Letters

EDITOR – The MDC should stop taking black people for idiots. Are they not the same power-hungry monsters who protested when ‘Jongwe’ proposed to hold elections in 2010?

Now that they appear to have cemented their political careers by negotiating for inclusion into parliament through a ridiculous increase in MPs and the controversial Senate, they now realise that they actually need more time to campaign since so many of the ‘small’ names now sense that they won’t win merely on the basis of being MDC. I thought the MDC split into two factions because Tsvangirai didn’t favour the Senate!

Many like myself are fed up with cheap politicians who are bent on advancing their own agenda with their supporters gaining nothing out of it. All this talk about a new constitution sounds noble, but Tsvangirai and his crew have shown great difficulties when it comes to abiding by their own MDC party constitution (the split that created Mutambara’s faction, the Mai Matibenga issue, MDC UK dissolution, the appointment of unelected representatives at the Oxford congress in 2005…).

The MDC should be worried about the future of Zimbabwe and its young people, whose hope of making any money at all now seems to lie dangerously in corruption and shoddy deals. People in the diaspora could do a lot to revive our dying nation through pragmatic association with an MDC that serves a nation’s needs rather than a vote-seeking cartel whose primary aim is to be famous in the West while their kids are getting university education sponsored by a former Australian ruling party that doesn’t give a donkey for Australian Aborigines (let alone black Zimbabweans).

Elections or no elections, Zimbabwe must carry on and by now the MDC should at least have enticed many in the diaspora to adopt an orphanage/school/hospital etc instead of having their officials wasting money travelling to the West for business that only serves a chosen few. Chinja! Guqula!

MUCHADEI MAKONI, Manchester

Another megalomaniac – like Idi Amin and Bokassa

EDITOR – With the greatest respect to Eddie Cross – I recall him from the time I lived in Harare (1990-2003) and I’m aware of his excellent work for a free Zimbabwe – but I feel his letter last week (Mugabe’s mistakes will cost him presidency) was a bit naïve.

Eddie suggests that had Mugabe co-operated with President Mbeki over the past seven years to find a solution to Zim’s political/economic crisis, “we would have seen Mugabe retire some years ago” (some hopes!) and our country “would be slowly recovering.”

This kind of talk pre-supposes that Robert Mugabe has a genuine love for his country and its people and is concerned about their welfare and future.  

No Eddie, we are dealing with yet another megalomaniac – like Idi Amin and Bokassa – who, by sheer force, will stay in power until he is removed. Power is the name of the game and he won’t go quietly. Maybe he’s watching what happens to Charles Taylor, now facing crimes against humanity, and perhaps his main concern is not to go the same way.

On another subject, Eddie, couldn’t you use your undoubted influence to bring Morgan and Arthur to the conference table for useful peace talks? Surely, a split opposition only benefits Mugabe, no-one else, and certainly not the suffering people of Zimbabwe.

IVOR DAVIS, Sandton, South Africa

Country defies Geneva Declaration

EDITOR – Quakers at their recent Central and Southern Africa yearly meeting, representing the diverse membership of Quakers in Southern Africa, expressed their deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe that is affecting all of us.

The latest news is that the life expectancy of women has declined to 34 years, the lowest in the world, and for men to 37 years.

The harsh economic environment in which Zimbabwe now finds itself has destroyed a country. Human rights have been severely curtailed with voices opposing the state silenced through detention and torture and press freedom denied.

The June 2006 Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development states among other things that: “Living free from the threat of armed violence is a basic human need. It is a precondition for human development, dignity and wellbeing. Providing for the human security of their citizens is a core responsibility of governments.” Zimbabwe is a signatory to this declaration yet defies its core principles daily.

It is a matter of urgency that the governments of Southern Africa work together to help restore human rights and improve living conditions for all Zimbabwean people.

SHELDON G. WEEKS, Grahamstown, South Africa

Moral decline at Air Zimbabwe

EDITOR – I am very sad to have to write this email of complaint regarding the service I received on the day flight from Harare to London on January 13 on Air Zimbabwe.

I am currently injured with a ruptured Achilles tendon and I am on crutches. I requested the wheelchair service and when booking, requested the bulkhead seat so that I would have room to stretch out my leg, as it is supposed to be kept in a raised position.  

After asking customer services for a wheelchair at Harare Airport, I was kept waiting for 45 minutes for it to arrive. I had to lie on the airport floor, as there were no seats for us to use whilst we were waiting for the wheelchair. My old mother was by then so upset she walked into the passport control area and obtained a chair herself.  

The wheelchair had one brake, which was not good enough to keep me stable in the hydraulic lift, and I ran over a member of staff’s foot. To add insult to injury, the lift did not reach the plane as the hydraulics were not working properly. We had to go back down again and I was asked to walk up the stairs.  

To my horror, we were given seats right at the back of the plane – the worst seats. On top of that, my seat was broken and could not go back.

There was another injured old lady by the name of Joy on the plane. She had a broken hip and shoulder and had to be carried to the back of the plane where they squeezed her into the last seat. The poor woman was in absolute agony and in tears of pain. I was horrified at the lack of respect the air stewardesses showed by not changing her seat to give her a more comfortable one.   

After take-off, I took a walk around economy to see if there were any other seats for the other injured old lady as I felt desperate for her situation. I found six comfortable seats at the front, but was told that these were reserved for Air Zimbabwe staff.  I spoke to the senior air stewardess who seemed to think I was angling for a seat in business class. All I was asking was for me and the old injured lady to be treated with respect, due to our injuries, and to be given comfortable economy seats.   

As I had no support from her, I asked to speak to the captain. I eventually spoke to his co-pilot, who was very polite but said that they would not be able to move Joy into a more ‘joyful’ seat as we had already taken off. The senior air stewardess finally took pity on me and gave me one of the six seats reserved for the staff.  

I have to say in all my years of travel, and I have travelled on many international airlines, I have never seen air stewardesses sleep in the middle of the plane in passenger seats and for four hours during the flight. At this time, we had to help ourselves to drinks and snacks as there were only two staff on call and that was because we were in their seats I guess! I, in fact, was helping them pass around packets of crisps to the hungry passengers but drew the line at providing drinks when requested. You can’t hobble with drinks in your hands!  

I feel that when an airline shows no empathy or care for the elderly and sick, this is a huge sign of moral decline in the Air Zimbabwe organisation. I would like an explanation of how Air Zimbabwe can treat people in this manner. It is unprofessional, uncaring and disrespectful. I have always recommended Air Zimbabwe to friends and family and now I am unable to do so.

LUCY MURNANE, UK

Your crime is treason  

EDITOR – I think as far as the Zimbabweans are suffering, you are happy now [Mugabe], but one thing l advise you: you need to stay away from politics. You are old and unfit for office. I warn you that this is the year to get rid of you, my man. If we don’t, who is going to remove you? Britain and the USA can’t, so it is only the Zimbas. Bob, you are responsible for the bloodshed and illness of many Zimbas. Truly, you are more than Chidumo and Masendeke. So, keep in mind that when you step down from power your crime is treason, my guy.   

INNOCENT CHITSIMO, Masiphumelele, Cape Town, SA     

Put a sock in it, Mahoso

EDITOR – Never one to miss a chance to comment on affairs that grab the world’s attention (and normally when he does it’s a catastrophe), the Zanu (PF) indoctrinated Tafataona Mahoso was at it again, commenting on the events in Kenya.  

Boy, did we feel insulted: attributing the crisis to the Kenyans’ unresolved land issue. Like his partisans blaming any African problems on racism. Everyone knows that the crisis in Kenya is about Kenyans hating their elections; having their mouths gagged by blacks like Mahoso’s partisans.  

If the man has nothing to say, which (like all Mugabe followers) I strongly suspect, he should put a sock in it.

ESIGODINI, by email

Ready or not? Has Mutambara already decided?

EDITOR – Recent information coming from MDC (Mutambara) concerning the 2008 Presidential and General elections shows a lack of understanding of what the people of Zimbabwe want. A number of their spokespeople, including Professor Ncube, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Mr Chaibva, have been making the argument that because everything is being done in accordance with the cannibalised Lancaster Constitution then people should not register concern.

The reason why people have demanded a new constitution is that the current constitutional dispensation allows Zanu (PF) to ride roughshod over the people of Zimbabwe.

The MDC (Mutambara) is at pains to exhibit their superior constitutional and legal knowledge to justify the decisions of both the ZEC and the Zimbabwe Government with regard to the 2008 elections. What makes their argument wrong, is not that they are interpreting the law wrongly, but that they are failing to see what all other people in politics, civic society and academia are taking issue with.

The people are not arguing that it is not within the legal and constitutional power of ZEC or President Mugabe to call for elections at any time as long as they abide with the requirements of the current constitution. Instead, they are saying that, when elections are called, there should be no doubt that all those tasked with running them are ready to do a good job.

Chaibva is quoted on Studio 7 claiming that they are ready for elections any time and they are in the process of choosing candidates for the elections. How are they choosing candidates for unknown constituencies and wards? Unless, of course, they are choosing candidates who will only garner 504 votes where quality does not matter.

The people arguing for a delay in the elections are not only thinking about the preparedness of their parties but more importantly the preparedness of the ZEC to run them.

Listening to Chaibva, one wonders why they are still at the Mbeki talks because MDC (Mutambara) seems to believe that conditions are right for the holding of elections that will be accepted by all Zimbabweans and that they can actually win the elections.

I would not be surprised that, while we all believe that the MDC formations are still to make a decision on whether to participate in the 2008 elections based on the conclusion of the talks, one faction has already made up its mind.

I hope that Chaibva and company will not turn round and say ‘we was robbed’ because the legal and academic stance they have taken with regard to the 2008 elections ignores a lot of other factors that are at play in this discourse. My verdict is that MDC (Mutambara) is making the wrong argument and I stand to be corrected.

NYENGETERAI GIDI, UK

Why accuse Gono? Here’s why

Leo Mugabe accuses Gono of corruption. It’s a vendetta with its roots in Uncle Bob’s riches.  

Grace has been at the forefront of running Gushungo Holdings and their banker, being Gono, has close access to the first family’s finances. Over the years, he has been the peacemaker in the family, supporting their business to access forex for imported material and equipment, their holidays and everything they need. He knows every aspect of their finances.  

This has made the nephews and nieces of Mugabe worry that, in the event of his death, everything will be taken away by Grace and the Marufu family. Leo thinks that, by discrediting Gono as being behind the opposition, he will drive a wedge between Mugabe and Gono and he, as the nephew (Muzukuru), steps in to gain control.

MTUNDA, UK