Editorial

We condemn in the strongest terms the weekend violence among MDC youths outside Harvest House. It does not matter who instigated it, or what justification or provocation there might have been – it simply should not be tolerated. Those involved should be severely disciplined in order to send a message that this type of behaviour is totally unacceptable.

The MDC must not allow itself, at any level, to descend to Zanu-type behaviour. If this is allowed to continue – all our hopes and trust in the opposition as a democratic force for change and a better future will be dashed.

We also deplore the harassment of two journalists who were simply going about their legitimate business of covering the event at Harvest House.  The Mugabe regime has done more than enough to make Zimbabwe an unsafe place for journalists. The opposition should lead the way in respecting and protecting those responsible for informing the nation – no matter who they work for, or their particular slant on the news, deplorable though it might seem.

We are talking about a principle here, a fundamental principle – freedom of the press.

Allied to this is freedom of expression – people must be free to hold differing views. Dissension and debate MUST be tolerated, even encouraged. That is what democracy is all about.

Allowing those with a different opinion requires maturity, political and otherwise, which must be fostered at all levels of our society.

Internecine violence plays directly into the hands of the dictator who, we may be certain, will be quick to exploit it for his own gains. Agents provocateurs are already at work throughout our society – let’s not make life any easier for them than it is already.

Rest assured, Mugabe will raise the issue of MDC violence at the forthcoming EU-ACP summit and use it to back his claims that MDC is a violent party.  

We condemn Portugal

We commend the EU leaders for agreeing to place the Mugabe regime’s widespread human rights abuses on the agenda of its summit with ACP countries in Lisbon next month.

They will need to tell the dictator in no uncertain terms that his trampling of the rule of law and abuse of power to cause untold suffering for millions of his countrymen is totally unacceptable in this modern world.

No doubt he will respond with his usual diatribe against western leaders, notably Gordon Brown, George Bush and anyone else who dares criticise him. We urge the leaders present in Lisbon, particularly those from Africa, to see through his rhetoric and lies and not to support him at this public forum – no matter how strong their misguided African solidarity.

We condemn the Portuguese government for having missed a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to Mugabe, and to Africa at large, their abhorrence at the suffering he has inflicted on millions of Zimbabweans.