rivileges and Immunities Act allows legislators to freely express themselves in the august house. That is what parliamentary democracy entails. To say the Domestic Violence Bill is diabolical and should not be passed does not mean the Mabvuku legislator does not respect women, or condone their rape, murder or abuse.
Government is using these organisations to get political mileage. Am I the only person who is seeing this unholy alliance between women organisations on one hand and government and the official media on the other? Why does government allow demonstrations that are not critical of its mismanagement to take place while they criminalise those by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) that protest against skyrocketing prices of goods and services. I give an example of Woza who usually demonstrate against school fees increases and the increase of bread price. Are these demonstrations not equally important and if so why then does government support one demonstration and criminalises the other?
Government is actually using this Domestic Violence Bill to divide the civic society and turn women’s organisations against the MDC.
I stand by my words: What the Mabvuku MP said in Parliament was not a crime. He was merely expressing his opinion. Women organisations should leave him alone because with or without him Zanu (PF) will still pass the Domestic Violence Bill to appease women ahead of the 2008 or is it 2010 presidential elections
EDSON MADONDO, Harare
Principle of equity
EDITOR – The MDC today represents the only viable alternative to the outpost of tyranny the current Government of Zimbabwe has become.
In an era when the black-person is trying to show the world that he too is capable of developing himself, the government of Robert Mugabe is busy ridiculing that by showing the world that they will not allow themselves to be criticised and that anyone who does so risks the loss of his or her life. The Daily Telegraph last wek reported on the sad story of Didymus Mutasa, who still thinks that the Security Agency is his personal fiefdom there to protect his party.
The MDC was founded on the principle of bringing equity to Zimbabwe; political equity for all people in our country to have a say as taxation is only taxation by representation. As the Zimbabwean taxpayer we have every right to participate in the governance of our country by directly choosing those who will represent us, economic and social justice. The slogan for MDC; “Chinja Maitiro, Guqula Izenzo” is a philosophical statement not an empty statement: it’s not even emotional. It says what we expect our Zimbabwe to be – a country deeply embedded in a culture of transparency, tolerance, accountability, responsibility and which seeks to achieve this by giving the power to decide to a very included and well-informed citizenry.
The MDC in the UK and Northern Ireland urges the International Community to see the danger of allowing Robert Mugabe and his government the pleasure of this impunity. Not only is Zimbabwe treading on dangerous ground but it is carrying the international order with it.
JULIUS SAI MUTYAMBIZI-DEWA, Secretary, MDC UK and Northern Ireland
Why are you in UK, Miss Zim?
EDITOR – In response to Faith Mutambanashe the reigning Miss Zimbabwe in UK, I say kana waguta Macdonald you must shut up and take a siesta rather than talking a lot of rubbish. How dare you insult Zimbabweans in the Diaspora by saying we are tarnishing the image of Zimbabwe? If Zimbabwe was good for you, why are you here in UK? You must go back to Zimbabwe and promote tourism.
The Diaspora is telling the truth of what is happening in Zimbabwe and how people are suffering – including Faith’s relatives. Just two weeks ago the government that Faith is protecting was out of leash beating up the leadership of ZCTU. You should log on the net and view the video clip which is in circulation around the world about the brutal beatings of ZCTU leaders and you will be shocked.
We are now seeking refuge in many countries because of the anarchy in Zimbabwe. It’s one year since the government of Zimbabwe destroyed a number of houses and a lot of people are still homeless.
Do you think we the Diaspora hate our country like Mugabe does?
LUKA PHIRI, UK
No generals – just Mujibas
EDITOR – History tells us that the relationship between the political leader and the miltiary leader of a state is a delicate one at the best of times. Where there is war or national upheaval, it simply becomes more delicate.
Hitler declined Rommel’s military advice, which was identical (on the significance of North Africa) to that of General Alan Brooke to Winston Churchill. Thankfully, Churchill chose to listen to Brooke.
But the Harare Government (read Mugabe) has specialised in the science of stooges – his Mujibas – nurturing, and then rewarding his most loyal ones with farms and much more. Chihuri was “encouraged” by a spell in detention in Mozambique in the 70s, apparently – Dabengwa rewarded with a spell in detention in the New Zimbabwe.
Is it just possible that Tongogara was just no mujiba, but rather a General of Rommel’s stature, and mysteriously died in car, just like Rommel? I think so.
It seems that Zimbabwe’s greatest limitation is that it does not have one proper General – just a Military Mujiba, loyal to its leader not its (poor) people, and is now locked into that “27 Year Mujiba Cycle.”
Who will break it?
MUJIBA WATCHER, Australia
Is it nearly over?
EDITOR – We think that as the sun sets each evening, that another day has passed. Maybe for the better or possibly for the worse. Somehow we forget that when the day ends for us, it is only just beginning for others who are living elsewhere.
There is so much destruction in this world, so much anger and hate. The Human race is incredibly adaptable, we change to suit our surroundings and try our best to find a comfortable niche.
Therefore what is supposed to happen when we are thrown out of our comfort zone?
Many people, who are older and perhaps wiser, tell me that they believe the end is coming soon. Strangely the end has been coming soon for about the past 5 years. ( a third of my lifetime )
What is to result from the current crisis in Zimbabwe?
Is this just the start of our nightmare, halfway through, the beginning of the end, or is it finishing, is it nearly over? Or is it just time that will tell?
JACKIE ROBINSON, (AGE 15), Australia
Root of failure
EDITOR -Allow me to air my views in your widely-read paper on the opposition’s continual failure, in the wake of its recent losses in by-elections. Failure continues to haunt our Zimbabwe opposition mainly because of the presence of its accommodation of opportunists within its ranks. The formation of the opposition availed a rare opportunity to some people to jump onto the political bandwagon. The other political window in Zimbabwe required one to have liberation war credentials or links with people who had these credentials. It was a question of who do you know?
South African theoretician, Isaac Bangani Tabata once said: “Opportunism is the worst disease that can infect any organization”. It can be diagnosed that our opposition contracted this disease at birth and the medication also appears to be elusive. The symptoms of the ‘disease’ are apparent in the opposition—factionalism, regionalism, and intra-party violence. What is worrying is that the opposition does not seem to know it has this ailment.
The major setback of opportunist is that they quickly run out of steam – they cannot stand the heat. This evidenced by running out of ideas as a result they fizzle out and throw in the towel at a time when the masses are banking on them.
While it may be justified that the playfield is not level due to draconian laws among other factors, the opposition’s enemy number one is itself. The unevenness of the political field should bring out the best in the opposition-great leaders are products of hard and trying times.
In the just ended by-elections the ‘disease’ was also evidenced – the opposition should refrain from its accommodation of opportunists because they are bound to fail. What really pains the heart is that people thought that at last the Messiah had come to save them, but alas the wait has to continue.
SAVIOUS HARI, USA
Shame on the passers by
EDITOR – A recent video clip circulating on the SW Radio Africa web site showed Zimbabwe Republic Police savagely beating ZCTU leaders and fellow marchers.
The sheer insensitivity and unmitigated aggression of the police as they meted out their unlawful justice was dramatic, and unfortunately not an unusual occurrence in today’s Zimbabwe.
The police showed no shame and no fear of retribution, confident in the knowledge that their actions are condoned not only by their superiors, but by the government of Zimbabwe itself.
Seen in the background of the video clip were pedestrians strolling past totally unconcerned, seemingly oblivious of the violence being inflicted on their brothers and sisters, in broad daylight, and in the city centre.
It seemed the height of irony that walking up and down on the pavement opposite, and giving cursory glances at the mayhem taking place only a few yards away, were the very citizenry that could be beneficiaries of the ZCTU public outcry against poverty hunger and oppression.
Some of the participants who went out on that fateful day are now facing permanent and serious ill-effects from the bashing received, as well as astronomical medical bills. Their families are traumatised and their livelihoods are at risk.
How many witnesses of the tirade of brutality have since organised or contributed to a fund to alleviate the suffering of the few?
Zimbabwe watchers safely ensconced in the diaspora often ask why there isn’t serious mass action?
Being part of a popular and successful demonstration of hundreds and thousands is one thing, but having to courageously and forever go it alone is quite another.
EXILED ZIMBABWEAN, UK
Learn from Zambia
EDITOR – Thank you for the tireless effort you are doing to bring to us independent and true news about our country. There is just one thing that is disappointing to many of us who would like to see change in our once prosperous Zimbabwe – the lack of unity among the forces fighting for liberation.
The opposition groups must learn from the Zambian experience where the opposition parties lost because of divided votes yet they were all contesting against Mwanawasa and the MMD.
Unless there is unity of purpose in Zimbabwe Zanu (PF) will continue to mess on our faces.
ANONYMOUS, Harare