Campaign exposes JOC

Red-Card the ZIMafia is the concept for a campaign whose main objective is to unmask the perpetrators of violence and corruption in Zimbabwe, and to alert the AU (Africa Union) and SADC (Southern Africa Development Community) to the danger posed by this ruthless clique, to the peace and security of the region, said a statement by ZDN. The partisan military has seized Zimbabwes rich diamond fields and now has enough money to buy any amount and any type of weapon. There is every indication that Zimbabwe under these military commanders will become another blood diamond conflict area such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC, or Angola. It is showing every sign of becoming another nightmare like Myanmar (Burma).

The ZIMafia is a soccer team Zimbabwes Worst Eleven, and is touring around Johannesburg and Pretoria in the Bling Bus. The unofficial national team, whose club motto is The Looting Continues, comprises members of the illegitimate Joint Operations Command (JOC) and other Zanu (PF) politburo members. The team members, portrayed by actors, are the ones who have committed the worst crimes and have enriched themselves most at the expense of the Zimbabwean population.

The team of actors playing the parts of the ZIMafia Eleven tour on the Bling Bus, dressed in soccer kit. The ZIMafia team is led by Coach Bob, and performs a satirical interactive play every day at a different location in the Gauteng area. Audiences are invited to red-card the team for cheating and foul play.

At the same time, the Red Card Media Centre, temporarily located on the East Campus of Wits University, is staging a series of presentations by prominent Zimbabwean activists and pro-democracy advocates. The Red Card Media Centre provides information on the situation in Zimbabwe. ZDN said it was proud to be part of the campaign. The organisations are funded by a number of donors in and outside Zimbabwe, who have pooled resources and come together to assist this concerted protest and advocacy action while the worlds media spotlight is on South Africa for the football.

We are also grateful for the support from the South African authorities and citizens, whose constitution guarantees us the precious freedom of speech which we do not have at home. ZDN said the GPAs constitutional consultation process, currently under way in Zimbabwe threatened to become another stage-managed production under the guns of the Mugabe elite. While 30 years of dictatorship and mismanagement has produced a failed state with 90% unemployment, the terrorised and jobless people have fled in their millions to the relative safety of neighbouring countries, where there is some hope of earning a living. So many refugees understandably cause friction in the host country. The solution is obvious: to democratise Zimbabwe, end the violence and repression, and recall all the lost citizens home rebuild their once-great nation.

We, the people of Zimbabwe, are grateful for South Africas help, and we call on the continent and the world to recognise the danger and to stand with Zimbabweans in their struggle to be free of the dictator and his brutal military. The only acceptable solution is good governance and the democratisation of our nations resources and our future, said ZDN. Editors note: visit the ZIMafia website for more information on Zimbabwe’s Worst Eleven, ZIMafia Performance Events and Red Card Media Centre Events.