LETTER - Robert Mugabe has lost control of the Zimbabwean parliament for the first time since the country got independence from Britain.
But the real power in the country is the office of president and Robert Mugabe holds that office.
Time is running out for Mugabe as the residents of his former strongholds in the rural districts like Matabeleland are turning against him.
In preparation of a presidential election rerun the war veterans and youth militia have been violently terrorising their fellow citizens. The brutality has widened to include election observers, opposition party polling agents and passers-by.
One opposition party youth volunteer was strapped to a truck and dragged before being left at the side of the road.
The victim heard one militiaman say: “This is war, we will keep fighting until we win.” The situation in the country will only get worse.
I urge the people to take action and blockade South Africa because of its support for Mugabe.
Oliver Healey, Telford
6 Comments
The only reason that other black African leaders keep quiet about Zimbabwe is that it is a useful distraction from their own shambolic governments.
There isn’t one Sub-Saharan country that isn’t a more or less corrupt economic basket case. South Africa’s probably about the best performer, but give them time!
It is very easy to make statements about Zimbabwe and its difficulties and putting blame on others for not doing anything.
Let us not forget that the British supported a very bad regime before the current one took control with the full support and action of the then British political attitude; it now seems it was a change of one despot for another.
Now that we have a current despot no-one likes Britain political attitude is doing nothing active to repair the damage being done.
The question is why not?
If we can happily get rid of one person (white) why can we not get rid of another person (black) both of whom ran or are running terrible regimes?
Or is British politics really just shallow rhetoric and not enough people have died yet?
Another point that could be remembered is that Mugabe is credited by most of Southern African regional people of getting rid of the white rulers and is now an elder statesman - like it or not that carries more weight than some of the arguments white people put forward for whatever good intent is meant.
So, if you can interpret African politics, attitude to life and people there may be a chance. Unfortunately over the years many have tried and failed with South Africa not a good example to quote.
Rob may be right in his assertion but I ask that consideration is taken of Botswana and its development - this seems to buck the norm given by Rob.
“Mr Mugabe’s deputy information minister, Bright Matonga, described Ian Smith as a man who brought untold suffering to millions of Zimbabweans.”
This has to be the statement of a Corrupt Licky Spit ……… or a raving lunatic!……… It is perfectly obvious to the whole world that had the “very bad regime” that ruled Rhodesia been supported and allowed to remain the Standard of Living of the average Zimbabwe resident would have been a thousand fold better than it is today and Zimbabwe would be a thriving Economic Nation………….
Ray H, I lived and worked in Southern Rhodesia for quite a few years. You appear to have some genuine knowledge yourself and, apart from the first half a dozen lines of yours - with which I disagree, I agree with all you say.
When you say Britain supported a very bad regime before the present one took control it would be interesting to know which regime exactly. If you refer to the Ian Smith UDI one, Britain did not support it, indeed extremely comprehensive sanctions were levelled against it. It is in the eye of the beholder whether Smith’s regime was good or bad.
If on the other hand you refer to the Colonial and/or Federal Governments of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - you would not seriously say that these were bad would you.
No white government of Rhodesia since the Pioneer Column of the 1890s, indeed, no Black Government throughout Africa, with the possible, debatable exception of Idi Amin of Uganda can be compared to the Robert Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. This man and his “Government” - if that is a proper term for a gang “criminals”, and I use that word in it’s widest meaning, are an afront to the world and it (via the UN) should be ashamed.
There are some Sub Saharan countries who, in their own way, muddle through on the difficult path to acceptable democracy and many mistakes will be made before they can be really termed westernised. A tremendous disapointment was Kenya but it will find it’s way eventually as they all will and yes, Botswana has much good going for it. By not condemning Zimbabwe and applying pressure, Black Africa in general and Thabo Mbecki and South Africa in particular make themselves look bad and backward in the eyes of the world, who, as I say, themselves do nothing. Mugabe is a very lucky man, if the world had any morals, he would have been turfed out long ago.
“Rob may be right in his assertion but I ask that consideration is taken of Botswana and its development - this seems to buck the norm given by Rob.”
Errr, Botswana may not be in quite the same league as Zimbabwe, but (for different reasons) they’re heading in exactly the same direction, with a failing economy, not helped by the fact that (mainly due to AIDS) they have got one of the World’s lowest average life expectancies.
I don’t see how Ray H’s example of Botswana is a challenge to my original assertion about Sub-Saharan countries.
Rob, whilst Botswana and, indeed many African countries are in great difficulties for numerous reasons, AIDS being just one and agreed, a major one, there is no reason at all to assert that it is “heading in exactly the same direction” as Zimbabwe. It’s economy is a good example, whilst this is in extremely bad circumstances, in no way can it be compared with that of Zimbabwe where it has totally collapsed with banknotes literally being printed off at the Government Printers in the same manner as Government Forms (when they have the paper) are printed. Botswana is far from the bottom of the table that measures life expectancy etc etc in Africa, indeed, it’s to her credit that she is way above Sierra Leone which is at the extreme bottom of the table and after all the British and Western aid has been poured into that country. We must understand that countries in Africa are “young”, they have learned much in a relatively short time, there is still much for them to learn and they will make bad mistakes that they will need assistance with.
Zimbabwe is something else and is a unique, one - off case and can be compared to no other country in Africa. As I have said above, it is an afront to and disgrace to the world in almost every sence. If ever there was a case for white, western states to invade an African country and bring it back to some degree of civilization and acceptable behaviour, Zimbabwe is it. Not in the slightest does Botswana compare to it neither is it every likely to.