Ordinary people who demonstrated in Mutare in protest at Roy Bennet's
arrest were brutally dealt with by the ZanuPF Repressive Police (ZRP).
Yes, the inclusive government may be in place, but to date nothing has
changed in this country. It would therefore be premature to consider
relaxing the sanctions leveled against Mugabe and his henchmen.
Countries, people and organizations that are urging the removal of
sanctions are probably misinformed about the evil that Mugabe and his
demonic political party can do to all of us right now.
Western democracies that have indicated that they have adopted a wait
and see attitude have done the right thing. Mugabe cannot be trusted;
he is not trustworthy. He is a cunning fox and needs to be watched all
the time. A leopard does not change its colours. A tyrant who is used
to inflicting excruciating pain on innocent people without flinching
cannot be expected to suddenly behave in a humane manner just because
some piece of paper was signed by a few men in the presence of the
failed Thabo Mbeki. Much more meaningful change will have to be
demonstrated by the Mugabe regime before any serious consideration is
made regarding the lifting of travel restrictions and other sanctions
against Mugabe and his partners in crimes against the people of
Zimbabwe. Civil society in Zimbabwe, working closely with international
civic groups, will need to set clearly defined benchmarks that the new
government will have to meet before sanctions and travel restrictions
are reviewed.
One of these benchmarks will have to be an end to police brutality
against persons peacefully demonstrating against the government for a
good reason. A further benchmark will possibly be the immediate release
of Roy Bennet, Jestina Mukoko and the other MDC activists currently
under arrest. The new government will also need to demonstrate that it
is seriously preparing to undertake exercises aimed at facilitating the
writing of a people-driven constitution. Preparations for this crucial
activity need to begin right away if we are to get rid of this
compromise government soon. Properly democratic elections can only be
held in this country after the acceptance of a people-driven democratic
constitution through a referendum. It will also be necessary to
establish that Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC are truly exercising the
power and authority allocated to them under the PGA without hindrance.
Some of us are very skeptical about Mugabe's capability to allow Morgan
free rein in undertaking state business as stipulated in the GPA.
Should any of these and many other benchmarks fail to be met by the new
government, then the sanctions should remain firmly in place.
Mugabe needs to be made aware that he will not be able to hide under
Tsvangirai's shorts in order to escape Western imposed travel
restrictions and sanctions. He needs to know that only Morgan
Tsvangirai can dust him up and present to developed countries as a
repentant dictator. Indeed, Mugabe must be eternally grateful to
Tsvangirai for agreeing to be part of the so-called inclusive
government. No one in his political party can cleanse Mugabe of his
ugly reputation other than Morgan and the MDC. Sanctions need to stay
in place until the tyrant is squeaky clean. This is bound to take a lot
of time, and tons and tons of detergent.