The Zimbabwean’s team of reporters went out into the streets in various parts of the country to gather people’s views on the utterances by the two Zanu (PF) members and the following are some of the sentiments expressed by the electorate, which generally expressed indignation and anger at the two.
Bulawayo
Stephen Moyo: “Chinamasa and Gumbo should all be arrested for treason. These statements are meant to clearly incite the army to revolt against Tsvangirai in the event of a win by the MDC leader. If anyone outside Zanu (PF) had uttered these statements, I am sure by now he would be languishing in prison.
“I think these treasonous statements from these Zanu (PF) senior officials had the blessings of the party. I think it’s a calculated strategy by Zanu (PF) to intimidate and threaten voters not to vote for the MDC.”
Mauto Ndlovu: “If Chinamasa and Gumbo were not sent by the party, the party should have immediately distanced itself from the statements. These threats should be taken seriously by the electorate. These two guys are clearly speaking on behalf of their party.
“Why should we pretend to be democratic when we are not? Why spend scarce resources in an election whose results will not be accepted? These guys should surely be made to answer actions when we have a new democratic government in this country,” he said.
Mauto urged the MDC to take the issue to SADC which is the guarantor of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
Marondera
Violet Chiwawu of Dombotombo: “Zimbabweans and the international community should gear themselves for any eventuality, in the event that Zanu (PF) and the partisan military live up to their threats. As people desperately in need of true democracy and political independence, we are determined to protest and defend our vote this time around. The regional grouping, SADC, should be fully backed by AU and the UN in its efforts to oversee a smooth and trouble-free transitional process after the poll.
“In the past, especially at the 2005 elections, the SADC election observer mission failed to fully meet its mandate as Zimbabweans felt short- changed by the regional body. Suspected MDC supporters could be seen being harassed by Zanu (PF) while the ‘SADC’ observers watched helplessly. This time around we want a credible international observer mission.
“The mission should be deployed to start monitoring the electoral process from the election campaign stage, until power has peacefully been handed over to the winner. As peace loving people, we would resist Zanu (PF) efforts to deny Zimbabweans the right to freedom of choice through the ballot. Chinamasa, Gumbo and their likes should be proved wrong.”
Diamond Tenifara, a victim of Zanu (PF) violence: “The current mood resembles that of 1980 (just before independence from colonial rule). Since the political environment is so fragile with threats of a military coup flying thick, there is need for a fullscale UN observer mission to monitor coming elections. . The international community should have learnt a lesson from the bloody June 2008 Presidential election re-run, which left hundreds of suspected MDC supporters either killed or injured with thousands others displaced.
“A repeat of the 2008 scenario should not be allowed to happen. The UN should turn the country blue with its berets and helmets while peace keeping helicopters should be common place. Peace keepers should deploy six months before elections and leave six months later.”
Define Nyatondo, a street vendor: “Zimbabweans are a peace-loving people and resist any military coup attempts by Zanu (PF). Since MDC supporters remained vulnerable to armed gangs, the Morgan Tsvangirai led Movement for Democratic Change, should organise people for peaceful mass protests against a military coup in whatever form.”
Elizabeth Chipato, a housewife from Rujeko: “Zanu (PF) should be mature enough to appreciate that elections by nature are a democratic process similar to a race. In any competition, there should be good losers and winners. In any case, should Zanu (PF) resort to a military coup in the event it loses the coming elections to MDC or any one of its rivals, this time around Zimbabweans should overcome their fear and stage mass protests like other countries did recently. If elections could be peacefully conducted in other regional countries under SADC guidelines, why not here?”
Maidei Mohamed of Rujeko: “There is need for the presence of a genuine SADC observer mission. We are already in a mess and have nothing more to lose from claiming what belongs to us.”
Tafireyi Anyway: “Deployment of election observers and monitors should be now. They should monitor the whole process starting with the constitution-making referendum expected early next year. MDC should not participate in any elections without full reforms. During elections, soldiers should be confined to barracks.”
Midlands
Musafari Hunda of Chikudo under Chief Mpakami in Zvishavane (46): “They (Zanu PF) should make sure people are not starving. They should simply satisfy us. We want dams, transport and employment for the young,not war from ZANU (PF),” he said.
Mildred Ntabeni (63) of Shurugwi: “Kingship is like a marathon button. It should be passed on. No one can run and win without passing it on. So if Zanu (PF)’s time is up, they should simply pass on the button to the next party which should also do the same when the time comes.”
Justin Gwazimba (42) of Shurugwi: “One side should win and the outcome accepted. Everyone should win through the ballot and the people’s power should reign. We will stand up to defend our vote,” said Gwazimba.
Moses Chikwadze of Mkoba in Gweru: “It’s a shock to us. We do not want leaders to intimidate us. We are in a game and someone says it’s only them who should win. We will not tolerate. Never!.”
Harare
Willias Makato (47), a Highfield resident: “What Chinamasa and Gumbo said goes to confirm that the military, just like the police are partisan. They have exposed themselves as an extension of Zanu-(PF) and they are a threat to democracy in Zimbabwe.”
Tariro Chiminga (24), a UZ student: “The threats should not be taken lightly.
It just shows we are heading for another bloody election and even if Zanu (PF) loses, they would do what they did in March 2008 when they rigged the election and killed people.
Victor Ngadza (36) of Warren Park D: “If one party wants to be in power forever, what is the point of us going for elections. This just shows that we will never have free and fair elections in this country,”
Joseph: “That’s the problem with Zanu (PF), they want to die in power. Zanu (PF) is desperate and power hungry. I am not really surprised about the possibility of a coup; it is typical of Zanu (PF.,”
Kupakwashe Zvaramba (24): “The people’s choice and will should just be respected. I will never vote for Zanu (PF), coup or no coup. If they are the winning party we will see when we go for elections, there is no need for all these threats.”
Mativenga Kwaramba (65) of Ruwa: “It was not easy for us to attain independence in Zimbabwe and if we allow MDC to rule we would have sold the country to the same people who colonized us. All the Western countries that support MDC are interested in exploiting us, so you can imagine what they will do if MDC wins.”
Mazvita Mucheregi (32) of Mabvuku: “Tsvangirai has shown us that he is not capable of ruling this country. He is a woman abuser so we would rather let Mugabe remain in power. A coup is surely possible if his party wins the next election.”
Post published in: News