Categories

‘Zimbabwe Today’ by Robb WJ Ellis (07-03-2008)

WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.

Original Post Date: 2008-03-07 Time: 00:00:00  Posted By: The BeardedMan

Howzit

Foreign currency mid-rates updated…

-o00o-

First of all, on an entirely personal note…

About 4 years ago, my wife and I helped a fellow Zimbabwean through a rather nasty divorce. We opened our home and hearts to him.

The pay back? Last night our neighbour rang our doorbell and told us that a debt collection company had telephoned him and asked him to identify who lived next door… they were looking for this individual.

It is sad to know that there are Zimbabweans who care not who they hurt, how they hurt and what legacy they leave behind. I have a shrewd idea where this individual lives and works in the UK – and, in the event of bailiffs knocking on my door, I will happily pass on that information.

And will have no qualms in publishing this individual’s name. In the forlorn hope that the person concerned reads this, I sincerely hope that you will see your way clear to contact those that you owe money to and take my family and address out of the equation.

But I rather think that my words are wasted…

-o00o-

Readers will hopefully remember the story which I commented upon last week about the invasion of Digby and Jess Nesbitt’s farm in Chiredzi. You will also recall that the policeman who leads the invaders has a penchant for sitting at the dining room table with a selection of firearms on the table in front of him.

He has already threatened Jess with a firearm. And he was accompanied by 14 green bombers.

Ready for more?

Last week we carried the first part of Digby and Jessie Nesbitt's nightmare tale of the invasion of their home by Assistant Police Commissioner Veterai and his gang of green bombers.

Here, we continue their story of threat, harassment and fear.

Veterai carried his pistol with him at all times but whenever he arrived back from Harare, normally late at night, he always carried his folding AK47 machine gun too. He seemed fearful that we would harm him and always locked his bedroom door.

Our staff were prevented from coming to work for two days by the green bombers. Our maid, Chipo, was crying constantly and suffering severe headaches. She had also been chased away from her house in December and was having to share a room with a friend.

And the authorities just ignore the events. Is justice only for ZANU PF? Do the people of Zimbabwe – the very people that Mugabe relies on to vote them back into power – have no rights whatsoever?

The story continues…

On the Saturday, we had a few visitors during the morning, which we really appreciated as the visitors brought us groceries and because it was such a pleasure to see some friendly faces.

While we were talking, the green bombers and Veterai's relatives were playing music loudly, trying to irritate us.That evening, while we were sitting on the steps outside the lounge with our doctor and his wife, men dressed in army uniforms appeared with a group of people in ordinary clothes. The next moment, we saw crates of beer, liquor and coke being carried into the lounge – obviously, a big party was being planned for that night. We knew we were in for a night of intimidation.

I have read stories of the arrogance of the Nazis when Germany invaded Poland, Belgium and France – and have not problem in drawing a parallel with these events in Zimbabwe.

Why bother having a Constitution, laws or a judiciary?

By Tuesday, our lawyers in Masvingo had managed to draw up a court order to have Veterai evicted from the farm until the court case on March 10. The court order stated that he had to evacuate the farm with immediate effect and that he could not come within 30 metres of the farm. Needless to say, this was totally ignored and nothing happened.

Whilst the invasion of the farm may be very upsetting, and it causes me some great concern, the Nesbitts have found some support from unexpected quarters.

I just want to mention that we had incredible support from many blacks as well as whites. We had many visits and phone calls from black friends and people we hardly knew, which we really appreciated.

On the Saturday afternoon, we were in their bedroom when the dogs started barking madly. We saw two men walking past the bedroom, and one was carrying a gun. It was a false alarm – only our groom who was bringing the war veteran, called Satan, from the farm next door. Satan had come to say he was on our side and did not want us to leave their farm.

Satan, a genuine war vet, had lived next door for around six years and said that all the local veterans supported us and did not want Veterai taking over the farm. He said that Veterai had approached him and other war vets in the area and asked them to help jambanja us, but they had refused out of respect for us. He said he knew how much we had done for the community in the Lowveld, including building an orphanage in Chiredzi, now home to 47 orphans. We also built a clinic on the farm, which had helped many people over the years, but was now occupied by some of Veterai's staff.

How does Mugabe justify this behaviour by one of his policemen? Or has he become so paranoid that he is past caring?

I have a tremendous respect for Digby and Jess – although they would probably not remember me from when I lived and worked in Chiredzi – and I find their braveness in the face of such repression and provocation truly amazing. All I can do is let the world know what is happening, and somehow convey my support to both Digby and Jess. These are two incredible people.

Be strong.

-o00o-

Over the last 5 weeks, we have read all over the internet, stories that question and study the Makoni question. I find nothing new in his manifesto, but remain entranced at just who his supporters are.

So far only one big gun has publicly declared his alliance to Makoni.

Two others – former military supremos – have shied away from the spotlight, one denying any aspirations in a statement. I do wonder just what Makoni’s intentions are – or are those that back him playing a blind game – intending to only show their support if, and when, Makoni defeats Mugabe…

The city, which has always played second fiddle to the capital Harare, has become a hotbed of opposition politics.

Independent candidate Simba Makoni, who is now considered President Robert Mugabe’s strongest challenger in the March 29 elections, launched his presidential campaign in the city last Saturday.

Opposition leader Arthur Mutambara, who has publicly stated that he is behind Makoni, took to the stage the following day. But it is this Saturday that everyone is watching. Morgan Tsvangirai, founding president of the Movement for Democratic Change, the man most people say President Mugabe is watching, will be addressing a rally at White City Stadium, venue of the two earlier rallies.“

Mugabe probably has little to worry over Makoni, knowing that, on face value at least, he (Mugabe) has the support of his government and with it the votes of the population. Not that I believe that. The only way Mugabe can win again is for the ballot to be rigged.

I cannot see the majority of voting Zimbabweans WANTING to return Mugabe to power. Not after the damage his rule has caused. Not after all the unhappiness, the deaths, the poverty, the stripping of the people’s dignity…

President Mugabe has so far not announced when he will be in Bulawayo. He kicked off his tour in Manicaland, Tsvangirai and Makoni’s home province, moved on to Mashonaland East, the only province that publicly declined to endorse his presidential nomination in 2006.

Nothing has so far been heard about the fourth presidential hopeful, Langton Towungana’s campaign.“

-o00o-

And whilst we wait for Makoni’s supposed backers to reveal themselves, two public figures in Zimbabwe have come out fighting against Makoni.

The first was Mugabe’s former Information Minister, Jonathan Moyo…

Simba Makoni is giving the people of Zimbabwe an independent candidate when what the people want is a united front of all progressive forces.”

The former ZANU PF government spokesman, speaking at the Harare Quill Club on Wednesday night, said although he had succeeded as an independent MP in Tsholotsho, he thought Makoni would not win as an independent in the March 29 elections.

He said: “I am an independent candidate myself and people would expect me to be saying very nice things about Simba Makoni. But I have not allowed myself to get carried away by that achievement. My situation is different because I don't intend to form a government.“

Moyo is not very complimentary about Makoni, but at least he didn’t brand him a ‘prostitute’ as Mugabe chose to do…

Politics is about being part of a group. A President cannot be stand alone. A President should be a member of a group with formal structures, obligations and principles. It's different when you want to be an MP for a constituency like Tsholotsho. When you say you are an independent and you are in alliance with the people of Zimbabwe, saying you will form a national authority, you scare some of us.

Makoni's people have said they only want to change the bus driver. But Zimbabweans are saying they want more than that. They want a new driver and a damn new bus and maybe even a new destination.

Last week I heard a rumour that the front man in the Makoni campaign, Kudzai Mbudzi, was a senior member of the Fifth Brigade responsible for the atrocities against the Matabele people in the 1980’s.

Moyo also said he was concerned that some of the individuals spearheading the Makoni project were unrepentant former 5 Brigade operatives who had been involved in the senseless killing of innocent people in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the early 80's during what is known as Gukurahundi.

Retired Major Kudzai Mbudzi, a top official in the Makoni project, as a member of the North Korean-trained 5 Brigade which was involved in the massacre of an approximated 20,000 people during the military incursion, it is claimed.

Moyo said: “Whoever said the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know was speaking from experience. An opportunity to change things has been squandered. But I don't think that an aspiring president standing as an independent represents much of an alternative.“

-o00o-

The second person to speak out against Makoni is Lovemore Madhuku of the NCA…

The emergence of the Simba Makoni “initiative/project” has raised justifiable questions about the direction of the continuing quest by Zimbabweans to end the dictatorship of the ZANU PF regime and usher in a genuinely democratic dispensation.

One such question is: how should civic society relate to the initiative? More fundamentally, should it be the business of civic society organisations to pronounce their preferences among contesting presidential aspirants?“

Madhuku spends some time looking at the possible ramifications of a Makoni victory, as well as looking at it from the possibility that Makoni is just, as I call it, the “acceptable” face of ZANU PF…

The founding stone of the initiative is the March 29 harmonised election. The planners believe that on March 29, Makoni will capture power from President Robert Mugabe through an electoral process presided over by none other than the President himself.

To them, the reason why President Mugabe is still in power is because those who have challenged him in previous elections did it prematurely and lacked the requisite credentials, support and strategies.

The time has now come, a person with the requisite credentials has been found and the support from appropriate circles is also available. According to them, President Mugabe is a democrat who respects electoral processes and will hand power to whoever is elected on March 29.

Mugabe has already stated that he will not accept an MDC victory. He didn’t say what he would do in the event of a Makoni victory.

Senior members of his armed forces have stated that they will salute neither Makoni nor Tsvangirai if either of them were to win. The officers are quick to point out that neither Mugabe rival have any chimurenga pedigree. But is that really a valid prerequisite for the new leader of Zimbabwe, assuming that Mugabe loses?

Makoni and his backers believe that peaceful street protests, stay aways and grassroots meetings advocating fundamental reforms such as a new, democratic and people driven constitution are inappropriate and misguided. All that matters is a carefully planned electoral strategy that “ambushes” (President) Mugabe and takes power away from him through the ballot.

The response to this approach is simple: the March 29, elections are being conducted under a defective constitution whose raison d’etre is to preserve the status quo. Elections under the current constitution cannot deliver change whatever the credentials of the contestants and however sophisticated their strategies.

Until Zimbabweans put their energies together and push the current regime to embrace a genuine and people-driven reform process that leads to a democratic constitution, power will not change hands through a mere election. Participation in the elections on March 29 cannot be for the purpose of winning power. It can only be for any other good reasons.“

I have questioned, many times before today, just where Makoni expects to glean his support. He has a skeletal structure in support, but claims to have the supports of as yet unnamed ZANU PF heavies – whilst also claiming he has grassroots support.

His manifesto launch was played out to a crowd one sixth (at least) of the size of the crowd that Tsvangirai addressed the same day. Does that itself not tell us something?

A vote for Tsvangirai’s presidential bid is a statement against a “reformed ZANU PF” agenda. It is important that this statement be made against Simba Makoni and his group because their set of beliefs distorts our post-election agenda of a total assault against the system. This group does not believe in transformation – all they want is to replace (President) Mugabe. These ZANU PF reformists have no post election agenda because they only have one plan: to win and govern. They are irrelevant in a post-election setting focusing on transformation. They do not believe in our methods. Fortunately, because of our grassroots presence, March 29 will show that the overwhelming majority of Zimbabweans support a total transformation of the system presided over by (President) Mugabe and not a mere tinkering with it.

Which falls in line with my determination that Makoni is either a Mugabe plant, or an out-and-out opportunist. Either way, Makoni grabbing control would not heal Zimbabwe – but would probably tear it asunder…

-o00o-

The British government on Thursday expressed regret at Zimbabwe's refusal to allow European Union (EU) observers to its elections but said countries allowed to the polls bore responsibility to assess whether they meet international norms.

Zimbabwe, which in 2002 expelled the leader of an EU election observer team forcing the bloc to withdraw the entire mission and impose sanctions against President Robert Mugabe and his top officials, has said only friendly countries and groups will be invited to the month-end polls.

Such friendly countries have in the past declared Zimbabwe elections free and fair despite politically motivated violence and gross human rights abuses in the run-up to polls.

The EU and most major Western nations that have in the past accused Mugabe of violating human rights and stealing elections are not invited the March 29 presidential, parliamentary and council polls.

Simple question: Why would Mugabe disallow the EU to observe?

Simple answer: Because Mugabe only want ‘sympathetic’ observers to monitor the elections so that the regional leaders can pronounce the elections ‘free and fair’ – even before the results are in…

We regret that the government of Zimbabwe has not invited the EU to observe the elections formally,” said Apsara McNaught, media and public affairs officer at the British High Commission in South Africa.

She added: “Those who are invited to observe have a key responsibility in assessing whether the elections meet international norms and standards including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) principles and guidelines concerning elections, of which Zimbabwe is a signatory.

Look up the word ‘cheat’ and hopefully there will be a picture of Mugabe next to the definition…

-o00o-

Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe now trusts no-one and is sidelining his top army and intelligence officers whom he suspects of involvement in Simba Makon's bid to oust him in presidential elections later this month, say senior ZANU PF sources.

The sources say that Mugabe is relying on junior officers or brigadiers to report to him instead of the army chiefs. Director-general of the Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO, Happyton Bonyongwe, and his deputies have also not been spared. Their junior intelligence officers are now said to be reporting directly to Mugabe.

Bonyongwe might face the axe because Mugabe is no longer sure where his allegiance lies, given his close links to former army commander General Solomon Mujuru, believed to be the chief architect of the Makoni project, say the sources. CIO director Elias Kanengoni – convicted of the attempted murder of political activist Patrick Kombayi in 1990 – is tipped to take over from Bonyongwe.

Kanengoni and his accomplice, ZANU PF youth Kizito Chivamba, were sentenced to an effective seven years behind bars for shooting and injuring Kombayi, then the national organising secretary of the now-defunct Zimbabwe Unity Movement, ZUM.

However, the pair never spent a single minute behind bars as Mugabe immediately pardoned them.

Mugabe sure knows how to pick them.

And of course they will be faithful anf loyal to Mugabe – he ensured that when he pardoned them…

When we read stories like this, we soon realise that what we see publicly – and what goes on behind closed doors with ZANU PF are absolute worlds apart.

Although the army chiefs’ tenures were extended, they are still being linked to the Makoni election challenge, which claims to have the backing of at least 90 per cent of ZANU PF's politburo members and senior army and top central intelligence officers who want to oust the 84-year-old leader.

It is not clear why Air Marshal Perence Shiri's term of office, which expires in April, was not extended together with other service chiefs but he is believed to be a close ally of Mujuru. Both hail from the same rural area in Chikomba in Mashonaland East.

The tenures of General Constantine Chiwenga, chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, and Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, Zimbabwe National Army commander, were extended to 2013.

Let us remember that Perence Shiri – brother-in-law to Mugabe – was the Officer Commending the Fifth Brigade. This man has yet to pay for the atrocities committed by the men under his command.

How I look forward to that day…

-o00o-

Take care.

‘debvhu

Source: http://thebeardedman.blogspot.com/2008/03/friday-7th-march-2008.html