A recent statement from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition reminds us of this quotation from Robert Mugabe at Zimbabwe’s independence:

“Democracy is never mob rule. It is and should remain disciplined rule requiring compliance with the law and social rules. Our independence must thus not be construed as an instrument vesting individuals or groups with the rights to harass and intimidate others into acting against their will.” – Robert Mugabe, April 17, 1980

Read more from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

Some of our SMS subscribers do – But not all of them! We asked them this very question, and here are a few of their replies:

• Plenty of Egyptian. Would need plenty of camaraderie
• Thanx . As activists, we are monitoring the Egypt crisis. Pro Mubarak are now disturbing the wave of change, If others can change, can we? Yes we can!
• That’s the stuff  im made of , together we can do it
• Yaah full of Egyptian spirit
• Yes Egyptian style acceptable here. I think the real face of Africans has been exposed, need for blacks and muslims to uprise against dictators
• I don’t do it the Egyptian way, I do it through the ballot, It is more civilised.
• It started in Tunisia , now in Egypt, who is next
• Sorry, this naturally not the land of the Pharoahs!
• The Egyptians have shown us we can do the same here if we stand together and speak with one voice even with the threat of live bullets. I’m ready!
• The Egyptian revolution is very interesting and a clear warning to other tyrants that their days are also numbered. Dictators always fall with a bang. God bless Egypt!

As Bev blogged the other day, in a recent meeting Harare East residents argued that if the government of Zimbabwe made land available for free under the land reform program then why should a dead corpse be made to buy land from the City of Harare?

We thought they had a point, so we asked our SMS subscribers for their opinion.

The 100+ responses fell broadly into two camps, with about 30% of respondents suggesting that charging for a burial plot was fair – the belief being that these funds should go to servicing the cemeteries, paying grounds people, and so forth.

Unfortunately, many Zimbabweans have lost a lot confidence in their government and elected officials – and thus are cynical about whether burial fees would be appropriately used. This is one of the reasons why around 70% of respondents agreed with the Harare East residents, that there should be no charge for burial plots.

Responses seemed to divide cleanly along the lines of whether the respondent thought the money would get put to relevant use – and not pocketed or politicised. Thus, it’s worrying that 70% of respondents were opposed to the charging of burial fees; it suggests that 70% are also sceptical about the integrity of government and our elected officials.

Read a sampling of replies below:

• I think they must pay since that land needs to be serviced, but the rates must be affordable.
• If land was given for free, this also means grave yards are also land. So land is for free. Corpses should not pay.
• My answer is City of Harare have no right to charge them. Burial fees because the land was given free. They mustn’t search for money with an axe on their shoulder.
• We have to understand that our leaders are gold diggers. We must not pay for the dead. Never.
• Grave yards need to be maintained so payments is required.
• Land Reform Act: free land yes I don’t think we pay for the land but for the service done by City Council, however they should cut the current cost to half thus how I think.
• I think burial fees must be paid because that piece of land will never be used again.
• We are not supposed buy land for burial if land is ours.
• How can dead person pay something?
• It’s right to pay for all services in the city. It’s not right to extend the land issue to things like these.
• Free land, free burial.
• If land was parcelled out for free during land reform, then burial should be free, after all the fund won’t benefit residents no charges for your birthright please!
• Is it not a way to raise revenues? Also I’m not aware of the city’s by-laws.
• People are cheated and robbed of their hard earned cash in broad daylight.
• They should not pay.
• I think that’s a challenging question to their MP. These guys take people for a ride. They use people for them to benefit. It’s bad.
• In fact the sense’s not about land but its all about fundraising of the city council. That’s where they get their salaries. That’s what l think.

I’ve just watched this amazing video of Egypt’s 25 January Day of Anger protests. In the face of an oncoming water cannon one man turns and stands before it, blocking the spray and inspiring others to also stand up to it.

If I got rid of my demons I’d lose my angels
- Tennessee Williams

In the office we’ve been speaking about the value of public opinion and public confidence – and how difficult it can be to regain these precious intangibles once they’re lost. In addition to public confidence in a person, organisation or political party, there is also the question of confidence in a process and faith in social institutions. When you go and vote – despite the risks and your own sense of fear – and that vote is then disregarded for a political settlement instead of an elected outcome, what damage does this do to your faith in the country’s democratic institutions? How can this ever be repaired? And until it’s repaired, what point is there in continuing to hold elections?

We shared Upenyu’s piece Why should I vote? with our email subscribers today, and I include one of the replies below. What’s the difference between apathy and laziness? And between apathy and a calculated assessment that because one’s action is disregarded, it makes more sense not to act.

I have voted consistently since I became eligible to vote and my first vote was cast in the referendum of 2000. My father always says you should not complain about the state of affairs in your country if you do not do something. So I figured I would make my voice heard through the ballot since I was not brave enough to march in the streets or be a war vet.

I am fast losing hope in the power of my voice being heard through the ballot. I went to vote in 2008 with heart pounding and ID concealed so that the youths who were beating drums and chanting slogans at a nearby party office would not know that l was going to cast my vote without being vetted. Two years later after the formation of the inclusive government and the performance of both parties in govt, I am tempted to agree with Upenyu and throw in the towel. I guess l will just leave everything in God’s hands and hope for the best.

Lazybones.