Letters

His threats of violence and dire consequences for opposition members likely to participate in constitutional-making process are to be taken seriously. There also exists a potential for such threats, and implementation thereof, during the run-up to elections planned for 2011.

Analysis of such threats would require a background analysis of Jabulani Sibanda. He is a former ZIPRA Combatant, and was once a driver to the late Joshua Nkomo. He had obviously suffered at the hands of Zanu (PF) during Gukurahundi. Direct exposure to Sibanda could be reasonably assumed due to his background as a former ZIPRA combatant, and his proximity that time to late leader for ZAPU. Potential demise of his close and distant relatives could have potentially exposed him to indirect exposure and suffering during the Gukurahundi purge.

Against that background, it is important to analyse his threats against the opposition supporters, suspiciously in the non-Matabele provinces and districts. Possibilities reign very high that Sibanda is targeting non-Ndebeles to avenge Gukurahundi massacres. It is, in fact, easy for him to hide behind Zanu (PF) and opposition politics, yet he is waging a bitter war of revenge. Sibanda could be possibly plotting genocide against non-Ndebeles.

We have to watch out. The worst is anticipated to happen if steps and measures are not taken to curtail and foil Sibanda. G.Z. NYANDORO, by email

New beginnings

EDITOR – Zimbabweans are looking forward to the re-establishment of once a beautiful country, a former bread basket for its people and other nations. This will make it a country where every Zimbabwean will call home. Restoration of the rule of law will create a state of order in which events will conform to the law and that will be the cornerstone for democracy, protection, justice, freedom and peace.

Ours will be a country where the government will have an obligation to protect individuals and groups of people against abuse and everyone will feel safe. Economic growth which will create employment opportunities, resulting in a low cost of living and a raised standard of living for the majority who are suffering now. This will naturally increase life expectancy for the ordinary person. Restoration of the major ministries i.e. health and education will ensure that a right to education and health will be met in both urban and rural areas.

Ours will be a country with the right to privacy, no more invasions, abductions, beatings, torture, raping, threats and killings. A country where human rights are perceived entitlements and not as privileges which can be taken away by those in power. This will be a nation where human rights are protected by law and a guarantee for all. That will be the birth of a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning. ELIZABETH NDEWERE, by e-mail

Is it about guns?

EDITOR – “Is it about those who carried the guns? What of those who were not yet born? Those of us who were even too young to go and fetch firewood? What is a patriot? What is patriotism? Who are the enemies of the state?” Do we have to go back into the bush and fight the “enemy?” Whose enemy? Which enemy? Once in power, die in power. I believe that is the principle the liberation parties have chosen to live by. They devise all forms of mechanisms to retain the realms of power even if defeated in democratic elections.

Indeed, John Makumbe was right to say that “the DNA of these former liberation political parties is such that they are allergic to handing over power to any other parties even if they get defeated in democratic elections”.

One cannot help but wonder. Is this clinging to power a reflection of their undying love for our once beautiful country or there is more to it than what just what meets the eye? I believe this is clearly a symptom of insatiable material avarice. They claim that they fought for democracy, but surprisingly any democratic move which threatens their being in power is thwarted. Democracy is only democracy if it suits “their” definition.

They talk of “Public Order and Security Act.” Whose security? Whose order? What of “Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.” Whose access? What information? What protection? Whose privacy?

It is really amazing to see people continuously and violently grab farms whilst plenty lie idle and unproductive, what really is the logic behind it? Only someone with a severe mental impairment can be seen indulging, not only in this barbaric, but purely nefarious act.

Zimbabwe has, undoubtedly, the capacity and ability to reclaim its status as the bread-basket of southern Africa if only a proper framework is laid for a sound political and economic platform… a platform in which the interests of the nation determine the route to be taken and not those of a handful obsessed with self- aggrandizement.

So much has happened in the past decade. Zimbabweans, diligent and perseverant as they are, battle on. Hunger, harassment of all forms, physical, emotional and psychological was or still is the order of the day. Those whose duty is to protect them are the ones unleashing this reign of terror.

Brother against brother, father against son, sister against sister. It’s time that my fellow Zimbabweans wake up and smell the coffee. These power hungry mongers do not have your welfare at heart; they are simply using you to further their political ambitions. You are merely pawns to be used, abused and later refused.

Why allow yourself to be used by a fellow human being? Each individual has the ability to bring about change. A country is built by a nation. A nation is a product of individuals. It all boils to an individual. The duty of the security forces is to offer protection to the nation, to foster and safeguard the rule of law. Why then allow yourselves to be abused by a few power hungry and selfish individuals?

We do have the power to transform Zimbabwe into what we want it to be. The power is indeed in our hands. YES WE CAN and the time is now, starting with the drafting of a peoples driven constitution. Remember you do not need to be a war veteran to govern Zimbabwe. We are all liberators in our own ways. Change, believe you me, is inevitable and

very imminent in Zim. – BONIFACE MANJEYA, Cape Town

A letter to Zanu (PF)

EDITOR – Responding to Zanu (PF) foolishness, we are not kids that you can tell to go and have bath after bath and “I will buy you a lollipop”. If a kid asks you for a piece of bread you give it a stone. That’s what you do: lie, lie, lie. We are aware of those dirty games you that you play. You are more than devils. We were so angry to hear from you that Chris (Mandizvidza) was killed by thieves.

For your information, we know how Chris died. You cannot fool us. There are witnesses that night. When the time is ready we can tell; your youth doing their master’s job harassing innocent people street by street. Some were injured as I talk now. Can you tell me the harassing on that night was thieves again? On COPAC day, that was Sunday, it was thieves again, so if they are thieves, they are your thieves. We know them. We are living in fear of your thieves. Our parents, our grandpa and grandma are now having heart problems. Some are dying with the heart problem because of your thieves. Please ZANU, stop fooling us, because we know everything.

Do whatever you do, but the truth shall come out one of these days. You can protect yourselves from the evil that you do asi muchaona moto – inguva chete. The truth will prevail. You can hide or protect yourselves from us, but you will never escape the eyes and ears of God. He is watching you. ANON., by e-mail