That President Jacob Zuma and his fellow Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders have not done nearly as much as they could have to push President Robert Mugabe to accept a democratic solution to Zimbabwes political crisis is beyond question.But this is hardly their worst crime against Zimbabweans. As history shall one day testify, the SADC leaders greatest betrayal of Zimbabweans is that they have consistently blocked those who would have helped this country.
By invoking the doctrine of African solutions to African problems, by insisting that they hold the primary mandate to deal with the Zimbabwe problem and yet allowing Mugabe to defy them at every turn, the SADC leaders have merely provided a convenient cover for Zanu (PF) to commit many horrible crimes against Zimbabweans without fear of punishment from the wider international community.
And as Mugabe and Zanu (PF) crank up the machinery of violence in their bid to steal next years elections even before a single vote is cast, the SADC leaders must be told that the innocent blood certain to be shed in Zimbabwes villages and towns shall be on their hands as much as it shall be on the hands of those who will order and carry out the killings.
The SADC has recommended a road map to elections that should among other things include the adoption of a new constitution, drawing up of a fresh voters roll, ending of political violence and the passing of new electoral rules by Parliament to ensure the vote is truly free and fair.
None of the above has been done. We might be lucky to get a new constitution before the vote. But there is no guarantee the charter will be the democratic document that Zimbabweans are hoping for after Zanu (PF) again in the face of SADC intimidated villagers to parrot the partys views during the public outreach programme.
But what is worse is that SADC has clearly chosen to become mere bystanders as Zanu (PF) started in the past weeks unrolling the apparatus of violence in preparation for polls.
Journalists have been summoned to police stations, harassed and threatened, while others are being hunted down by police in a clear attempt to muzzle the media ahead of elections.
In far-flung Rushinga, scores of teachers were forced to flee marauding Zanu (PF) youths who want to punish them for polluting the area with MDC politics.
In Masvingo city, up to 500 soldiers in uniform marched through the streets the other week threatening war unless Mugabe is allowed to rule for life. More soldiers have been deployed in the provinces and at Zanu (PF) headquarters to run the partys campaign programme.
The last time the army helped Zanu (PF)s campaign in 2008, at least 200 MDC supporters were left dead and thousands of others displaced form their homes. We can guarantee this will read like childs play given what is at stake in the next vote.
Yet all we hear from Zuma is the Good News that he is talking to Zimbabwes political leaders to urge them to iron out their differences and craft a roadmap to elections as stipulated by SADC. At this late hour, a mere four months before the unity government expires! Where was he all along?
By giving us Zumas dithering and ineffective mediation when there were others on the continent even within SADC itself — who could have done a better job of it, the regional leaders are complicity in the murder and violence that we are sure to witness once election season begins.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga