nvinced that the time has indeed come for serious human rights defenders to speak out against the suffering (in every sense of the word) that we have experienced under the despotic Mugabe regime.
Required in Zimbabwe today are people who speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Of worth to note also is that there is need for human rights activists to protect the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8ff) Some may ask, where does this self-acclaimed human rights defender stand?
I am very clear on where I stand when it comes to issues that are of national importance. I am against poverty, tyranny and war the three enemies of humanity. My submission is that these three enemies of humanity are among us and a lot has to be done to do away with them. This means that I have, just like any concerned citizen, no other choice but to clearly register my displeasure with the regime that no longer has anything to offer to the suffering masses.
I am however optimistic that the Mugabe regime is nearing its end. There is no night so long that it does not end with dawn. I believe everything has a beginning and an end. In our vernacular, “chinobhururuka chinomhara”. How important can people be? We are all equal and therefore we should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood and not a situation where some comrades are more equal than others. Noteworthy is the fact that we all have to play our part to make sure that things start working for us. Remember a hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, those who waste time will always be poor. In like manner, there’s an incumbent need for all Zimbabweans to start acting since this is good for the country. I have painfully come face to face with how the Mugabe regime has decimated our livelihood and to be frank with you it pains me to learn that Zimbabweans have nothing to show for the 27 years that they have been independent.
How then can one justify being a leader of a country with a bad human rights record, with the highest inflation in the world, where citizens experience hell on earth due to sheer misrule? The list could go on and on. Last but not by any means least, we shall fight up to the end. Even if you silence us, even if you detain us, even if you threaten us with bullets, even if you raise fees beyond the reach of many poor families, even if you close private media houses, even if you beat us…., victory surely belongs to the people. The struggle continues unabated!
Mutsa Murenje, Harare
Wise up, Mutambara
EDITOR – I wonder how many Zimbo Diasporians like myself, reading the stirring, almost Churchillian, clarion call by MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara in the latest Zimbabwean – “We are ready to die to free the country” etc. – would wish to say to him:
No Arthur, we’re not asking you to go that far! What we would prefer is that, frankly, you WISE UP and apply some reason and logic to the horrible and wretched Zimbabwe situation.
Realise that unity is strength and join Morgan – as a strong Senate opponent, you should have done this in the first place – and put all your energy and reasources into one, single and unfied MDC.
By splitting the MDC, you and your followers, perhaps unwittingly, played Mugabe’s game. Morgan, a dedicated man of supreme courage and principle, deserves all possible support, both within and outside our beloved country.
Work together with him in one, single, well-focused Movement for Democratic Change. Because Zimbabwe is desperately crying out for change.
Ivor Davis, South Africa
Key to State House
EDITOR – I would like to echo sentiments expressed recently by Isaac Matongo (MDC chairman) that the opposition is not losing elections in rural constituencies to Zanu (PF) as a result of rigging.
In as much as we want to wave goodbye to Zanu (PF)’s misrule, we must concede that the scales of political support in rural areas are tipped in favour of the ruling party. A more rigorous campaign should therefore be launched sooner rather than later to capture the votes of the traditional Zanu (PF) identifiers.
We may bask in false glory thinking the prevailing economic climate will draw more of these voters to MDC yet the opposite might be true. People in these areas are subjected relentlessly to ruling party propaganda as their sources of information are limited mostly to ZBC/ZTV. They have been made to believe it was the MDC which called for sanctions on Zimbabwe in the first place hence all the suffering people are going through now. The worse the economic conditions, the less the support for the opposition in most of these constituencies.
It is cut and dried in ZANU (PF) circles that come 2008, no Presidential elections are held. We may still feel that even in 2010 any presidential candidate from Zanu (PF) will be beaten all systems out by the opposition. This ruling party is so cunning, and I will not be surprised if there are going to be a lot of amendments to the electoral laws such that by the time we are preparing for the 2010 Presidential elections, the rules might have been changed with the leader of the country automatically coming from the party winning the majority of seats!
It is therefore imperative that no stone is left unturned in the quest to get the better of Zanu (PF) in rural constituencies (starting of course with UMP- Uzumba Maramba (PF)ungwe). Otherwise Zanu (PF) might rule kusvika madhongi amera nyanga.
C Ngairongwe, UK
When will it end?
EDITOR – I learnt it with disgust that Zanu (PF) members wanted to assassinate the MDC Pretoria chairman Mr Chikandiwa when he tried to go home to assess the situation there.
When is this Zanuism going to end? If we let them go on with it, they are going to finish us all.
It is common knowledge that the majority of people from areas like Chiredzi south are working in South Africa, some without any documents, some as refugees and some with faked SA citizenship. So what was so peculiar about Chikandiwa coming home especially during the festive season when hundreds of thousands of illegal Zimbabwean workers in SA throng the borders going back home?
We better unite and act now or we will never. I know a lot of Zimbabweans who live on violent crime down here, why can’t they focus their violence on Zanuism which is making our lives unbearable.
ZENZO NLEYA, Jozi
Zanu (PF) is utterly evil
EDITOR – Many people have told me that only Mugabe is a problem in Zanu (PF). If he goes things will be fine. I was given some examples like that of former Minister Simba Makoni. People must not be deceived the whole Zanu(PF) is evil. All Zanu (PF) leaders are evil, anti-God and hard-hearted.
If leaders like Simba Makoni are good and capable leaders why are they silent when Zanu (PF) is destroying the country? Hirelings do not want their position of wealth, fame and stability to be threatened. Some Zimbabweans shock me; do you want self-seeking leaders to rule over you? All Zanu (PF) leaders must go we want new leaders to rule Zimbabwe with justice.
If someone in the party is good why is s/he silent? We must not be deceived. Leaders like Vice President Mujuru are evil and can sell the poor for a pair of shoes. I don’t care that she is an active member of Salvation Army Church, they is so much suffering in Zimbabwe. More than 3000 people are dying every week, due to deliberate starvation, and deprivation of hospitals with drugs and doctors.
Zimbabwe needs political leaders who respect bible-based human rights. The Ten Commandments are the foundation and basis of our freedom, liberty and justice. Ideal leaders are those who protect innocent citizens and punish the wicked in accordance with the laws of God – capital punishment for rape, murder, kidnapping etc. Zanu (PF) members are not worthy leadership because they are the ones perpetrating most crimes in Zimbabwe.
Collen Makumbirofa, South Africa
Mugabe will go
EDITOR – As a young Zimbabwean I believe that we, the Zimbabwean people, shall remove Mugabe from power. It is total foolishness on his part to think that we are happy about his madness. He is a criminal who has undone the gains of Independence for which our brothers, sisters, uncles, fathers and mothers died and we will never forgive him for that. To him we say “even when you are dead we shall carry your bones to court”.
Butholezwe Nyathi, Youth Activist, Harare