Messages From Zimbabwe

A little-known independent candidate for the Zimbabwe presidential elections said Thursday that Zimbabweans should stop ‘hurling insults’ at each other. Zimbabwe’s three main candidates for the March 29 poll are longtime incumbent President Robert Mugabe, main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and ex-finance minister Simba Makoni. But a fourth candidate, independent Langton Towungana, who few had ever heard of before nomination courts sat earlier this month, has emerged in favourable reports in the state media which are traditionally hostile to opposition candidates. Towunga, who is from the western tourist resort of Victoria Falls and who has already been interviewed on prime-time TV, said in an interview Thursday with the state-controlled Herald that Zimbabwe had to engage the international community if it wanted to turn around the economy.

Zimbabwe’s economy is in its worst crisis since independence in 1980, with annual inflation at more than 100,000 per cent and critical shortages of essential drugs, some foods and foreign currency. ‘We are one nation. We are Zimbabweans. Let’s understand each other because we cannot develop the nation by hurling insults at each other,’ Towungana said. The Herald which is the only daily left in Zimbabwe since armed police shut down the popular Daily News in 2003 carried a much shorter report on a tour of high-density suburbs by Tsvangirai. The paper said the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader had commiserated with Harare residents for the suffering they were going through. But, the Herald added, the sufferings were ‘ironically caused by the MDC which urged the West to impose economic sanctions against Zimbabwe.’

Britain, the US and the EU have imposed targeted sanctions on more than 100 top ruling party officials. In the extremely unlikely event Towungana wins the polls, he told the Herald he would ask established MPs from other political parties to form a government, as long as they were not ‘criminal.’ ‘I am flexible to work with anyone as long as you are not a criminal. We need to go back to the fundamentals if we are serious about turning around the fortunes of the economy,’ he said.

(Source)

11th - Chitingwiza -1 MP candidate, 1 council candidate, 2 others.

14^th - Zengeza 6 women arrested (illegal gathering) out on 100 m bail each.

19^th - Bindura 3 arrested. Sandra Shirikihavu ward 7 councillor beaten and hospitalised.

20^th - Mbare MDC activists Davison Panganayi, Tonderayi Mapiye - distributing Fliers.

21^st - Mhondoro - Francis Dhlakama plus others arrested for trying to obtain voter registration details.

22^nd - Epworth - Alabi Billiard, Gift Mukuwira, Kudakwashe Mukudo MDC activists arrested.

23^rd - Harare Railway Station - Dread and his girl friend arrested whilst boarding the train for Mutare for Presidential launch - Dread made the MDC cd’s. He was released on 25th Feb.

24^th - Marondera - Muzhambi and Tenfera (election agent for MDC urban candidate Iain Kay) arrested for allegedly removing a Mugabe poster/insulting the President.

25^th - Muzharabani - Muchemwa Chihota ward election agent and Munyaradzi Nyama MDC activist arrested.

25th - MDC activists houses burned in Muzharabani - 2 ZPF youths arrested. More details to follow.

 (Source - by email)

ZNU 109 released. Today’s programme is a little different - I decided that I would touch on any story that was not about Simba Makoni. So it is a “Makoni free” episode…

It can be heard in the multiplayers in the right hand sidebar (of The Bearded Man blog), or here, whilst can also be downloaded from here.

Take care.

‘debvhu

Birthday balloons for Bob… 

Over 1200 Zimbabwean protesters based in South Africa swamped the Beitbridge border post Saturday to demonstrate against Robert Mugabe’s birthday celebrations on the other side of the border. Owing to massive food shortages in the country Mugabe is said to have chosen Beitbridge as the ideal location in order to facilitate the easy purchase and transport of food from neighbouring Musina in South Africa. Various exile groups however came together and organized a protest to counter this birthday bash.

Over 30 police officers were called in to manage trucks and buses that had formed a 2-kilometre queue to cross the border while the protesters positioned themselves just meters from the customs office. MDC Treasurer General Roy Bennet who is based in South Africa addressed the crowd in the native Shona language. Speaking to Newsreel later in the day Bennet said they had underestimated the turnout and after only printing 1000 t-shirts at least over 200 activists failed to get any.

Simon Mudekwa from the Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement said they had brought in their supporters using 6 buses from Johannesburg and other cities in South Africa. ‘Many from Zimbabwe walked over the bridge to come and join us because we had put out the word that there would be a rally here to counter Mugabe’s celebrations that side,’ he told reporters. The protesters released a helium-filled blimp that had the words ‘Free and fair or just hot air,’ a reference to coming elections on March 29. Another helium balloon left to float in the air was written, ‘Bob you’ve had your cake, now beat it.’

More stunts were still to follow, as a giant cardboard cake was unveiled. Four men dressed as skeletons jumped out and started dancing to the cheering crowds while holding out banners that read out the names of liberation war heroes like Josiah Tongogara.

(Source)

Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will this weekend launch its manifesto which details plans to appoint a Truth and Justice Commission within 100 days of assuming office to investigate all perpetrators of gross human rights violations since 1980.

The MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai which is set to launch its election campaign in Mutare on Saturday, says those who have committed human rights abuses in the past will face prosecution under an MDC government.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the Mutare rally will see the opposition party launch its manifesto, election campaign and unveil its candidates for the joint presidential, parliamentary and local government polls pencilled for March 29.

Chamisa said: “All the top leadership of the party will be in attendance including all MDC candidates for the forthcoming election. The manifesto is a brilliant document which has taken the party two years to draft. It summarises the findings of the party on what needs to be done to bring back stability to the country.”

The opposition says there are five key priority areas which an MDC government will target to bring back normalcy to the country, namely economic stabilisation, reconstruction, national integration, restoration of law and order and a new constitution.

The MDC manifesto - leaked to New Zimbabwe.com - says the truth and justice commission will focus on “four main periods of gross human rights violations” between 1980 and 2008.

Top on the agenda of the commission will be investigating crimes against humanity committed during the Gukurahundi genocide, a military incursion into the western parts of the country which human rights groups say left 20000 people dead between 1982 and 1987.

The commission will also bring to book perpetrators of human rights violations during the fast-track land reform programme which led to the killing of white land owners and several farm workers as well as the unlawful occupation and destruction of properties on more than 10000 commercial farms since 2000.

An MDC government will also investigate crimes committed during Operation Murambatsvina in 2005 - a government blitz on unplanned urban structures which left close to a million people homeless, and thousands others without their livelihoods.

The MDC faction says it will also investigate and bring to book culprits behind the violence and destruction of property during “the struggle to restore democracy in Zimbabwe between 1998 and 2008, particularly around the periods when elections were held.”

The MDC claims that during the period in question, several opposition activists were murdered in politically motivated violence while others were maimed, brutally assaulted or tortured by state agents and ZANU PF militias who have never been prosecuted.

The 175-page MDC manifesto refers to these past events as eras of gross human rights abuses and promises to grant them justice as soon as possible.

The manifesto reads: “The MDC is committed to dealing with the needs of the victims of these four instances in a holistic and comprehensive way. By this means, it is hoped to give those affected by the abuse of their rights the satisfaction of knowing that the truth about what happened has been revealed and that the culprits have been brought to justice.”

The opposition party says it is necessary to address these matters to avoid a repeat of such crimes. The Commission, which will be open to the public, will identify culprits to the criminal incidents being investigated and recommend further investigations by the police before the matters are brought to the courts.

It will publish detailed records of these incidences to ensure “that the memory is retained and that this sort of abusive activity by the state is not repeated in the future.”

The MDC says in the event of people who committed atrocities not volunteering to come to offer their side of the story to the commission, the commission will direct investigation by an impartial police force that will proceed with criminal prosecution were there is evidence that an atrocity was committed.

The document also says an MDC government will set up compensation courts around the country to deal with financial prejudices that may have occurred in each and every case brought before the commission.

Where personal prejudice has been incurred - such as physical disability or the death of bread winner - the commission will be empowered to direct the courts to compensate the victim or victims, says the MDC.

The MDC, which accuses President Robert Mugabe’s government of sanctioning gross human rights violations and politically motivated killings of opponents since Independence, says the 84-year-old leader should face trial for crimes against humanity.

Four names will be on the ballot paper for presidential elections on March 29, but analysts say the real battle will between Mugabe, Tsvangirai and former Finance Minister Simba Makoni, who is running as an independent.

Makoni has rejected any suggestion of putting Mugabe on trial.

He said: “I am not doing this against anyone (running for president); I am doing this for the people of Zimbabwe. President Mugabe is a citizen of Zimbabwe at this point in time, the number one citizen of Zimbabwe. There is space here for him to continue his life without fear or worry.”

(Source)

The elections of 29 March 2008 have thrown the divided ZANU PF into unbridled chaos and confusion, presenting hard-pressed Zimbabweans with our only chance to reclaim our lost dignity and to realize our vision of a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning.

ZANU PF is in total chaos. The regime’s fat cats and party heavyweights have lost the primaries. In Manicaland, Masvingo, Harare and Mashonaland Central, the regime is in total chaos. Disgruntled party functionaries have filed nomination papers against candidates imposed by the ZANU PF’s Presidium headed by Robert Mugabe.

ZANU PF heavyweights Samuel Mumbengegwi, Joseph Made, Shuvai Mahofa, Dzikamai Mavhaire and Stan Mudenge, dismally lost in party primaries but they have filed their papers after being imposed as party candidates,confirming that the regime is in total disarray in its last hours.

The MDC has won uncontested in several wards throughout the country after ZANU PF failed to field candidates in those areas, including Mashonaland Central. So weak and confused is ZANU PF that it decided to field two candidates against President Tsvangirai. ZANU PF is represented by Robert Mugabe and Simba Makoni. Professor Mutambara, in his wisdom, has decided to buttress one of the ZANU PF camps against the MDC and President Tsvangirai.

This election is between ZANU PF and the MDC, ZANU PF with two Presidential candidates against the MDC’s only candidate, President Tsvangirai.

The people of Zimbabwe need to be vigilant. ZANU PF is taking people for a ride by trying to export their internal confusion to the whole nation.

Zimbabweans have nothing to do with the dearth of internal party democracy within ZANU PF. That is a ZANU PF and not a national affair. Looking at the history of ZANU PF, anyone claiming to be loyal to it is simply claiming loyalty to the regime’s values of graft, violence, murder, plunder and mismanagement.

Zimbabweans seek fundamental and genuine transformation, not cosmetic reform. This election is not just about change of faces. It is more about change of content and substance, change of direction in the way we transact our politics. In short, it is about giving birth to a new culture and a new beginning to make a new Zimbabwe possible.

This election is about the track record in the struggle for food, jobs, dignity and freedom.

Even though the electoral conditions are not perfect, Zimbabweans have a perfect opportunity to exploit the confusion within the regime to make a loud statement for a new Zimbabwe.

In our view, the schisms and fissures in ZANU PF are divine and God-given. All Zimbabweans take this as a rare opportunity to archive the regime and all its surrogates.

The MDC has a leadership that is alive to the people’s aspirations. The MDC has a leadership for change, a leadership for jobs, a leadership for food and affordable health care and education and transport. Ours is a team to deliver the birth of a new Zimbabwe. In our President, House of Assembly, Senatorial and local government candidates, we have a team ready to govern as shall be evidenced by the launch of our manifesto and policy programme document on Saturday in Mutare.

*A New Zimbabwe, a New Beginning. Now is the time!!*

(Source: via email)

When Mugabe does it, he always does it big, real big. His largess is often so breathtaking that most find it hard to comprehend, let alone digest. He’s doing it again.

First it was Gukurahundi where he oversaw the slaughter of at least 20,000 people in the Matabeleland and the Midlands Provinces. He used his personal extra-legal military unit, the 5th Brigade, which was trained by North Korea to do his dirty work. Whilst this genocide was going on, Mugabe was the darling of the West and a blind eye was turned on his excesses.

When he saw his grip on power under threat in 2000 and 2002, he blatantly rigged more elections and ordered his storm troopers to invade and violently confiscate at least 4000 farms from fellow white Zimbabweans. In the process, over one million black farm workers and their families lost their homes and livelihoods and became refugees in their own country.

Today Zimbabwe starves.

A few years later, he implemented Operation Murambatsvina where he literally destroyed the homes and livelihoods on over 700,000 Zimbabweans. Quiet diplomacy kept the lid on this atrocity.

To top it off, last year he ordered all businesses to slash their prices in half and thousands of businesses went under as a result.

Throughout his rule, Mugabe has perfected the rigging mechanisms necessary to win elections but this time the pressure is on to have free and fair elections and given the numbers, he has a real problem.

Some months ago, Mugabe’s advisors warned him that conditions in the country had become so bad that if an election was held, he would suffer a humiliating defeat. His worst fears were confirmed as he was told that Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC now commanded the overwhelming majority of support in Zimbabwe.

Enter Mugabe’s new con - Operation Makoni.

In the Polit Bureau, his strategists developed a comprehensive and detailed plan to get Mugabe and ZANU PF out of their predicament. The plan involved the fabrication of a split in the party and the creation of the perception that ZANU PF was falling apart. Later, when the votes are counted, there would be “enough” votes from the so-called disaffected ZANU PF (Makoni) faction and ZANU PF (Mugabe) faction to form a “coalition” government. As a sweetener, another small unimportant party would also be included.

The plan would be that Makoni would pull out of ZANU PF with a bit of stage managed acrimony. He would then “play” a magnominiously role to the electorate which would be desperate enough to see him as their saviour. This would be re-enforced especially if it was marketed in such a way that there was an illusion that Makoni had the support of certain key strongmen/kingmakers from ZANU PF. Many analysts say that ZANU PF have always kept the public guessing. That’s why these so-called strongmen remain an illusion to this day.

A week before the Makoni “split”, Makoni held another secret meeting with Mugabe to add the finishing touches to their plan.

Makoni then went out and told Zimbabwe that he “felt their pain” and called on Zimbabwe to rally behind him and stand as a united front against Mugabe.

The Mutambara MDC splinter faction fell for it almost immediately and naively answered his call. However, within an hour of Mutambara’s irrational announcement, Makoni caused them major embarrassment by saying he would not agree to any alliances. By doing this, Makoni effectively neutralised Mutambara and his splinter faction.

One down and one to go.

The question on many people’s lips is, will Tsvangirai also fall for this deception? To date it seems not. In fact Tsvangirai is keeping his distance.

It is common knowledge that certain western countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, certain Scandinavian countries and Canada are quite prepared to accept a reformed ZANU PF. Mugabe’s minders in South African are well aware of this. South Africa desperately needs the Zimbabwe problem to go away before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. If not, the world cup venue might be in jeopardy if Zimbabwe explodes.

The real dilemma for ZANU PF has been to find a way to repackage Mugabe to become more acceptable to the international community. The realisation is that they can’t, so this is their way of doing it. It kills two birds with one stone by giving Mugabe a safe way out and it also solves the succession issue in such a way as to keep Mugabe safe from prosecution at the Hague.

Known as “Operation Makoni” it forms part of an intricate web of deceit to re-package and give a face-lift for a NEW ZANU PF formation to become more internationally acceptable. The resources of ZANU PF and their jingles in branding Makoni are being done in the classic ZANU PF way. Their propaganda news vehicles are in full flight as they spread dis-information and deception through local and international media.

The sudden announcement of the March election was a deliberate ploy to confuse and rush the opposition into going into this election. Mugabe needed this to happen as part of the deception in order to confuse the real objectives.

Mugabe has already done enough to rig the outcome and has prepared the ground for a “semi” free and fair election that certain Western countries will gladly accept, especially if there is a “coalition government” in place.

Mugabe is being very quiet at the moment. He’s watching the fall-out being generated and he’s playing a waiting game in preparation to further manipulate the situation.

This is Mugabe’s only way out and it is becoming clearer by the day that his “pup” is being well and truly bought by the West.

(Source)

How Mugabe’s men plan to sabotage Simba Makoni’s bid for the Presidency.

ZANU PF’s top operatives are wasting no time in setting out to destroy the Makoni campaign before it even gets off the ground. A high level security meeting was held on Wednesday, plans were formulated, and on Thursday a top secret Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) memo was sent out. As usual I was one of the first to see it.

It’s a chilling document. It emanates from the office of the CIO director general Happyton Bonyongwe, it is coded DG/sm11, and it puts all national and provincial security operatives, spies, thugs and bullyboys on “condition red.”

The memo describes Makoni as “too hot to handle”, says that in challenging Zim1 (CIO code for Mugabe) he is posing a big security risk, and adds that the political atmosphere is charged up, and “citizens are restless and ready to vote out Zim1.”

This last is an extraordinary statement. Apparently the top CIO men believe Mugabe could lose. But they are also intent on making sure it doesn’t happen, by all fair, and as you will see if you read on, by all foul means.

The memo essentially summarises the CIO’s anti-Makoni plans. First, the document instructs: “Be advised to temporarily suspend all minor operations in your provinces for RDWK ahead.”

“RDWK”? That was a new one on me. My CIO source who showed me the memo told me that, almost unbelievably, it stands for “Real dirty work.” That certainly makes sense in the light of what follows.

“Assign your trusted operatives to ensure a tough ride for Makoni… Place Makoni, his financial backers and disgruntled civil servants who might support him under top 24 hour surveillance. Employ all RDWK strategies without restraint. Mobilise street kids in urban areas, hire them, then plant them at all Makoni’s rallies to cause violence. The police will be on hand to arrest rioters. Those arrested will be detained in jails until after the elections.”

“Without restraint” are the key words in the above paragraph. We know what that means. Intimidation, violence, beatings…

And for the first time in my experience this document gives written proof of how ZANU PF uses food aid for its political ends. It reads: “In rural areas keep track on Non-Governmental Organisations when distributing relief food. Ensure that no non-card carrying ZANU PF individual gets food. Feed villagers with any tarnishing information on Makoni that you can think of.”

There is more, too much to be contained in this space. It’s all frightening. We know that Simba Makoni is a man of integrity and intelligence. We will soon find out if he is a man of courage. At least if he reads this - or some of his people read it - then he will know a little of what to expect in the coming weeks.

The elections take place on March 29. Not long to go. Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow citizens, to paraphrase an old Chinese curse, we live in interesting times.

Comments

If Makoni did not anticipate this then he is in the wrong race! Coming from within ZANU PF, he should have expected it: he is not naive! These dirty tactics have been employed before and they are known to all, even me! In fact, it is the fear of these that keep us suppressed. Now that we have a man prepared to challenge the devil all we need to do is support him. Surely that’s not asking too much of nation in such distress as ours!

Posted by: max ngwenya

I think Makoni knows what he is doing. He has more experience on these RDWK and will be able to handle it. What I perceive is the guys who are send to do that RDWK are part of Makoni’s project so this time we will laugh. There is no trust in ZANU PF and this should worry the Zim1 so much and make us, the povo, laugh and smile while ivo vachiurayana zvavo. This year tichaonerera.

Posted by: Nodza

The “discredited dictator” is in a panic mode. He can never fathom himself not being Zim 1 (imagine!). Whatever, happens, even if they steal this election, things are not going to be the same after the elections. What Makoni and Morgan should do is to force the Evil One to steal the election. It has to be so patently clear to anyone that the Old Evil is a Thief! The people of Zimbabwe would have to tell him that enough is enough. How can the whole country suffer because of one Old Rag that has stuck itself to our backs? How did we allow this to happen?

Makoni has opened the way. We have to find the courage to rise and craft our own Zimbabwe of the future. We have formed an organisation known as the Great Zimbabwe Society that has to start now to prepare for capturing power after all this dreaded mess is swept away. If you interested in rebuilding Zimbabwe and restore it as the centre of power, economic prowess, state building - like the Empire of old, watch this space and other fora. We need all the people who are ready to put their shoulders to wheel, the academia, business people, politicians, lawyers, students, farmers, solders and everyone who can contribute. We have to capture power in all sense, political, economic and social.

Posted by: J. Makombe Bukutu

OK - I’m confused. And I suspect I’m not the only one!

On the one hand you said in your earlier blog ‘The men behind Makoni’ that the following are among his cohort: Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, Army Commander Valerio Sibanda, Airforce Commander Perence Shiri, CIO spy agency boss Happyton Bonyongwe, and retired Defence Forces Commander Vitalis Zvinavashe.

If this is true, the Simba Express is indeed starting to look and feel like an alternative gravy train for ZANU’s desperados. And he does not get my vote.

Yet now you claim that the fragrant Happyton is in Zim1’s camp, and that his boys are about to make life tough for the Great Contender.

Please throw some light on this apparent inconsistency. Do we actually KNOW yet that any of the creatures you named earlier have crawled into Simba’s bed?

And if any of your readers would like to join the discussions at the Facebook group called Debate Zimbabwe, that would also be much welcomed.

Thanks!!

Posted by: Bryce Curry

Bruce you will know that all the names I mentioned are indeed behind Makoni but YOU MUST RECKON THAT these guys have a weird master plan that is even puzzling us. Bonyongwe needs to appear relevant to Mugabe while doing a service for Makoni. He needs to be in the system to do that. And very soon you will see the story taking an interesting twist. But my fear like your’s is that these people are like Plebians and are moving with wind. It’s possible that these people who the Makoni camp tell us secretly are with them might actually run to Mugabe as usual when the old man waves his fist at them.

Posted by: Moses Moyo

Why is he really doing this? Because if he doesn’t then ZANU PF is stuck with Mugabe till he turns 92!

(Source)

To: The Cape Argus

Attention: The Editor Mr. C. Whitfield

MDC Bennett: Slam Makoni

Unfortunately when Peta Thornycroft allows her personal animosity towards my political party and its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai to completely distort objective comment, the valued integrity of the Independent Group of Newspapers is jeopardized.

On Sunday 10^th February, this lack of objectivity was there for all to see. Pointedly in the Sunday Times a sober, unemotional assessment of the current crisis in Zimbabwe was presented in a brilliantly balanced article written by a brave group of Zimbabwean non-aligned activists.

Independent Paper Group by contrast, thrust forward the discredited notion that our party should throw in the towel in favour of Simba Makoni and abdicate our responsibility to our supporters.

By your own admission Makoni has been a loyal, long standing member of ZANU PF’s politburo. His record is there for all who care to see. He was silent at the time of Gukurahundi and his overall backers are all the key perpetrators of that massacre. He was complicit and silent at the time rampaging mobs ran through our High Court rendering the rule of law obsolete. He was silent when the Daily News was shut down and the owners and employees were hounded and humiliated. Makoni even sat in on political discussions and never once raised his voice when defenceless Zimbabweans were rendered homeless, in that shameless act of cruelty Operation Murambatsvina. He was silent when business leaders were assaulted and small businesses bankrupted through price controls.

The time for opportunism is not now. The MDC and their people have suffered the brunt of the same regime that through a defend power project of which Makoni was part of, have made the environment ripe for the pickings, as every man and his dog wants change. Makoni and his own are seeking a soft landing for ill gotten gains and human rights abuses, and are now attempting to believe in a need for change.

Our party have one message for Zimbabweans. They know very well which political party’s leaders have suffered with the people in our quest to rid Zimbabwe of Zanu-PF. They have full knowledge of the marginalisation and victimisation and the need for a national integration where one day we can all say an Ndebele can be president. The MDC and its leaders have been murdered, tortured and imprisoned and yet would still win the support of the majority of Zimbabweans in a genuinely free vote. If that is not self evident, and ZANU PF/Makoni are confident of victory why do they refuse to implement the SADC, Mauritian declaration, of norms and standards?

Why do ZANU PF/Makoni refuse to allow me to return to Zimbabwe, when everyone knows that a prerequisite for the resolution of the South African political crisis was amnesty for a range of politicians such as the late Joe Slovo, Chris Hani etc? Rigged elections remain rigged elections. The Zimbabwe crisis will only be resolved when genuinely free and fair elections are held and are confirmed as such by a credible body of international observers.

Yours sincerely,

Roy Bennett

Treasurer General for the MDC

(Source: by email)

As a long-time commentator of all affairs Zimbabwean, I was a little surprised, and then perplexed, at the entry by Simba Makoni into the Presidential race at the end of next month. Probably because Mugabe himself hasn’t seen fit to comment on the announcement by one of his own, a former finance minister in Mugabe’s government.

I have spent the better part of two weeks reading opinions from all and sundry, across the internet, and even now, I find myself confused, wanting and unable to home in on any rational opinion.

That the Zimbabwean people want change, are due change and deserve change is unquestionable. The problem being that what the good people of Zimbabwe want is not necessarily what they get.

Political forces (and I use the words advisedly) are at work in all sectors of the Zimbabwean culture and community, the majority of them negative and sponsored by the Mugabe government.

But let’s talk about Simba Makoni. A mere puppy at 57, Makoni has stepped into the Presidential race and this has not only angered many a politician in ZANU PF, but has also got the country abuzz with rumour, hopefulness and promise. Outside Zimbabwe opinions may be a bit more reserved but the hope still remains.

Is Makoni the man to deliver Zimbabwe from its fate under Mugabe? Will Mugabe actually allow one of his own to contest him in open elections, or is he really a stooge for the ruling party, brought in as a ‘fall guy’ to ‘legitimise’ the election?

The Mutambara-led faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has welcomed Makoni, and has already indicated their willingness to form a coalition with him, their leader deciding not to stand for President, preferring to make way for Makoni.

The Tsvangirai-led faction of the MDC, decidedly the bigger of the two factions, has announced that their leader will stand for President. This is not the first time that Tsvangirai has been in this much-vaunted position. It is believed that he beat Mugabe in a straight count-out in 2002, but that political sleight of hand and an determined misruling by the High Court in Zimbabwe denied Tsvangirai the right to rule the nation.

And since that time we have seen the lights of Zimbabwe dim, and go out. Millions of her people have fled the homeland - either because of political oppression, or out of economic need – or the people just needed to get away from Mugabe’s rule - like my immediate family.

Tsvangirai, in Johannesburg this week, stated in an address that anyone who is anti-Mugabe is an ideal candidate for standing in an election opposite Mugabe. But at the same time, he reminded those he addressed that Makoni has been a member of the ruling party’s politburo for many years and is, therefore, by commission or omission, guilty of the same evils visited upon the people by the Mugabe administration.

Tsvangirai welcomed Makoni to the political ‘sharp end’ stating that many an opposition activist in Zimbabwe has experienced Mugabe’s terror first-hand - in the form of arrest, torture and incarceration.

Tsvangirai was accused some time back of planning the assassination of Mugabe and was brought to court on charges of treason, but the State case fell to pieces when one of their key witnesses failed to remember the script. Tsvangirai was cleared.

But he is still the object of much of Mugabe’s brutality. Last March Tsvangirai was hospitalised along with many members of his party, when a payer meeting was turned into an orgy of violence by the ZRP, the CIO, war veterans and youth militia.

Who can forget the photographs of Tsvangirai lying in a hospital bed with a cracked skull, or Lovemore Madhuku of the NCA with a broken arm, Grace Kwinjeh and Sekai Holland lying in hospital beds, their bodies beaten black and blue by Mugabe’s thugs?

And Mugabe praised his armed forces and the militant arms of his political party for the beating they handed out - on international television! And threatened to have it done again!

Tsvangirai told Makoni that he will, no doubt, experience the ruling party’s hand of terror before the election was done. And this was no threat. This is the reality of opposition politics in Zimbabwe.

I note that Mugabe himself remains tight-lipped about Makoni’s announcement to join the fray.

Is this because Mugabe is beside himself with rage, or is it because the Makoni question is another ZANU PF ploy to fool the already bewildered and broken public?

In the week before Makoni’s announcement, Mugabe and Makoni met and Mugabe reportedly ‘crushed’ the idea of a rebellion from within his own ranks. (Just how you ‘crush’ a rebellion in a straight sit down chat, I will probably never discover…) The following Tuesday, Makoni surprised many people with his announcement. The ruling party took a few days to deliberate amongst themselves and then issued a statement that Makoni had “expelled himself” from ZANU PF… Makoni rejects that, stating that he has done nothing that is covered by the ruling party’s constitution that warrants his expulsion.

Makoni maintains that he is still ZANU PF - but I feel that people would be happier if he were to fight an independent campaign.

One thing that has come out into the public domain since Makoni decided to oppose Mugabe, is that he has the backing of two former military supremos - namely Solomon Mujuru (husband of the second Vice President, Joice Mujuru) and Vitalis Zvinavashe. It is known and acknowledged that Solomon Mujuru exercises quite a bit of power from his former subordinates. He also enjoys a large following from the war veterans - used many times by Mugabe to bring terror and chaos to the people of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe would be left in the cold if his former fighters were to abandon him and give their support to Makoni/Mujuru/Zvinavashe. This is underlined in a report today that the Mugabe government is intent on repossessing over 1400 farms from veterans who have failed to produce any crops. The war veterans have stated that that will never happen and that they are prepared to fight for the land which they fought the chimurenga for…

That ‘his’ veterans are prepared to fight his government for the land – whilst his senior administration own farms which lie fallow and unworked - will displease and worry Mugabe, whilst empowering the perceived Makoni support.

Today, it emerges that Mujuru has been held under house arrest by the CIO and that he is under suspicion of fraud. I find it questionable that the Mugabe government should decide to bring charges against one of their own (Mujuru also sits on the politburo - ZANU PF’s decision making body) and that those charges relate to dishonesty.

Rather like the statement in the Bible… “Let him amongst you that is without sin cast the first stone.”

Mugabe’s government lost the right to accuse anyone of any crime until such time as they clean up their own act and make good the wrongs of the past.

And we are all aware that Mugabe will never admit any wrong. Not now, not ever.

Mugabe’s words are his biggest tool. And he uses that tool often, but sadly chooses to repeat accusations against the West instead of attending to the real root of the problem - his own rule.

Zimbabwe is the only country in the world where you can be charged in a criminal court for agreeing with Mugabe… (Mugabe calls himself “Hitler - tenfold”, but his police force took a woman to court for calling Mugabe “Hitler”!)

In respect of Mugabe’s treatment of his own people, let u take a quick look at his treatment of the Matabele tribe since he took office.

The Gukurahundi - the unleashing of the Korean-trained Fifth Brigade on the people that Mugabe most hated, accusing them of supporting the dissidents. The dissidents were a result of his own cadres forcing the men either out of the new National Army, or pushing them into positions that they were unable to maintain - but this escapes the ruling party’s attentions. The divisions within the Army were on tribal gounds.

Something in the order of thirty thousand people were killed by the Fifth Brigade before Mugabe finally called time - decided by the signing of the Unity Accord with Joshua Nkomo in 1987.

Nkomo was appointed as a Vice President of Zimbabwe, and many Ndebele feel he sold them out. Nkomo died of cancer in July 1999.

Neither Mugabe nor any member of his armed forces, including the officer commanding the Fifth Brigade, Perence Shiri, a relative of Mugabe, have ever been brought to book for these activities. Mugabe has refused to apologise for the Gukurahundi, stopping short by calling it merely a “moment of madness”.

Many hundreds of families in Matabeleland live in poverty as the breadwinner in their families was killed at that time.

More recently Mugabe refused to declare an emergency in the southern provinces of Matabeleland with regard to water. At one time the province was down to less than one day’s supply of water. Mugabe is the only person in the country with the necessary authority to declare such an emergency.

Many years ago, Mugabe’s government stated that the country would be ‘better off’ being of only six million in number. At that time there was talk of the Matabele being somehow wiped off the face of the map. Mugabe has always treated the Southern half of the country and its people with disdain.

Joshua Nkomo’s party was absorbed into ZANU PF and only mere remnants of that party remain, but at least where they are, they state their case. ZAPU lives on, if only in name.

Whilst all this was happening, where was Makoni? During the chimurenga - the bloody and bitter bush war against Ian Smith’s unilaterally independent Rhodesia - he was studying at University in the United Kingdom. Not very long after independence, at the grand old age of 30, Makoni was appointed to Mugabe’s cabinet. Although he had a rather public falling out with Mugabe that cost him his ministerial position, Makoni has been a key member of the politburo for many more years than we can shake a stick at.

So - if he was always intent on standing against Mugabe in the Presidential race, why wait until now? Was his announcement that he would oppose Mugabe something like political suicide? Believe me, if Makoni loses the election, there will be no place for him in Zimbabwe ever again - even as a law-abiding member of the public…

People question the timing. They also question the lack of any team behind Makoni. He claims that many senior and powerful members with Mugabe’s government are behind him, but as yet we are none the wiser as to whom these individuals are.

If Makoni were to win the election, would we as Zimbabweans be happy with a President (seen as somewhat of a rebel) and a sitting government representing another party? Has he really got a team behind him, or, in the event of his winning, would we only then see those loyal to him crawl out of the wordwork?

Others ask if this is not another sleight of hand by Mugabe? We all know that he bullied the opposition to give him the required support to pass the latest constitutional amendment (and then pulled out of the mediated talks, leaving the MDC with little or nothing for their ten months of negotiation) which would allow Mugabe to name his own successor.

There have been many objections to this, but the more objections, the more determined Mugabe was to have this amendment passed.

Is Makoni not really Mugabe’s chosen successor, just worked so that he (Makoni) is made to look like the messiah, when, in actual fact he is Mugabe’s man all along?

It sounds very convoluted, by it is not beyond Mugabe who is renowned for pulling the most audacious moves within government in Zimbabwe. Mugabe has such power within his own party that his word is law, and very few people who oppose him survive in the political world thereafter.

There are, however, a few exceptions. Jonathan Moyo, for example. But he is in the political wilderness as opposed to the political scrap heap.

Mugabe has many enemies and most of them he has neatly tied up within his own administration, giving credence to the saying “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”.

As Zimbabweans, we must never be surprised at any move by Mugabe. Ten to one any move is designed to empower his position. Nothing is done for the good of anyone else.

Mugabe uses the good manners and common sense of others to commit heinous crimes against his own people, and we should be aware that the Makoni question will only be answered when, and if, he were to win the Presidential election. Unless and until that happens, we may never know the true nature of Makoni’s rise to the challenge.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man
14th February 2008