Letters

EDITOR – MDC legislators should be congratulated for showing Robert Mugabe during the opening of the Parliament what he truly is – the self-imposed President of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe is using the state security apparatus such as the army and police to keep in power, but he should know that the people of Zimbabwe have rejected him and when the moment that he leaves office come, we will come out in our millions and celebrate the end of our misery.

The heckling of Mugabe in Parliament by the MPs was a reflection of what every Zimbabwean wants to do.

I want to urge the MDC MPs to continue fighting for our rights under these

trying and difficult times. – ANON., by e-mail

A prayer for Zimbabwe

EDITOR – For all those who are suffering persecution for their beliefs,

For those who mourn the loss of loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods.

For those falsely accused and jailed.

Dear Lord, enfold our country and all its people in your shining white light of hope,

The warmth of your love, the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Lord rekindle the flame of kindness in each person.

Let all Zimbabweans join hands in your name.

And Lord we pray that you will lead us together into a new way of life

Serving, through you, our people and our environment.

Amen. – KERRY KAY, by e-mail

Mr. Speaker sir!

EDITOR – Zimbabwe’s first opposition Speaker has been elected signifying a historic shift from Zanu (PF) parliamentary, political and government dominance. The speaker is a very powerful position in government with significant leverage to influence events, ensure effective and efficient representation as a third arm of the government and in our case is the main and clear representation of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.  

Prior to August 25, 2008 Speaker’s influence has been diluted by the fact that they all came from the ruling party; they acted as party chief whips instead of being independent and impartial leadership. Will the new Speaker and parliament live up to expectations? How will the new parliament co-exist with an illegitimate Executive? What are the powers of the speaker of parliament in relation to the governance of our country?  

Being the speaker of parliament, he is essentially the speaker of the Zimbabwean people. He should thus endeavor to ensure that the voice of the majority is always reflected in parliament.

The character of the speaker will determine how he fares in the Zimbabwean political landscape. Whilst some powers and functions are not categorically stated in the constitution, it is within his prerogative to use precedence or to set precedence. It is within the influence of the Speaker to determine when laws reach the flow, when they are debated and controls the flow of debate. The speaker also has considerable influence over parliamentary committees, determining what they should debate, investigate or who they should interview or interrogate.  

How the parliament will relate to an illegitimate executive is fundamental if Zimbabwe is to rise from the current quagmire. It should be the business, urgent business, of the parliament to assess the progress of the power sharing talks, debate and proffer a sustainable and plausible way forward. It should be within the prerogative of the new speaker to ensure that this becomes the first debate of the 7th parliament. – COLLEN CHIBANGO, by e-mail

Mugabe must go

EDITOR – Doctors, nurses, ZESA employees, prison services, University lecturers, teachers and all parastatals including government departments are on strike.  

Mugabe must go before we will report for work. – ANON., by e-mail

Tsvangirai was right

EDITOR – Reading the fine print on the proposed “power sharing” deal anyone except Robert Mugabe’s cronies will understand why the MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai refused to sign it as the deal leaves Mugabe effectively in charge of the country, which he has also destroyed.

In the proposed deal, Tsvangirai would only be deputy chair of cabinet, while Mugabe would maintain the chair, which leaves Mugabe in charge of the state and Tsvangirai in charge of government.

But this is not the case, as Mugabe will continue to control both the state and government.

Tsvangirai is correct when he says that this new prime minister position was not being given any real executive powers. He was also right to reject the South African President Thabo Mbeki and SADC offer because it is not a real power-sharing deal.

Tsvangirai should continue to fight for a position that truly reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe and not be lured by fancy positions that are of no use to the suffering of the majority. – EDNA MUSARURWA, Masvingo  

Stone-age media

EDITOR – ZBC should be given the surname ‘Repeat’. Government monopoly over the broadcast media with the help of Mahoso has placed our media in Stone Age. This grip on the print and broadcasting media is not in line with the freedom of the people of Zimbabwe. – COSTA MKINYA, by e-mail

Criminal works for Mugabe

EDITOR – I have just read with interest that Felix Pambukani now claims to work for

the President’s office. There is very little that would surprise me as far as Zanu (Pf) is concerned but I know for a fact that Felix Pambuknai is a convicted criminal who was tried together with Never Banda, Never Mhuriro and a few others and served 10 years in jail. This case was in May, June and July 1994 and appeared in the High Court before Justice Bartlett. If he now works for the President’s Office, then they have really sunk low. – ANON., by e-mail

United we stand

EDITOR – In Rhodesia we fought against minority rule, we demanded a one man, one vote and the people won. The 1980 government promised us a bright future. Today, we see the rejected being sworn in to do the job they have failed to do for the past 28 years. Patrick Chinamasa was rejected by his constituents and is a man behind the violence against Zimbabweans. His presence proves that the unpopular rules the majority.

It’s time for new ideas. Let’s march together against betrayal and corruption and in support of true leaders promising a better life for all citizens.

Divided we fall, united we stand. – I. PHIRI, Northampton

The last hurdle

EDITOR – When we began this struggle we all knew there would be certain hardships but the struggle for a new Zimbabwe is for the Zimbabwean people and only Zimbabweans will bring this awaited change. Arresting, killing and intimidating opposition will never keep Mugabe in office. We are approaching the last hurdle and Zimbabwe will be free again. – HAPPYMORE CHIDZIVA, by e-mail

We will not rest

EDITOR – Zanu (PF) must know that by protecting Mugabe they are setting themselves up to be answerable for Mugabe’s crimes if he dies before answering for himself. If they think Mugabe’s successor will protect them, they are fooling themselves.

We will not rest until democracy is achieved in Zimbabwe. Mugabe should submit to the people’s will or he will die a miserable death. He has only got one way of escaping justice: surrendering all powers to the people and asking for forgiveness. – GENERAL NDUMUREYENGOZI, by e-mail

Open letter to SADC

EDITOR – Under the leadership of the new chairman, Thabo Mbeki, we thought your body was created to enhance democracy and not to support the losing governments when they cling to power.

Mugabe was rejected by the people of Zimbabwe but you recognised him as a head of state at Sandton and you equated him to Mutambara who was not even a presidential candidate.

Oligarchy in Zimbabwe is fanned by you dear leaders.  

I wonder why you gave Mugabe authority to open parliament? How can you make us believe that you haven’t told him to appoint a cabinet? What about appointing a senate and governors? Is it not the duty of an elected President like Tsvangirai that you gave to Mugabe?

It seems that you are afraid that MDC can lead the country. Do you care for Zimbabwe? – LOVEMORE CHIKANDINDIWA, Pretoria

Thanks to a man of God

EDITOR – The Central Methodist Church is a house of God built centuries ago. Now it has gained its fullest purpose ever since it was built. Most foreigners breathed a sigh of relief by receiving a warm welcome and open doors for them to relieve the trauma they have gone through. Many skills are being developed and a lot of assistance is being offered, what a place to be.

Bishop Paul Verryn – blessed are you when men revile you, persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven. Woe to those by whom the son of man is persecuted. – TAFADZWANASHE GUMINDOGA, by e-mail

Zim is not a tuck shop

EDITOR – Mugabe, sovereignty is not all about ruling Zimbabwe like a tuck shop. People’s rights are being severely abused, don’t you remember what democracy is all about? Why are your people running away from? All those wounded and killed before, during and after the elections suffered because there is no peace in Zimbabwe. Shame on you Sekuru Bob. – ANON., by e-mail   

Letter to ambassador of Botswana

EDITOR – The treatment of Zimbabweans at your Ramakgwebane Border Post is totally inhuman. The clerks at the desks at immigration act as if they are on a go slow. I travelled to Botswana recently, arriving at Ramakgwebane at 7.15am and leaving at 1.00pm.  There were only two clerks serving a winding queue of both arrivals and departures.

Zimbabweans must pay P120 to cross the border.

In South Africa xenophobic attacks are physical while Botswana is torturing us mentally. Can you please look into this matter urgently and do not make us suffer more than we already are. – ANON., by e-mail

Forging a new Constitution

EDITOR – Robert Mugabe is doomed. His tricks have turned him into a fool. He is no longer fit for Houses of Parliament in Zimbabwe, especially the lower House where he was disciplined for the first time by the energetic MDC-T MPs.  

Now that the House of Assembly is constituted let us think about the need for a new Constitution. A further examination of the splendid South African Constitution reveals that the current Lancaster House Constitution is silent about the fundamentals of power sharing and good governance The South African Constitution is very clear about the Bill of Rights always violated by Mugabe and his stooges.  

Robert Mugabe, the former President, and his Junta are law unto themselves and any democratic principles are grossly violated with all impunity against world opinion.  

Please SADC deliver us from such temptations of violence. Zimbabwean people are suffering and it is the same clique being recycled as if there are no better people even in Zanu (PF) itself. We only hope that MDC-T will not sign cooked up documents with missing pages. The will of the people has got to be honoured. Parliament has to be accountable to the people and not the other way round. – THE BUSH LAWYER, by e-mail