Zuma condemns violence

Although SADC has declined to make an official public statement, the message from Lindiwe Zulu, Zuma’s spokesman was unequivocal and came as a blow to Mugabe and Zanu (PF), who have long presumed on Zumas unequivocal support.

Zuma expressed deep concern about the widespread violence, the failure to uphold the rule of law and political intimidation in the run-up to elections expected later this year.

A SADC Troika has been called to consider calls by the MDC to send observers at least six months before the poll. Zumas unusually strident criticism of was welcomed by the MDC.

The Zanu (PF) Youth League and the MDC Youth Assembly have convened a meeting in Harare where they pledged to stop the jambanja. A similar meeting of Harare provincial chairmen of the MDC and Harare was also held, but spectacularly failed to stop the violence.

Meanwhile, Zanu (PF) has already launched its election manifesto, promising “revolutionary change”.

In 42 pages of hysterical prose, Zanu (PF) claims credit for ending hyperinflation and slams so-called sanctions and the “unacceptable face of imperialism and neocolonialism”, promising to “reintroduce price controls on basic foodstuffs and commodities”.

The MDC is blamed for all violence and dismissed as “cowards trying their luck, plagiarists, sell-outs, shameless opportunists and merchants of confusion”. The manifesto adds that more than 12 million acres of land have already been taken from white farmers without compensation and given to “our people”.

The party says it is now on a drive for “economic empowerment” what the party calls “total empowerment.” The vote must be held before December, but mid-August is seen as Mugabe’s preferred choice.

At a rally in Beitbridge last weekend, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai said the GNU must implement reforms and complete the new constitution before elections can be held.