As I’ve mentioned before, with a subscriber base of over 5000 people, Kubatana receives a wealth of varied information. Much of it makes sense. So here I share with you an email sent to us today discussing the fact that on the ground in Zimbabwe nothing much has changed for ordinary citizens while the negotiating politicians plunder their minibars in South African hotels.

A sharp example of the violence that continues to haunt Zimbabweans is the recent abduction and beating of University of Zimbabwe student activist Tafadzwa Mugwadi. He was on his way home last night when he was forced into a car, taken to the Kopje area in Harare and assaulted by a gang of men who accused him of having trained Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) polling agents.

In the words of a Kubatana subscriber . . .

Change needs to be fundamental. And for ordinary Zimbabweans that would equate to the Total Eradication of Fear that is by now so ingrained in all sectors of our Society that we seem paralysed by it. People are still even afraid to take down mugabe posters for Gods Sake!

Although zanu is making gestures of arresting the odd person for supposedly perpetrating violence – the Real Instigators of the serious violence and murders which occurred soon after the March Elections have yet to be made accountable. It is very doubtful whether this will ever happen because it would mean that key zanu enforcers would have to be arrested and they would then have to forfeit their Council and M.P. seats – these are the people who are responsible. So until these serious offenders are arrested and charged for their crimes the fear that their very presence invokes in the people remains.

Although some militia camps are breaking up and dispersing of their own accord, no admission of their existence has come from zanu. Nor has there been any order for them to disband. No order has gone out from anywhere to tell the police to arrest people who have been implicated in political violence. The Police seem willing, in some cases, to do the right thing but are hesitant without clear orders.

The army still has not been removed from the “lines” in the rural areas – sure they are no longer playing such a visible roll, but they are still there – still quietly threatening, still perpetuating fear. The rank and file of the army have still not been stood down from the so-called threat of an imminent invasion from Botswana – this state of “readiness” prevents the average soldier dwelling on his own miserable existence. One can almost feel the JOC commanders plotting daily – trying to come up with a plan so that they will not have to relinquish their power. From everywhere come the whispers of their persistent, obstinate stance that there is no way they will serve under Tsvangirai.

* The little food aid that is out there is still controlled by government through the “Headman’s Lists”
* Chombo has also appointed 10 zpf councillors to every council throughout the country
* The local media is still run by zpf – still spewing out propaganda by the hour
* The Judicial system is still a total farce with the 4 senior prosecutors and the Judges receiving huge kick-backs and manipulating the courts

On the ground the reality is that nothing has changed and if the MDC and the International Community are hoodwinked into thinking that progress has been made they will be making a serious error.

zanu is so desperate for a deal that they are making small compromises in line with the Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) to try and deceive everyone that this veneer is enough to get what they want. If the MDC were to be rushed into the signing a compromise it will be a grave mistake. zanu are real snakes.

Remember that zanu’s only power base is the government institutions and the weapon of fear that it uses through them. Tsvangirai’s power base is the people of Zimbabwe. We see zanu consulting with their power base. Are we taking these talks seriously? We are holding all the cards, let’s not be rushed into anything – it is obvious zanu is pushing for a quick deal – why? They know they have no bargaining power.

Are the MDC going to make concessions by being manipulated and for the perceived need for “self-preservation”? Is Tsvangirai and his negotiating team going to ask for ratification of any negotiations and concessions from the people, his power base, before he signs our lives away?

We certainly hope so – in fact we demand it!

This entry was posted on August 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm by Bev Clark and is filed under Activism, Elections 2008, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.