Mugabe abuses Heroes’ Day ceremony

Heroes Acre is a national monument erected to honour the dead – those who served the people of Zimbabwe. Now Mugabe deflects the nation’s respect from these fallen heroes in order to serve his desire for power.

Until Mugabe realises that such occasions are to be used to unite a nation and stir national pride, our problems will remain. Zanu (PF) continues to divide any opposition to its grip on power. Mugabe achieved this by praising Arthur Mutambara and denouncing Tsvangirai in public yet again.

 

We are disappointed at Mugabe’s failure to condemn the violence that continues to ravage the nation. His Heroes’ speech announced that if people try to take away Zimbabwe’s sovereignty then people can only react – Mugabe code for if the people of Zimbabwe continue to support MDC then my people will continue to beat them. This sort of rhetoric ensures that the
violence in Zimbabwe will continue until Mugabe’s fist is removed – the army to return to barracks and the youth militia to be disbanded. Send these children back to school!

 

After stealing the election and embarking on a campaign of terror in which more than 120 opposition activists have been killed and hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans displaced, Mugabe is lucky to be included in any discussions regarding the future.

The fact that he and his thugs may be granted amnesty is a mockery. Why is it that the losers are the ones making the most noise? Mutambara and Mugabe were both rejected by the people and now see this Government of National Unity as their only opportunity to snatch power.

 

Mutambara has even adopted Mugabe’s anti-West sentiments in an attempt to curry favour. If he and Mugabe are serious about brokering a deal in the best interests of Zimbabweans, they must stop attacking Morgan. Violence must be condemned. A deal must be reached in order to ensure continued SADC and international recognition. All political prisoners must be released and press freedom assured.

 

In the absence of these fundamentals, the talks will be nothing more than a dog-fight for a place at the feeding trough – now almost empty after decades of Zanu thievocracy.

 

Mandipaka – act like a policeman, not a green bomber
Police spokesman Oliver Mandipaka recently labelled The Zimbabwean a hostile newspaper. Coming from a public servant, we find this declaration somewhat alarming.

 

The Zimbabwean is fiercely patriotic. It supports the maintenance of law and order, peace and justice for all and the development of Zimbabwe as a truly independent, democratic nation where every individual can reach his/her maximum potential.

 

If Oliver deems this stance hostile, then perhaps he should tell us just what it is he stands for. He should not confuse criticism of Zanu (PF) with hostility towards Zimbabwe – the two are not the same. He should stop thinking like a greem bomber and act like a policeman – that is what he is paid to do.