There can be no doubt that the forthcoming elections will not be free and fair. The evidence is there for everyone to see.
First of all, the Mugabe regime is insisting on holding the elections under a constitution which it has already agreed is flawed. The MDC and Zanu (PF) negotiators have agreed on a new constitution, but Mugabe wants to hold the elections under the present constitution, which tips the scales in his favour.
Despite agreements in Pretoria about a new Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Mugabe has gone ahead unilaterally and re-constituted the old one, whose impartiality has been questioned. This body is going ahead with delimitation of constituencies without consultation with other interested parties. We have received reports of gerrymandering of constituency boundaries to dilute the urban vote.
The voters’ roll is in a total shambles, with numerous genuine errors as well as hundreds of thousands of ghost voters.
The opposition is still unable to campaign freely around the country. MDC activists continue to be harassed and even murdered – as reported in this week’s issue.
Mugabe’s insistence on holding the elections in March, knowing full well that the entire process is flawed, can only result in him continuing to rule as an illegitimate president – reviled by his own people, and despised and isolated by the international community.
There is no point in holding elections simply for the sake of it. What is important is to get things right before that, so that there is no dispute afterwards.
Please think again
We are disappointed that a Zimbabwean company is exporting fish to the UK at a time when there are massive food shortages at home.
We understand all the arguments for such a move – the desperate need for employment creation at a time when 85% of Zimbabweans are jobless; the vital need to raise foreign currency for basic inputs such as fuel and power; etc.
We are not against Zimbabwe exporting goods in general. Food is the issue at stake here. We believe it is morally unjustifiable for a country dependent upon food aid to be exporting food.
The argument that Zimbabweans cannot afford to buy the fish is nonsense as many of them are spending huge sums importing food parcels from South Africa.
The deal is ill-advised and the company concerned needs to think again. Â
Word for Today
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance… But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…. You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3, 8-13
Post published in: News