During October, ninety-one media online articles were analysed showing breaches to the GPA. These breaches have been categorised by violation form which we have drawn statistics.
Last month saw the conclusion to the constitutional outreach programme showing a drop in breaches. However, violence, intimidation, hate speech and abductions remain present as reflected in 21 (32.1%) articles. Corruption rates second with 19 (20.9%) articles and court injustice coming in third with 10 (11%). Combined, these three breaches total 54.9% of the total collated incidents.
Within these, Zanu PF were identified as the responsible parties in 94% of the violations. Most worrying is that Zanu PF seem to be corrupting avenues of democracy for the purposes of manipulating the possible 2011 electoral process. Their ongoing de-facto control of government and the security sector continues without any appropriate response from SADC and South African president Jacob Zuma. Continuous documentation of the media shows a general lack of insight and knowledge of the current political situation.
In early October, President Mugabe unilaterally appointed Zanu PF governors for another term which blatantly violates the GPA, and the constitution. Mugabe should have consulted with Tsvangirai before making such a decision showing a deliberate act of antagonism to the other two principals.
It has been discovered that children are being forced to attend army-run schools where they undergo military training in preparation for deployment on behalf of Zanu PF in the coming election. Army commander, Lieutenant-General Phillip Sibanda tried to give the impression that the cadetship exercise was innocent, and just an initiation into the realm of loyalty, patriotism, discipline, responsible citizenry and selfless service to others. Simon Khaya Moyo, Zanu PF National Chairman said this month We are a revolutionary party and any other party which thinks they will rule this country is day dreaming. We will not relinquish power to any other party other than ZANU-PF, illustration the lack of political will to act in accordance with the GPA and risk losing absolute power
Corruption of the education system has reached such levels of penetration that even Grade 7 examinations conspire to push the Zanu PF agenda, as can be seen in this question:
Question 15.
Before Independence, blacks and whites failed to live together peacefully because:
A. The whites had guns.
B. The blacks liked to strike.
C. The whites did not like the blacks.
D. All the blacks wanted to live in towns.
One angry parent said I cannot be counted among experts in exam item writing, [but] I am certain about items that are definitely not suitable for a multi-cultural and progressive society . especially if such misplaced philosophies are to be fed to innocent kids.
Traditional Chiefs, new farmers and senior army commanders are to meet at 2 Brigade Headquarters in Harare, to plan how to secure Mugabes grip on power for the next elections. Corruptly using state resources and personnel, together with traditional chiefs who are required by the GPA/constitution to be apolitical, the meeting is expected to be held at Cranborne Barracks to find ways of retaining Mugabe as president after elections expected in 2010.
Looking next at legal harassment of figures perceived to be a threat to Zanu-PF, it has been reported that the Police Serious Fraud Department is fabricating serious charges against MDC-T Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, who has effectively starved Zanu PF of its previously unbridled access to government coffers. We are working on a docket incriminating Biti for serious abuse of office. If the plan is successful, he will be removed from office and put under police investigation before end of this year. He would be replaced at the ministry of finance with someone more generous with state funds, said a detective.
Lawyers representing Nyanga North MP, Douglas Mwonzora, effectively have Zanu-PF backed into a corner for the moment at least in a case of legal harassment. On Friday they made an application to have his case referred and be heard at the Supreme Court on whether his constitutional right to freedom of expression is not being violated. Mwonzora is accused of insulting and undermining the authority of President Robert Mugabe when he referred to him as a goblin. Lawyers representing the MP argued that prosecuting Mwonzora under Section 33 of the constitution for allegedly insulting president Mugabe was infringing on his right to freedom of expression and political rights. Zanu-PF have been using this particular avenue of legal harassment for many years to restrict the activities of opposition figures.
Last but not least we end with an example of how Zanu-PF responds to humanitarian crises, with a report from Johannesburg, South Africa, where hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans have fled to find work, and are living under extremely harsh conditions. The Zimbabwe consulate in Johannesburg has stopped the South African Communist Party (SACP) from giving soup to starving Zimbabweans. An SACP official said that the Consul General Chris Mapanga told them to stop as it was embarrassing the Zimbabwean community. Mothusi Mongele from SACP said, The Consul said the Zimbabweans are working and can feed themselves. if there is anyone who is starving they will send him with the next bus to Zimbabwe. Palesa Motsome from SACP said We are a party that cares for the marginalised. Zimbabweans have assisted us before.
A summary of breaches mentioned in this mailing appear below. Further information, with links to original sources for all cases logged, are available online. Please visit www.sokwanele.com/zigwatch for counts and tallies of ongoing breaches of the Global Political Agreement.
Post published in: News