There was an enormous crowd of women and men, all singing and shouting their opposition to the various injustices heaped on their heads by an uncaring government. Any government official seeing this huge manifestation of dissatisfaction would surely have been just a little worried but perhaps they are all so arrogant they just cant believe that such demonstrations are any real threat to them?
The women had assembled outside Tredgold Buildings in Bulawayo to voice their anger at, well, just about everything, as their placards illustrated. Strangely, there were no police present that I could see though they were clearly present just about everywhere else doing Augustine Chihuris bidding. The release of various detained activists on bail, including Minister Elton Mangoma who appeared in court in prison garb and handcuffs, was simultaneously accompanied by threats and outright attacks on NGOs clearly directed by the Commissioner of Police who is reported to have political ambitions. The shocking sight of a highly respected MP and Minister in the Unity Government in handcuffs and wearing prison garb should be warning enough that Mugabe will stop at nothing to silence his perceived enemies, however trumped up the charges. Joseph Mades decision to bar UN agencies and NGOs from conducting national food surveys is yet another indication of Zanu PFs indifference to the welfare of its own people.
The decision by a British judge to return Zimbabwean asylum seekers to their country of origin on the grounds that Zimbabwe is now deemed safe seems incomprehensible in the light of what is happening inside the country. The creation of a so-called Unity Government has it seems created the impression that all is now well. The truth is very different; the absolute lack of human decency or compassion shown by the Zanu PF thugs and assorted war veterans and militia who are harassing and intimidating the population is one of the saddest aspects of what has happened in Zimbabwe after thirty years of Mugabes dictatorship. Morgan Tsvangirais trip to seek regional support and alert African leaders to the true state of affairs in Zimbabwe is unlikely to yield any more positive results than it has in the past. With the whole worlds attention focussed on the tragic developments in Japan and the ongoing crisis in Libya as Gadaffi hangs onto power, African leaders are rather more concerned with their own futures, than the fate of ordinary Zimbabwean people.
The UNs decision to approve a No Fly Zone over Libya is perhaps a sign that the world is becoming less tolerant of dictators oppressing their own people. Defending the indefensible best describes Robert Mugabes defence of his friend Gadaffi. As usual, Mugabe blamed the west for the whole debacle which is interesting when you consider that Gadaffi himself blamed the rebellion on Al Qaidas influence! There is nothing Mugabe can say which will convince the world of his own democratic credentials despite his partys desperate attempts to garner signatures for their anti-sanctions petition. Schools, soldiers and policemen are all being forced to sign but, like the Woza women, the general population are only too aware of the real cause of their suffering.
Yours in the (continuing) struggle PH. aka Pauline Henson author of the Dube books. The latest in the Dube series, Samis Story, is available on lulu.com
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