[I believe what we are seeing here is Black-on-Black DECEPTION. This is quite bizarre. But I think something deeper is cooking here. The ANC’s two allies: S.African Communist Party and COSATU, are both appearing to stand against Mugabe. As utterly bizarre as this action appears, it may be part of a bigger plan. The ANC does not exist in isolation. It is part of the Tripartite Alliance – which is basically the bigger communist structure which it is part of. The 3 elements of that alliance ALWAYS work firmly together. It could be that this is why COSATU and SACP are [mock?] criticising Mugabe… while the ANC in Govt… stands firmly by Mugabe. It could be… to help try to keep the faith of BLACKS in South Africa… so that they continue to believe in our “democratic principles”.

Personally… I don’t see any of this as being other than a lot of talk, talk, talk – which will ultimately lead to nothing… and in the end… Mugabe will win, and all the South African groups (Tripartite alliance, et al) will walk away… leaving Mugabe in power. Nothing CONCRETE will actually be done.

I do believe… segments of this alliance, like COSATU, are trying to befriend the renegage Trade Union elements in Zimbabwe which make up the opposition to Mugabe.

I believe this merely a lot of POLITICAL DECEPTION… to mask the fact that deep down, the Tripartite Alliance is firmly on Mugabe’s side. I think this is part of a bigger act, to draw in Zimbabwe’s opposition, to befriend COSATU and the SACP. Later… when the time is right… COSATU and the SACP will stand back and allow the MDC in Zimbabwe to be slaughtered. To me… this is black-on-black deception. Power to them… I certainly couldn’t give half a hoot who wins… all I know is Mugabe will come out of this tops – in the end. Jan]

IN A stark warning ahead of Zimbabwe™s elections next month, the South African Communist Party (SACP) says democracy in the region will be at risk if leaders of neighbouring states œdilly-dally on the issue of a free and fair poll.

Referring to a proposed Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer mission, the SACP said œa bland and less-than-honest assessment of the elections by SADC would œsend a message to our own mass base (and the global community) that our commitment to democratic principles is (152)˜negotiable™ .

In a statement issued yesterday after a weekend meeting of its central committee, the party said mild criticism or approval of the poll would œencourage Zanu (PF) to think that it can steal future elections. This would also œmake a nonsense of the seriousness with which SADC takes its own guidelines and principles.

Although the party stopped short of enthusiastic support for the plan by its ally the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) to blockade the Beitbridge border post, its statement will keep pressure on its African National Congress (ANC) allies to use their influence on President Robert Mugabe.

The SACP statement also coincided with confirmation that a planned SADC task team made up of legal experts would not visit the country ahead of the poll to assess whether SADC guidelines for the election were being followed.

SADC™s secretariat said on Friday that after consultations between SA, as the chair of SADC™s organ on politics, defence and security, and Zimbabwe œit was agreed that there was no need for a team of legal experts to visit the country at this stage.

The SACP said it was an œobvious fact that, in the short space of time that remains, there will not be effective compliance with SADC principles and guidelines.

SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said there should be no œdilly-dallying by governments on the matter of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

In 2002 SADC gave approval to the Zimbabwean poll despite evidence of widespread intimidation and unfair practices in its run-up, which were noted by other delegations including that of SADC parliamentarians.

Nzimande said that œin principle we will support solidarity action by Cosatu, but it would have to discuss the details of the planned blockade. While the party, which has about 30000 paid-up members, is much smaller than either the ANC or Cosatu, it is sometimes influential in pushing issues within the alliance.

The SACP said it rejected the idea of sanctions on Zimbabwe œfor the moment as this would be a high-risk strategy that could play into the hands of œretrograde elements in Zimbabwe.

Nzimande said the focus of SADC policy should be to look beyond the elections and ensure the parties talk to each other.

The central committee pointed out that the newly appointed Zimbabwean Independent Electoral Commission was not in place, the voters™ roll was finalised before the new body was set up and harassment of the opposition continues.

The committee also pointed out that the SADC delegation, which should be in the country 90 days ahead of the poll, had not yet been invited.

Source: Business Day
URL: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstor…/p>