The top Zanu (PF) officials made it clear that should Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) lose the coming election to Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC, they would not accept the outcome of the poll and a military coup would be an option.
Violet Chiwawu of Dombotombo said: “Zimbabweans and the international community should gear themselves up for any eventuality. As downtrodden Zimbabweans are 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.
We will resist Zanu
“In the past, especially at the 2005 elections, the SADC election observer mission failed to fully meet its mandate. This time around we want a credible international observer mission. The mission should be deployed to start monitoring the electoral process beginning at the election campaign stage, until power has been peacefully handed over to the winner. As peace loving people, we will resist Zanu (PF) efforts to deny Zimbabweans the right to freedom of choice through the ballot. Chinamasa, Gumbo and their likes will be proved wrong.”
Diamond Tenifara, a victim of Zanu (PF) violence since 1999 when MDC was formed, said the coming elections would be a watershed event and stakes were high.
“The election mood resembles that of 1980 and the plebiscite should attract as much international observer attention. Since the political environment is so fragile, there is a need for a full scale UN observer mission to monitor coming elections. The 2013 political transition process is as volatile as that of 1980 and the situation warrants the heavy presence of a military UN mission. 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 displaced.
“Following the defeat of Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) by Tsvangirai and MDC, the military held on to the poll results and virtually conducted a quiet coup. A repeat of the 2008 scenario should not be allowed to happen. Peacekeepers should be deployed six months before elections and leave six months after. In fact, people talking about a coup should be made accountable for their dangerous incitements.”
A street vendor, Define Nyatondo, called on the people of Zimbabwe to defend their political choices at all costs.
“Since Zimbabweans were generally peace loving and defenceless in the face of military action by Zanu (PF). The people should resist any military coup attempts by the former ruling party. The MDC-M should organise peaceful mass protests against a military coup in whatever form. SADC, AU and the UN are obliged to swiftly protect protesting masses against the blood thirsty military.”
Good losers
A housewife, Elizabeth Chipato, of Rujeko, described Chinamasa and Gumbo’s position on MDC victory and a possible coup as either mere threats meant to cow the electorate from participating in the plebiscite or the last kicks of a dying horse.
“Zanu (PF) should be mature enough to appreciate that elections are a democratic process. In any competition, there should be good losers and winners are rewarded for a job well done. Should Zanu (PF) resort to a military coup, Zimbabweans should overcome their fear and stage mass protests.
“Since SADC was mandated to seek assistance from AU and UN, we expect the regional body to make timeous decisions. SADC should invite the international community to monitor the Zimbabwe political process on the ground, since potential bad losers have made their intentions clear. If elections can be peacefully conducted in regional countries under SADC guidelines, why not here?” said Chipato.
There are reports that during previous elections, identified CIO operatives infiltrated the election observer system and masqueraded as SADC observer mission officials.
Tafireyi Anyway is of the opinion that regional and international communities should take Chinamasa and Gumbo’s threats of a coup seriously.
“I remember Chinamasa in the company of Augustine Chihuri, Nicholas Goche and others, visiting political refugees at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre on 6 July 2008. They impressed upon international Non-Governmental Organisations that local organisations would take care of MDC inmates fleeing political violence around the country.
Shot in the head
“Shortly after the international organisations under the auspices of the UN had left, plain clothed gunmen infiltrated the centre and made attempts on our lives. I was shot in the head, possibly because I was the spokesperson for the refugees who had taken
Chinamasa and his team to task over our security. I had to live with a bullet lodged in my head for seven days before receiving medical attention to remove it. Chinamasa and people of his thinking can do anything and there is urgent need for people to prepare for any eventuality. When the time comes, people should take the initiative to protect their ballot.
“Should Zanu (PF) gets its way and stage a coup, people should mount a spirited resistance and the international community under the UN umbrella should step in. MDC should not participate in any elections without full reforms,” said Tafireyi.
The majority of residents across the community said it would be in the best interests of foiling the coup, if soldiers could be confined to the barracks during the elections.
Post published in: News