be clinging on to power and buying  time to yet again orchestrate another plan to oust The MDC, although the MDC have proven to be strong so far, they should never under estimate the mind of Mugabe who is seemingly driven onwards by a ghastly demonic impulse. Mugabe is holding the nation at Ransom for his benefit.

  The GNU has been praised for easing the Zimbabwean economy by the international communities but this can be a short lived solution if these talks go on. It is just a matter of time when the Zimbabwean people get tired of the talks and realize that if they go on it will once again cripple the country. It is time for Mugabe to realize that he needs to be a true patriot of Zimbabwe and give the power to the truly elected leader of Zimbabwe that is Prime Minister M. Tsvangirai for he can truly reform the economy of Zimbabwe and revive Zimbabwe to its former glory.

Zimbabwe is still on a halt only surviving on temporary solutions, by now these talks should have been over and the country should have been concentrating on the issues of relighting the already dead economy. Some might ague that what is happening now is going back the riches of the olden Zimbabwe, but for how long should Zimbabweans continue lying to themselves. Zimbabwe should learn from history?  ESAP an economic measure introduced by ZANU-PF was a short lived solution for the dying economy of Zimbabwe in the 90s and took the country to disastrous lows in terms of the economy. Now we have the dollarization in Zimbabwe this might ease the economy yes, but it will be short lived if the talks in Zimbabwe never end. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC formation has since challenged its coalition partners to concede that the dialogue has failed and begin preparations for general elections. Of course Mugabe does not agree to this because he knows the true outcome of the general elections if at all they will be fair. Mugabe has a history of not playing fair so that he can remain in power. So what then will change this time? In my view once a devil always a devil especially when referring to Mugabe who is hiding behind the fact that talks are going on, and not wanting to relinquish power.

In conclusion Mugabe must realize that he has failed and must give up. These talks in Zimbabwe have the country crippled. Whenever one thinks there is a break through in the talks there is always something holding them back and that is Mugabe. It is time for the nation of Zimbabwe to be truly set free and be restored to its former glory.

 

By Tichaona Manomano – volunteer community reporter with HAT News

Zanu PF sets up liberation war zones

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MDC ministers to get back their portfolios

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Christians protest at attacks on Zimbabwe trade unionists

The World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) and its Zimbabwe Advocacy Office say they are shocked at recent attacks on trade union leaders by police and security forces in Zimbabwe during a period when the southern African country is trying to reconcile bitter divides – writes Peter Kenny.

In a statement sent to Ecumenical News International recently, the General Secretary of the student federation, the Rev Michael Wallace, and the coordinator of the Zimbabwe office in Geneva, Marlon Zakeyo, said that three days earlier, police raided and ransacked offices of the General Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union of Zimbabwe in Harare.

“These senseless attacks, together with the recent upsurge in general violence in the country, indicate clearly that Zimbabwe’s political crisis remains unresolved and that Zimbabwe’s Inclusive Government needs to do much more to deliver change,” the statement said.

The statement noted that the police forced the Secretary General of the agricultural workers’ union, Gertrude Hambira, to flee her home to South Africa, leaving her family behind.

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ICG: Zim democratic transition remains at risk

The Zimbabwe Independent – ZIMBABWE is facing political and security risks which might scuttle the current transition, the International Crisis Group (ICG), a global organisation led by retired statesmen, has said. In its latest report titled Zimbabwe: Political and Security Challenges to the Transition, the ICG said the country’s transition from dictatorship to democracy was bedevilled by serious “political and security risks”.

“Despite initial scepticism, Zimbabwe’s year-old unity government has achievements to its credit, but the democratic transition remains at risk, especially from hard-line security officials –– President Robert Mugabe’s last reliable supporters,” the report says.

ICG Africa Programme Director François Grignon said the military posed the greatest threat to transition.

“As Zimbabwe enters its second year under a unity government, the challenges to democratic transformation are in sharp focus,” Grignon said.

“The military leadership and other Mugabe loyalists in Zanu PF are using their symbiotic relationship with the state apparatus to exercise veto power over the transition. A mature political system must develop, so Zanu PF and the MDC engage as both competitors in politics and partners in government.”

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MDC meets on worsening situation in Zimbabwe

The mainstream MDC party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for crisis meeting of its national executive council members Thursday to discuss the party’s deteriorating relations with President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.

“We are dealing with a whole array of issues affecting Zimbabweans, ranging from the state of the inclusive government, issues to do with the constitution-making process, the dialogue, the general life of the GPA, you name it,” party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa told The Zimbabwe Times Wednesday night.

“The environment is fast deteriorating and we are going to receive reports from all the provinces on what is happening in the country.”

The MDC national executive council comprises 48 members drawn from all the country’s 10 provinces.

It is the highest decision-making organ in between national councils and national congresses.

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MDC Leicester branch pray for Peace in Zimbabwe

By Korasi Gumi

MDC Leicester Branch Vows to Work Together

By Tichaona Manomano

The Leicester branch of the MDC Midlands North District commenced the year with a vibrant meeting on 09 January 2010 recording a massive attendance of members. The chairman, Mr Tawanda Machakaire asked members to provide ideas about events to be considered for the current calendar year.

It was suggested that the branch could; have barbeques, hold branch vigils, prepare food for sale during meetings, arrange for a stand during the Caribbean carnival, sponsor a marathon and promote Zimbabwean dance and modeling contests, social events including voluntary work, as part of the MDC’s contribution to the community.

Mr. Lawrence Madziva suggested that the branch holds three prayer meetings a year. As previously agreed during the end of year meeting on 12 December 2009, members agreed with the suggestion by the Vice Women’s chairperson (Mandiwengerei Zambezi) that the first prayer day be held in February or early March to coincide with the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) peace talks in Zimbabwe.

She went on to report that there have already been consultations with one Pastor and significant progress on the matter has already been made.  A committee that was set up comprising; Messrs. Zororo Mataruka and Lawrence Madziva, Mrs Juliet Makande, Miss Mandiwengerei Zambezi, Ms  Mary Muteyerwa, Ms Tryness Uzande was expected to provide feedback on progress during the next general meeting.

Women members took the opportunity to introduce their newly elected women’s committee comprising:

Juliet Makande                      Chairlady

Mandiwengerei Zambezi         Vice chairlady

Wendy Zhakata                      Secretary

Leah Muzhuzha                       Vice Secretary

Mary Muteyerwa                     Treasurer

Nyarai Gaba                            Vice Treasurer

Tryness Uzande                       Organising Secretary

Sheila Ndarukwa                      Vice Organising Secretary

Ashayi Chimuka                       Information and Publicity

Jennifer Senzere                      Committee member

Monica Baira                            Committee member

Wendy Zhakata (Women’s Secretary) reminded women that they should kick start fundraising events during all forth coming meetings. Anthia Ndlovu supported Wendy’s suggestion saying many MDC members are being discriminated by ZANU PF officials in food distribution programmes.  She proposed that as a party and a branch the MDC have a duty to look after our constituents.

The treasurer, Mr Ashton Zaranyika asked members to take their financial contributions seriously since the money was needed for venue rentals and other out of pocket expenses.  Mr. Dave Chitombo echoed the same sentiments asking members to contribute generously towards the funeral of Mr. Tshuma’s son who passed away at the end of 2009 as it is our moral obligation to do so.

Mr Pelani Ziba introduced the topical issue regarding the volatile situation in Zimbabwe and the precarious state of the GNU and, many were of the view that ZANU PF was an unrepentant and pathologically dishonest partner in government.

As a party, ZANU PF is making a mockery of the GNU by violating with impunity, the provisions of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) that was sponsored by SADC and is responsible for bringing about the relative but, fragile peace in Zimbabwe today.

There was a general consensus among those present that ZANU PF was determined to inflict untold suffering on MDC members through abductions, false imprisonments, selective use of the law and torture especially, during the run up to a General election so that they can foist upon the electorate, an illegal regime hell-bent on safeguarding its ill-gotten wealth.

While there has been an encouraging economic upturn since the inauguration of the GNU, the same cannot be said about the political prospects of the country.  ZANU PF’s siege mentality is showing no sign of abating as the Party continues to frustrate the constitutional reform process, sponsor violence against members of the MDC and disregard with calculated malice, the provisions of the GPA.

Mr. Prime Somerai advocated for more involvement from members in all party endeavors. Members promised greater participation in the year 2010 in order to defeat and remove ZANU PF from power, a feat that can only be achieved through cooperation, perseverance, fortitude and patience.

The meeting ended on a high note with the chairman encouraging cohesion and efficiency from everybody in order to achieve the Party’s goals. The meeting ended with all members promising to stick together as a Party and as Zimbabweans.

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