Letters

EDITOR – What is happening here is fun. You see, just now I attended the MDC (Tsvangirai) star rally, which was well attended. Surely, would someone staying in Emganwini walk on foot to and from the rally? No. Surely, you cannot travel or walk on foot for a distance of 20km for something very important. You really need to be there on time, don’t you?

But I got the shock of my life when I read this government newspaper saying MDC was bussing people from as far as Gwanda. Shame. What a lie indeed. The MDC party will never be, and has never been, so desperate that it can resort to this cheap politics. This can only be done by Robert Mugabe and his cronies who are busy bussing schoolchildren to appear as if they have a huge following in Matabeleland. Shame indeed on this satanic regime. Mr Tsvangirai has a huge following here in Matabeleland and is going to win.

Zanu wants to appear as if it is in control here in Matabeleland but no, not after they committed the Gukurahundi, killing innocent people, raping minors and displacing many families here. I want the people of Matabeleland to go and vote with Gukurahundi in mind and see if Mugabe will win.

TS, by email

Myth of white superiority

EDITOR – I was deeply shocked by Aaron Dube’s letter (The Zimbabwean 13-19 March), in which he declared that only whites are capable of honest leadership. Three decades after independence, we still have Zimbos who can’t shake off the myth of white superiority.

We cannot have a white leader in Zimbabwe because whites have proved themselves to be self-serving. They only become interested in national affairs when their interests are threatened. They readily supported Mugabe when he served their interests and only saw him for the monster he is when he grabbed their farms so, in a way, they contributed to the mess we are in.  

Roy Bennett is certainly not a shining example of leadership. Has Dube forgotten that debacle in parliament years back when Bennett almost pulverised Chinamasa? He was provoked, but one would have expected a little diplomacy from a so-called leader. It’s a good thing that Dube lives in South Africa because he is out of step with the mood of the majority of Zimbabweans.

ANON, by email

Simba is a lion

EDITOR – I have followed the several letters and articles in your paper concerning the entry of Simba Makoni into the presidential race.  Of interest were articles by writers such Tanonoka Joseph Whande, who writes from Botswana, and frequent letter-writers such as Benjamin Chitate and Mtots and many others.

I wonder why these people are so concerned about the entry of Simba. It had been taken as a foregone conclusion that Tsvangirai was going to win the election. However, the entry of Simba seems to be spoiling some people’s premature celebrations. This shows that a lot of Tsvangirai’s supporters are aware of the threat this fellow poses to their victory, hence this hullabaloo about the man.

This man is a lion to some of these people. We are tired of reading this hogwash that you are writing about him. What is wrong with anybody defecting from Zanu (PF)? At one stage, 90 per cent of the leaders in MDC, including Tsvangirai, were card-carrying members of Zanu (PF).  ZCTU was a strong ally of the Government then. But somehow these people broke away. So what is wrong with Simba doing the same. Give him a chance. After all, if you do not like him, do not vote for him.

Why do you display Zanu (PF) mentality that anyone who does not agree with you must be influenced by somebody else to do so? Zanu (PF) says the MDC are stooges of the West because the MDC does not see eye to eye with them. Now the MDC is saying Simba is a Zanu (PF) stooge, because he poses the greatest threat to their ambitions and aspirations. If Simba had defected to join the MDC, I am sure we would not be reading all this trash that we are reading now about this man.

Let people place an X for the presidential candidate of their choice without you trying to influence their decisions. What is Whande doing in Botswana? I hope he will come home to vote on March 29!

JOSEPH DINGAAN, Masvingo

Media is ‘freed’, but too late?

EDITOR – Zimbabwean media has been “freed” for the next few days for other political parties to use the services. Our Electoral Act, Broadcasting Act and the AIPPA need close scrutiny.

Zimbabwean political parties “are now free to use the services of ZBH” in a limited manner and any other extras have to be paid for. I am really disturbed by such irresponsible statements coming from the only broadcasting media in the country. Only from the 10th, have we started hearing the opinions of the opposition and what they stand for. What a shame.

I go back to the eighties and remember a lady minister calling the team from a satellite company all sorts of names when they had opted to install and operate their system in Zimbabwe.  This most people had not read properly and thought it was an informed position. It was to be seen as part of a greater plan to make sure the general populace was starved of second and third opinions of events taking place.

Chitepo had promised that the preference to establish radio and television stations would be given to Zimbabweans ahead of any other companies or individuals. This was never to be so, because the Act that established ZBC gave it a monopoly. The ZBC, a Government company, owns and runs all the electronic media up to this day, despite the enactment of the cosmetic Broadcasting Act. I wonder what the professionals employed by the board are doing.

The few newspapers that exist have been under a lot of emotional and physical pressure from the intelligence, army, police, Media Commission and politicians, including the President. Events that come to mind are Mugabe’s marriage to Grace, bombing of ANZ, closing of The Daily News and The Daily News on Sunday, the disturbances at The Mirror and the buy-out of the Financial Gazette.

Reaching the rural audience requires open broadcasting on the FM, AM  and shortwave bands. The economies of rural folks and the horrible road networks make it difficult to distribute and sell newspapers. The establishment of Joy TV we thought would be the turning point, but alas! It’s closure for no good reason was our demise.

The first step to set up independent radio stations was met with all sorts of Government terrorism. Presidential powers were used to curtail the freedom to hear second and third opinions. The real Zanu (PF) agenda began to show.

How do we expect political parties to reach the masses with their manifestos and views when ZBH will give them only 19 days to be on the public media? In fact, I have not seen one positive report on the opposition.

Wake up Mugabe! The internet is our source of communication and we will use it to the best. Proxies are plenty and technologies are plenty to get our information through. We are cleverer than your Chinese-trained guys. We will beat you in this election nyangwe mukanyima vanhu news dzemabato mamwe.

PJ MANYONDA, by email

Last nail in the coffin

EDITOR – Let me take this opportunity again to congratulate the people of Zimbabwe for rallying behind the MDC (Tsvangirai). The way you are attending the rallies is very encouraging. People of Zimbabwe have approved that Tsvangirai and his team have the real interest of the people at heart. I want to encourage people to turn out in those big numbers (40,000) to put the last nail in the coffin of Mugabe’s rule. Do not be intimidated any more. Failing to remove Mugabe will be very disastrous for Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai keep it up.

ANON, by email

Buying votes from civil servants

EDITOR – So much is being reported about the March 29 election that we are kept busy reading. Even at work, Zimbabweans must be spending some reasonable time checking websites for information on what is happening.

A recent sad story was the attempt to block Simba Makoni’s convoy at council offices in Filabusi, where Dr Makoni is said to have led his team distributing Mavambo T-shirts to council workers. This is typical Zanu (PF) style. Civil servants are supposed to be apolitical. Naturally, they are expected to support a party of their choice, but we do not expect a presidential candidate to go around dishing out T-shirts to civil servants ahead of an election. What then is the difference between Makoni and Mugabe?

I have said before that it is not Mugabe alone who has failed Zimbabwe – but the entire Zanu (PF) system. Its stinking corruption has destroyed the nation. We do not want leaders like Makoni who go about buying votes from civil servants who are on duty. Expose the rot.

BENJAMIN CHITATE, New Zealand  

Zuma, stay away from Mugabe!

EDITOR – The South African’s ANC President Jacob Zuma is insane. Why JZ, why all of a sudden are you hugging Mugabe, the most notorious dictator in this world?

The way Zuma answered journalists on the 5th of March on South African TV was really awful. Since when are sanctions imposed in Zimbabwe?. We don’t need any complications and reopening of past wounds like the vicious farm invasions, (murambatswina) destroying of houses, and MDC leaders being beaten like schoolkids.

We need help definitely from prominent people like Zuma. But we don’t expect insults. The sanctions that are imposed in Zimbabwe are not enough for the rebellious and charlatan Zanu (PF) hedges. The crisis of Zimbabwe, which is full of misery from Mugabe’s governance, didn’t happen in the past decades but now, at last, it has manifested and exposed Mugabe as not being a wise leader.

Jacob Zuma, don’t feel pity for Mugabe because he was advised by the British that if he ever started chasing the white farmers, there would be some drastic measures taken against him. After all, he was also told that his Zimbabwe would be turned into ashes and he ignored that.  

Don’t ever bite the hand that feeds you like Mugabe did. The allies of Zanu (PF), who are involved in the demolishing of Zimbabwe and who influenced Mugabe to show his monsterous nature to his people, are supposed by now to have lifted Zimbabwe to become the richest on the continent. So Zuma, don’t jeopardise your political career with the aging Mugabe. He will surely spoil your political stature.

It’s sad that at the moment we Zimbabweans don’t have anyone who is willing to call a spade a spade. Jacob Zuma, Mugabe is tyranny. Stay away from him. People are dying back home.  

AARON DUBE, South Africa

Hope in Psalm 94

EDITOR – God will keep his people from the severe punishment awaiting the wicked. Since God is holy and just, we can be certain that the wicked will not prevail.

Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs, let your glory shine out. Arise and judge the earth; sentence the proud to the penalties they deserve. Lord, how long shall the wicked be allowed to triumph and exult? Hear their insolence! See their arrogance! How these men of evil boast! See them oppressing your people, O Lord, afflicting those you love. They murder widows, immigrants, and orphans, for “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, he doesn’t care.” Fools! Is God deaf and blind – he who makes ears and eyes? He punishes the nations – won’t he also punish you? He knows everything – doesn’t he also know what you are doing?

The Lord is fully aware of how limited and futile the thoughts of mankind are, so he helps us by punishing us. This makes us follow his path, and gives us respite from our enemies while God traps them and destroys them. The Lord will not forsake his people, for they are his prize. Judgement will again be just and all the upright will rejoice.

Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will be my shield? I would have died unless the Lord had helped me. I screamed, “I’m slipping, Lord!” and he was kind and saved me.

Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.

Will you permit a corrupt government to rule under protection – a government permitting wrong to defeat right? Do you approve of those who condemn the innocent to death?

No! The Lord my God is my fortress – the mighty rock where I can hide. God has made the sins of evil men to boomerang upon them! He will destroy them by their own plans. Jehovah our God will cut them off.

ANON, by email

Keep the peace to stay alive

EDITOR – I appeal to every sober Zimbabwean to keep the peace before, during and after elections. As elections draw closer, emotions may run high. There’s no need to act sentimentally. God has a vision and mission for us as a country. He will always remember Zimbabwe in times of trouble. I feel pity for men of the cloth who are being used by senior politicians to further their agenda. They too shall have their ‘airtime’ in judgement. Remember; let us keep the peace to stay alive.

MR T, University of Zimbabwe

Qualities needed by a president

EDITOR – The current constitution is silent on the qualities of the president. Zimbabwe needs a president who: does not defend the instant wealth of grab and loot; has a good education of at least a Masters Degree for critical thinking, research and international recognition; is emotionally stable and with a balanced background; is an economically astute person who appreciates economic stability; is willing to learn from others and accommodate new ideas for the development of the country, and is willing to research and analyse facts to make calculated/learned decisions. Dr Simba Makoni is such a person.

He is using the defective constitution against his former bosses through changing the mindset. L Madhuku should appreciate that Simba is only exercising his legal rights within the current defective constitution, which is now backfiring on the Zanu (PF) leadership. Madhuku is right to demand a new constitution, but elections are next week.  

I still appeal to all learned professionals to stop quarrelling about principles and procedures at this vital moment when we need unity of purpose to change the current leadership. Simba needs everyone’s support to bring a new Zimbabwe.

Cde Dabengwa is a living hero, who appreciates failure and cheating in the Zanu (PF) leadership. Half of the real war vets are already behind Simba Makoni. If Zanu (PF) miscalculates what is on the ground, there shall be great violence – more than in Kenya immediately after elections.  

The opposition should know that there is bound to be resistance to change even if Zanu (PF) loses the elections. The few security chiefs who already have guns will try to defend their grabbed wealth.

Simba Makoni and DD are ushering the true Patriotic Front promoted by Cde Tongogara. The new party should be called The Patriotic Front. DD has shown that there are many Zanu (PF) chiefs who no longer support the aged leadership as indicated earlier by Cde Simba Makoni. The old man is finding no sleep because he knows that DD is a heavyweight not to be ignored.

The manifestos have been unveiled and the MDC and Simba Makoni have something to offer the electorate. Zanu (PF) is a disaster with nothing to offer the electorate. The propaganda of China and North Korea is meaningless with the current crisis and suffering.

Thugs are hired to coerce rural people into attending rallies, but this is self-defeating as the ballot will bring Simba to leadership of this country with a wider margin. Thirty years of rule by fear should end.

Zanu (PF) is totally silent about the collapse of all services, corruption, thieving, economic decay and everything we experience today. The SADC observers and others should not waste their time by observing urban areas. The violence of Zanu (PF) is directed at the rural people since independence and before. The opposition should develop counter-strategies that protect their supporters in rural areas. Brace yourselves for real violence, as the old man and his war cabinet will not go alone.

Pambili le Patriotic Front, Pamberi ne Patriotic Front. Dr Simba Makoni is our new leader. Pambili lo Simba ebantini, Pamberi na Simba kuvanu.

THE BUSH LAWYER, by email

So the dogs are out again March 29th

EDITOR – Election fever again! One might be forgiven to think that the mood of the electorate in Zimbabwe as we gear ourselves for the 29th March election has never happened before; it has at least during the June 2000 general elections and the subsequent presidential election of 2002. If this is correct then what has changed that makes it different this time for ZANU (PF) not to rig the upcoming elections? Who is likely to be the messiah, Tsvangirai or Makoni? Are we heading for another disappointing long weekend? What if Mugabe rigs the election and makes himself life president?

We Zimbabweans must be prepared to brace for the worst, most disappointing weekend ever!  

Mugabe has always made sure that those in charge of rigging him to power are well fed at least a few months before the election. Is that not what is happening now? Ladies and gentlemen, the dogs are out again! The service chiefs, one by one, will start giving allegiance to Mugabe’s war credentials and even unashamedly declaring war, if elections are won by any other than Mugabe.

Here are some of the indications:  

“Most of us in here are truly owners of the land. This is the sovereignty we should defend at all costs because for us to get at this point others had to lose their lives. At this point our gains should never be reversed,” said Chihuri.

“One of Zimbabwe’s top defence forces chiefs says he will not salute former finance minister Simba Makoni or opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai if either wins the March 29 presidential poll, it was reported Friday.”

“I am giving you an order to vote for the President,” Zimondi told senior army officers at a ceremony in Harare on Thursday.

One needs to understand the structure of the army, CIO and the police. It is not the army chiefs or police chiefs expressing their opinion. No, they are expressing the whims of their master Robert Gabriel Mugabe. We all know that all top officers of each of the said units are appointed on a partisan basis; you have to be Zanu (PF) both in blood and soul.  

Even with the MDC we are making the same mistake. We have of late elected a former Senior Assistant Commissioner Chaora to lead the party in the UK. He was officer commanding the force that arrested and incarcerated me in Harare for giving Mugabe a finger. Surely it should be commonsense that the man is still connected to his masters or former master. How confidential are our records as a party now?

People must be made to know that, in the event of Mugabe losing the elections, nothing will happen. Those are empty threats meant to divert us from the elections, while Mugabe is busy rigging. No army can withstand the people’s revolution whose time has come.  

As much as Mugabe went to war to fight injustice, so can we! Zimbabweans out there, I urge you all to come out in your millions and vote for change, vote for an MDC Government. Let’s save Zimbabwe. We can do it and the time is now!

We know Mugabe is busy rigging, and he must be warned that we have the capacity to be free with or without him!

ELLIOT PFEBVE, by email

POEM [panel]

Disgruntled Teacher

BY ITAYI COLEN

Disgruntled a teacher is,

Such is a dilemma

which the profession

is ferociously put in…

Oh!!

gone are the days…

days we used to walk tall,

days we smartly dressed,

days we ate well,

days we were respected,

days we ever smiled,

days we gave a helping hand,

such are the gone days…

Oh!!

Now we:

stumble with heads down,

wear unevenly patched clothes,

scavenge for food,

we’ve lost dignity,

we are ever stressed,

we are beggars of the day,

we fail to pay school fees for our kids,

such are the days we are in…

we love our pupils,

but there’s nothing we can do…

in these choking working conditions,

which we find  ourselves in…

which have given birth to:

the uncultured society,

the uneducated society,

the unhealthy society,

the jobless society,

the stress-torn society…

such is an outcome of

today’s disgruntled teacher

 

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