reakaway faction of the 100% MDC party, so they should stop making noises. The people are repossessing their rightful assets, which are currently in wrong hands. It is those who jump out of the ship who, but not the ship. Stop this cry-baby attitude because people are no longer confused about who is the genuine MDC. Mr Thunder, Glen Norah
We are guilty
EDITOR – Guilty! This is the verdict of most Zimbabweans, including myself. Each one of us has indirectly or directly failed to influence the fate of Zimbabwe. We have in a way encouraged or influenced corruption, poor governance, tribalism and self- destruction. It is the position of every citizen of a nation to make sure the attributes of a democratic society are maintained. However some are more guilty, for indeed some are guilty through ignorance, while for some it’s through vile, deliberate, cunning, greedy and pure intent evil. Let it be known to every one: Being in a position of power;
Being in a position to influence change; Being able to advocate good governance;
Being able to stop starvation; Being able to stop economic and forced exile;
Being able to stop corruption; Being able to encourage freedom of press;
Being able to help; It is a crime not to do so! The state of being guilty is worse for those in power.
FJM, London
Listen to grassroots
EDITOR – When “The Drums Start Beating”, as they did this week, then it is time to
stop and listen. They made more sense than I have heard for years and years ,and that is saying something because I am 86 years old. For over 30 years I lived in Zambia, at one time serving in Kaunda’s government as Acting Commissioner for Land Settlement, so I do know what I am talking about.
Always, always what is important is not the pompous statements of the president and his politicians, it is the passion of the poor. That is what Jesus was saying when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He said it then, and He keeps on saying it now. Zimbabwe’s “rich” consistently exclude her rural people from the “productive process”. Jesus from his donkey is saying loud and clear “this is wrong, terribly wrong”. The grass roots are saying that there is no reason at all why Zimbabwe hould not once again become Africa’s bread-basket. We do not want your tractors for we have our donkeys and our oxen. We can make the yokes, the harness and the ploughs. We do not want your hybrid seed and your fertilisers, we have our own open-pollinated maize, and with compost made from cattle dung and grass we can increase the land’s fertility not destroy it. We are Zimbabwe’s dispossessed. We are the grass roots – just listen to us. Merfyn Temple, UK
No rule of law
EDITOR – I would like to respond to Mr Abednego Nyoni’s letter that appeared in the Star of March 31. Firstly let me say I am surprised you are writing from Jo’burg; I thought you should be at home tilling the land because your boss Mr Mugabe was asking what are we looking for outside the country, yet he is giving people land.
You argue that people are responsible for what is happening in Zimbabwe; well Mr Nyoni this is why we say there is no rule of law in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is supposed to control the situation but they no longer honour such duties like protecting “your sister” who I suppose is a law abiding citizen. Zanu (PF) owes me and many millions of other Zimbabweans. You only woke up from your dream only when your sister was affected at “one petrol line” yet there are millions of people who fail to get maize because Zanu (PF) members skip the line. The fact remains Mr Nyoni, Zanu (PF) has messed up and it does not know how to fix the situation hence it must step down.
It is not Blair or Bush, it is Robert Mugabe who has made us miserable due to the love of power.
Butholezwe Nyathi, Johannesburg
Send them to The Hague
EDITOR – Historically Africa has its own game of snakes and ladders – known as “Steps and Nyokas.” For a long time, the power has been with the Nyokas – dictators – rather than Steps – of Justice. Reed Brody has recently asked – with Milosovic no longer in court and Charles Taylor now about to stand trial for crimes against humanity – who will be next? Reed suggests Hissene Habre of Chad – safely holed up in Senegal. Thabo Mbeki is showing signs of a Step – seeking Justice regarding ex Vice President Zuma. But is this genuine? We hear unconfirmed reports that he sent his army commander to Zimbabwe where he met with a Mr Mujuru, a Mr Shiri and the CIO boss. The story goes further to say that these chaps called a Mr Tsvangirai to a meeting in Mazowe but that Tsvangirai stood by his principles. Apparently, the old trick of divide and rule was next – so the next biggest actor was called to the Mazowe stage – to be set up? – one Welshman? Any scholar of Rhodes or Packer can imaganie the rest of the interview – “what’s your price?” Did Welshman and Gibson then dash to Pretoria? – I believe so. Did Welshman then dash off to find King Arthur in the USA? – I think so. Did Mbeki thereby sentence Zimbabwe to “more time” by splitting the opposition? – I believe so. Is Mbeki trying to play Steps in his own country but Nyokas in another? It seems so.
It is now way overdue for all Zimbabweans – including myself – to call on the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth – but more specifically Tony Blair, George Bush, John Howard and Thabo Mbeki to send Robert Mugabe and Perence Shiri to The Hague. To save on time and money, Mengistu can catch a lift while they are about it. Until such time we must accept that the world has failed in itself, and in Zimbabwe, by supporting the Nyokas not the Steps. J.L. Robinson, Australia
Pull together, now
EDITOR – I salute the brave and dedicated Zimbabweans who produce The Zimbabwean every week. The newspaper portrays the story of political disaster and for some it is a little too frightening to take in. From others, I hear them say “who cares – it’s what they deserve” and I grow angry. I grow angry too when I remember the hungry children standing in soup queues in Hatcliffe schools. When I remember the squatter camp’s clinic, run by a nurse-aid who had been provided with just a chair, table and bed and two bottles of TB tablets. Outside on the verandah the queue of men and women terminally ill with TB and AIDS stood in silence all day together with children with hideous burns and bloated stomachs. But my story is also about the wonderful black and white Zimbabweans who have stayed on in the country to fight corruption, violence and greed, whilst some of us, now safe in Britain, sit back and fill up our stomachs on Morrisons best. Like many we have been through the uncertainty of arriving back in the UK with just a suitcase of clothing. Yes, we have wept at saying goodbye to nearly 50 years of sun and The Good Life.
Back in the UK in the middle of winter, we shivered and shook our way down the charity shops and waited for 4pm at the local Co-op to buy Past Sale Date veggies and fruit. Ah how the mighty have fallen! Queuing at the Social Services, being asked in a loud voice our most private of details, was quite an eye-opener. But within the warmth of my in box, I have a collection of loving Zimbabwean friends in all countries of the world and especially those brave ones battling it out in Zimbabwe. To all of you I beg your help and support during the next critical months when WE could help to enforce change and restore the tarnished country of Zimbabwe – a sunset which could be turned into a golden dawn if we all pull together now.
Angry, UK