Govt brutality strengthens opposition resolve

what we will do to you if you attempt to lead a popular revolt. What is your response?
MT : We are all aware that Zanu (PF) is responsible for the violence that has taken place in this country. From the Gukurahundi era, to the violence against the opposition, to the violence on Murambatsvina, to the violence that has now manifested itself in the so-called response to the labour protest. We vehemently condemn the brutality and sadistic action of the police. But one has to understand the context in which Zanu (PF) is reacting to people’s expression of discontent. They have no response to the plight of the people for food and jobs, for the higher cost of living, the poverty of the people. And by repressing their expression they think that they will be able to intimidate the population, to intimidate the political leadership. But far from it! I think they have strengthened the resolve, not only of the labour leaders, but some of us who are at the forefront of the democratic struggle. It is therefore naïve to believe that you can kill the messenger in order to suppress the message. The message from the people is very, very clear. Zanu (PF) has let the people down and therefore the people are saying enough of Zanu (PF). And if they don’t want to accept that reality, I think they have themselves to blame.
GP : Why do you think government has disregarded the recommendations of the Supreme Court to shut down Matapi Police Station Holding Cells?
MT : Matapi represents the worst of the regime. In fact, the regime enjoys exposing its victims to such a situation where they hope that they can break the spirit of those who will be exposed to that situation. They can continue to build and have so many of these concentration camps with the hope that they can intimidate the whole population. But I think this is an exercise in futility. Anyone who has been exposed to those conditions comes out of that condition knowing fully well what this regime is up to, and what kind of a regime we are dealing with.
GP : What is your reaction to the beating and torture of arrested labour leaders in police custody?
MT : The torture of labour leaders was a shocking act against humanity. The police are taught professionally that you cannot harass somebody who has already been arrested. But we know that there are extra-legal means that are being used to undermine police professionalism. The use of militias, the use of Zanu (PF) activists, openly in connivance with individual police officers who may for some reason begin to feel angry on behalf of Zanu (PF). Such type of people, obviously, in days after the resolution of this crisis, will not find themselves in a police unit because they are not professional police officers. And it is because of these kind of unprofessional police officers, who resort to illegal means, that the credibility of the ZRP is being undermined.
GP : In the future, how is the MDC going to hedge against such action?
MT : We cannot talk about change if we do not transform these institutions. There is need for the government to depoliticize the police force and other institutions like the army, the CIO and other state institutions. The police should stop carrying out work on behalf of Zanu (PF), the military must stop carrying out work on behalf of Zanu (PF), and judges should stop carrying out work on behalf of Zanu (PF). Such kind of institutions needs serious transformation.
GP : President Mugabe told the 14th Non Aligned Summit in Havana on Saturday that he would not accept “this stupid belligerent notion” by the West, through opposition groups like the MDC and ZCTU, to cause anarchy by “undermining our systems” in order to bring about “illegal regime change.” Are you concerned by such threats?
MT : That is the barking of an expired regime. (Breaks into laughter.) Let me just say that the people of Zimbabwe are not beholden to Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF). You know, the people of Zimbabwe have a right bestowed by their destiny, by their God, that they shall have unalienable rights to express themselves. And that it is not an exclusive right of any nation to have freedoms and justice. And Zimbabweans aspire to have those things. That’s what motivates them. If Mugabe thinks that he is going to use podiums like the Non Aligned Movement to denounce Zimbabweans, he should come back home and see how Zimbabweans are struggling on a daily basis without food, without jobs, with poverty, with higher cost of living, with a collapsing economy. These are the issues that he needs to address rather than continue in this paralysis, preoccupied and paranoid about some unknown enemy who is going to go around and overthrow him. We are not talking about overthrowing Mugabe! We are talking about Mugabe resolving the national crisis. This has got nothing to do with (British Premier Tony) Blair; this has nothing to do with (US President George) Bush. It is the situation back home that needs to be addressed not at some platform where he knows that he is under security guard. He should come here and see how Zimbabweans are struggling on a daily basis to survive.