It was a very small basket and I dont think it would even have been much use for its original purpose, let alone carrying a full-grown adult. Witches normally travel on a hyenas back, I thought, but whatever the mode of transport, this particular witch-person had travelled from Murehwa into Harare on a winnowing basket to carry out some nefarious purpose. The gallant ZRP- always there when you need them – had arrested her and she was being charged under the Suppression of Witchcraft Act a leftover from colonial times. Various experts in traditional practices were called to give testimony as to the validity of the witch-persons claim to have flown from Murehwa but in the midst of the proceedings the witch-person went into a trance and started to make very loud and angry hissing noises! Absolute panic in the by now crowded courtroom as the magistrate called a halt to the proceedings and demanded to know where the snake noises were coming from! Apparently the Magistrate was having real difficulty deciding whether the witch-person should be released on bail because the court could not be entirely certain she wouldnt just climb in her basket and fly off back to Murehwa! Who knows, next time we hear of her, the witch-person may be striking a rock and bringing forth US dollar notes! It was diesel fuel last time and certain credulous Zanu PF ministers were only too willing to believe that piece of witchcraft.
I was thinking about the Flying Witch as I walked to the Polling Station on Thursday to cast my vote in the local and EU elections. The place was abuzz with activity, all under the watchful eye of the British police. The state of British democracy is nothing to write home about at the moment but at least all the murky goings-on are out in the open for everyone to see, thanks to a free press and a genuine Freedom of Information Act. Details of MPs expenses published on a daily basis have not unnaturally caused a huge wave of anger in the British public which will certainly be revealed to the Labour Partys detriment as the election results come in. As I said last week, thats how democracy works; if the people lose faith in the government they elected, then they can demonstrate their disapproval when voting time comes round again. For that system to work, of course, you need free and fair elections which brings me neatly back to Zimbabwe.
As Morgan Tsvangirai and his high-powered delegation prepare to travel to Europe and the US to persuade them to drop sanctions and rescue the bankrupt country, ordinary Zimbabweans are wondering why their lives have not substantially improved in the 100+ days since the GNU has been in existence. One reason for the peoples understandable confusion is the contradictory voices coming from within the MDC itself. Last Sunday, for example, the Prime Minister gave his own supporters a frank admission that the government which he leads has not been able fully enforce the rule of law. Political intimidation and human rights abuses continue in Zimbabwe, he admitted Not two days later, an upbeat Prime Minister was telling the BBC that the period of acrimony is over. If that is the case, how does Morgan Tsvangirai explain why Zanu PF supporters and war vets continue to attack MDC members with the ZRP doing nothing to prevent these violent attacks.
Local chiefs are still punishing villagers for their support of the former opposition party. That doesnt sound as if the acrimony is over. How does the PM explain why lawyers and human rights activists continue to be intimidated and imprisoned on trumped up charges if the acrimony is over Are we to believe that Mugabe is a changed man, that he has seen the error of his ways in his old age? Mugabe is a typical Victorian gentleman, the Minister of Finance tells an interviewer. When you meet him, said Tendai Biti, its hard to believe that this is the man the MDC has been fighting for so long, with his beautiful British manners, just like a Victorian gentleman. He deserves a knighthood Biti adds. Commentators are suggesting that Bitis comments were tongue in cheek Well, perhaps, but to me it suggests that the well-known Mugabe charm has once again worked its magic or do I mean witchcraft? Good manners were certainly a pre-requisite of Victorian gentlemen but that did not make them any less ruthless as they marched into Africa and claimed it for themselves, rather like Mugabe has done to Zimbabwe.
Its very hard for ordinary Zimbabweans to understand the MDC leaderships repeated attempts to make Mugabe sound good. They seem to have forgotten why the country is in such a parlous state and who caused all the ruin and decay in the first place. Perhaps they have made a deal with him, could it be that? Get rid of sanctions for me, promise not to prosecute me for crimes against humanity and Ill go quietly into retirement. Could it be that? Witches might fly!
Post published in: Uncategorized Yours in the (continuing) struggle PH.aka Pauline Henson author of Going Home and Countdown, political detective stories set in Zimbabwe and available from Amazon and Lulu.com