ZANU PF Early Election Delusion Reckless

By Kevin Ngwenya

The deranged mandarins in ZANU PF led by the increasingly senile geriatric, Robert Mugabe are, in their wisdom or none of it, clamouring for early elections without the necessary roadmap as required under the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which was signed by ZANU PF and the two MDC formations, one led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the other by Arthur Mutambara.

It is this GPA that led to the formation of the government of national unity (GNU) which has put some brakes on the looting spree that had characterised past ZANU PF governments’ conduct in public offices.

When the GNU was formed, the country was at a crossroads, the economy had collapsed, and everything was in meltdown, the government printers Fidelity, was working non-stop printing worthless paper money called bearer cheques.  All that could go wrong went wrong in Zimbabwe.  The entire economic system had ground to a halt.

Mugabe had been soundly beaten by Tsvangirai in free and fair elections held in March 2008 only to declare himself winner in a stage managed brutal election run-off in June 2008.  The sham election cost the country hundreds of lives through state-sponsored violence and was duly condemned by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the international community at large.

For almost a year, Mugabe failed to put together a government because his regime would not have had any legitimacy.  With his tail between his legs, Mugabe accepted what was thought unthinkable – to share power with his sworn enemy – Morgan Tsvangirai.

This marriage of convenience has however managed to stabilise the economy despite the poisoned and acrimonious atmosphere that characterise Zimbabwe’s current political landscape.  Now that the MDC has helped to arrest the economic decline that Mugabe presided over for decades without any grain of remorse, Mugabe seemingly buoyed by the recovery and the recent discovery of the largest diamond field in Southern Africa in the last hundred years, now wants to go it alone.

These two factors have suddenly energised ZANU PF to the extent that they now see no reason to continue working in partnership with the MDC formations.  The call for early elections with or without a credible roadmap for the holding of free and fair elections should be viewed within this broad context.  In any case, ZANU PF has a well-documented disdain for free and fair polls.  No wonder why they are not even interested in the roadmap.

In fact, the roadmap is their worst enemy, because they cannot win a free and fair election contest and the worst part is that they have known it for a long time now.  This is why they have perfected violence as a reliable weapon, which is deployed with reckless abandon every time there is a general election.

This time, President Zuma of South Africa should tell the blundering geriatric North of the Limpopo to go and hang.  Mugabe cannot be allowed to continue to drag the once prosperous country downhill in order to pursue his selfish interests of clinging on to power till Kingdom come.

No right minded people would want early elections that would lead to more violence and a disputed plebiscite.  Investors demand security for their investment and markets require stability.  Reckless calls for self-serving elections should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.

Witless Didymus Mutasa unashamedly told whoever cared to listen that whatever Mugabe says stands without question.  Anyway, we all know Didymus as one of those ministers who was fooled by Rotina Mavhunga into believing that pure diesel can be extracted from a rock, ready for the tank.  What gibberish!

What pains ZANU PF is that the unity government is now making it difficult to loot at will , especially the precious diamonds as they have done other national resources.  Elections can and should wait.  A genuine and credible roadmap first, after which all other things can follow.

HAT News is precluded from expressing a corporate view: the opinions expressed are therefore those of the authors.

*Kevin Ngwenya is an MDC activist and human rights campaigner based in Leicester

Zanu PF sets up liberation war zones

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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.

EU Sanctions on Mugabe and Allies to Stay

ZimOnline – MEMBERS of the European Parliament (MEPs) have urged EU ministers meeting today to renew targeted sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his henchmen to punish them for lack of progress in implementing the global political agreement (GPA).

The GPA is the power-sharing agreement signed in 2008 by Mugabe and former opposition leader and now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at the behest of southern African leaders and which gave birth to the Harare coalition government.

On the eve of the meeting by the EU Council of ministers to review the sanctions, Geoffrey Van Hordern, the MEP, who spearheads the European Parliament’s campaign for freedom and democratic change in Zimbabwe and, speaks for many MEPs outraged by Mugabe’s conduct, said the sanctions must be renewed because nothing much has changed in Zimbabwe despite last February’s inauguration of the unity government.

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Human Rights Watch: Zimbabwe’s transitional government a “sham”

ZimOnline – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described Zimbabwe’s transitional government as a “sham”, saying Harare’s protracted year-long administration has not made any real progress in implementing much-needed political reforms.

HRW director for Africa Georgette Gagnon at the weekend said the power-sharing government has demonstrated little political will or capacity to enact meaningful changes to improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

“The transitional power-sharing government is a sham . . . From a human rights perspective, nothing has changed for the better. Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF are still fully in control,” Gagnon said.

She accused parties to the global political agreement (GPA) of lack of seriousness in implementing provisions of the pact they signed in September 2008 which led to the formation of the inclusive government last February.

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Zimbabwe Talks Remain Deadlock

SW Radio Africa – The latest negotiations between the political parties in the coalition government entered day two with still no progress. The talks resumed on Monday after a break of over two weeks.

There is a media blackout on the sensitive proceeding stalling the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement, signed in September 2008. But sources close to the talks said there is still no movement on the fundamental issues in dispute.

“The MDC-T maintains there is a deadlock, ZANU PF is not giving in on anything and the MDC-M, on the other hand, is trying to prolong the dialogue as long as it can,” said one of the sources.

MDC-T Chief negotiator Tendai Biti is quoted saying: “You can’t call these ‘talks’ because there is no talking. We are moving nowhere. We can’t make any movement on the key issues so there are no talks to talk about.”

A South African team sent by President Jacob Zuma arrived in Harare on Monday to facilitate the dialogue between the political parties and it’s reported the team, Charles Ngqakula, Lindiwe Zulu and Mac Maharaj had scheduled more meetings with the negotiators on Tuesday.

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Fresh Power Struggle Rocks Zim Coalition

ZimOnline – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister (PM) Morgan Tsvangirai are locked in a fresh power struggle after the former instructed government ministers to report to his two vice-presidents by-passing the Premier – a clear breach of the former foes’ power-sharing agreement.

The global political agreement (GPA) that gave birth to the Harare coalition government splits powers between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

The GPA – itself a source of incessant squabbling between the two rivals over its implementation – specifically charges Tsvangirai with overseeing formulation and implementation of government policies and requires ministers to “report to the Prime Minister on all issues relating to the implementation of such policies and plans”.

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Mugabe Strips Tsvangirai of Powers

Zimbabwe Situation – A fresh confrontation is looming in Zimbabwe’s shaky power sharing
government after President Robert Mugabe reportedly ordered all ministers to
stop reporting to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai but to the two Zanu PF
Vice-Presidents in a bid to demote the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
leader.

Highly placed government sources have told Radio VOP that the Mugabe issued
the directive through a memo written and signed by the country’s chief
secretary to the president and cabinet Misheck Sibanda last week.

The controversial directive by Mugabe, which goes against the Global
Political Agreement (GPA) which gave power to Tsvangirai, is likely to
escalate tensions in the transitional government following last week’s
collapse of talks between Zanu PF and the two MDC formations.

“The directive from Mugabe came as a surprise to us, and in the letter he
does not explain where he is getting the orders but it is clearly a Zanu PF
and Mugabe ploy to create problems in the unity government. It’s yet another
attempt by Mugabe to abuse his powers and ostracise the prime minister.

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