To the skeptical and discerning citizens, it is a known fact that in the political realm, that has always been Mugabe’s time-tested modus operandi - turning our roads into abattoirs. Throughout Zimbabwe’s history, road accidents have over the years conveniently eliminated perceived enemies of state and opposition members. The most disturbing pattern is that the so-called accidents have always been accompanied by a carefully orchestrated cover-up plan.
The untimely death of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s wife – Amai Susan Tsvangirai, in another horrific accident this year, which saw the Prime Minister himself cheating death, immediately comes to the fore. The bottom-line is that the accident was never thoroughly probed by independent investigators and the truth was never told. It was a bad precedent for the Unity Government to proceed with business as usual without pinpointing the exact cause of the accident.
The accident is the latest in a series of barefaced events that have amounted to a drastic and carefully orchestrated government-sponsored crackdown on opposition politicians, journalists and civic groups. In effort to seek justice, the first dilemma is that the accident will be reported by state-owned mouthpieces such as The Herald and ZBC. Secondly, the government will investigate itself, a futile exercise where evidence can easily be tampered with. Naturally, it is at the State’s convenience to divert attention from itself.
Now it turns out that John Nyamande unseated Patrick Chinamasa, a very dangerous Zanu PF thug who is a top architect of Zimbabwe’s modern day political warfare aimed at creating political impotence for the opposition by death and destruction. Zanu PF’s desperation to hang on to power by any means clearly puts the lives of many activists and opposition parliamentarians in grave danger. If necessary, MDC must immediately implore SADC’s assistance to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out.
In the absence of an independent inquiry this ‘accident’ will be treated as a murderous assassination, another Mugabe-led conspiracy.
Mugabe’s Self-Inflicted Miserable Quandary.
www.nationalvision.wordpress.com
Talk of civil disobedience, we saw it coming! For the first time in history, Zimbabwe has started to experience up-close glimpses of a mutiny. The recent scenes of rioting and looting soldiers running skirmishes with armed police are a precursor of what is to come given the mounting crises. In spite of having a political career replete with innumerable acts of brutality which successfully subdued dissension and civil liberties, Mugabe is finally seeing his chickens coming home to roost.
Here is a self-made President trapped by his own vices and obstinacies, who ignored the people’s call for him to go when he was defeated in 2002. He was again defeated in 2008 and refused to leave office stating that “a mere X” (on a ballot) would not defeat him. “How can a ballpoint fight with a gun?” Mugabe warned. He was also aided by an equally deluded wife, Grace, who in early June 2008 after they lost the elections, publicly declared that “Morgan Tsvangirai will never step foot in state house”.
Ironically Mugabe is now being haunted by his own men, who brutalised the people of Zimbabwe protecting him against the wishes of the people over the past 28 years. Mugabe’s political convictions to stay in power forever are built on well-founded fear that he faces several criminally prosecutable and impeachable offenses committed during all these years he has been in power.
Like every other suffering Zimbabwean, now these men have come to realise that Mugabe is ’shull of fit’, bent on enriching himself together with his henchmen at the expense of the ordinary man and woman who are paying dearly for Mugabe’s tragic failures. The men and women in uniform now realise that there is absolutely nothing in it for them. We are all victims! Assuming that Gono and Mugabe are not willing to use their vast loot to pay those starving soldiers, one would also naturally assume that the “Look East” friends of Mugabe are ready to bail him out.
Mugabe’s only last chance lies in quickly seizing the opportunity to be a bona fide player in a government of national unity with Morgan Tsvangirai, in spite of the visceral scorn poured on him (Tsvangirai). If anything the MDC now knows that without it, Zimbabwe will eventually become ungovernable, much to the demise of Mugabe and his men. On July 1, 2008, we wrote a foretelling article entitled “GNU – It’s the Economy Stupid. Forget sovereignty rhetoric!” where we stated that “Zimbabwe is inching closer to being ungovernable due to the inextricable economic disaster it has been plunged into.’ (www.nationalvision.wordpress.com)
Zimbabwe is already teetering on the brink of civil disobedience, to the extent that no amount of gerrymandering attempts by Mugabe should be acceptable to the MDC, deservedly so. Mugabe is running out of time and it is incumbent upon him (and his men) to stop politicking and start focusing on solving the spiralling crises before the people run them out of town. Without re-integration into the international community (overwhelmingly with the West), a unique asset that MDC possesses, Zimbabwe will forever be doomed.
In the meantime our hearts continue to bleed for fellow Zimbabweans caught up in the Mugabe-induced hemorrhage of our country on several fronts: cholera epidemic that is worsening, starvation that is threatening half of the population (5.5 million people), an economy that is no more, water crisis, catastrophic collapse of health delivery system and the suffering of millions from the scourge of Aids who cannot be cared for. The soldiers and police must unite with the people to push for the much-needed change!
SADC’S WIDENING CREDIBILITY GAP
Press Statement – National Vision Institute (www.nationalvision.wordpress.com)
Events that took place over the weekend further undermined the credibility of SADC whose image is being severely battered by irreparable damage emanating from the worsening humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. As poverty, hunger and disease escalate with distressing news that 4 million Zimbabweans face starvation, SADC once again chose a path of selfishness and immorality especially knowing fully that Mugabe has nothing to offer to his people except more misery, blood, toil, tears and sweat.
SADC heads of states conveniently forget to take into cognizance the interconnectedness of the region. There is no doubt that problems facing Zimbabwe directly affect their own countries economically, socially and politically. For instance it is inconceivable that the world will let South Africa play host to 2010 World cup against a background of increasing political and social instability overflowing into South Africa from Zimbabwe. Recent xenophobic attacks that left scores of foreigners (mostly Zimbabweans) brutally murdered are a stark reminder of the delicateness of the situation.
While SADC’s failure to act in defence of democracy comes as no surprise given the bloc’s notoriety for dictatorial solidarity, mindlessly supporting Mugabe’s illegitimacy when the crisis is peaking displays complete insensitivity to the plight of the Zimbabwean citizens. In any case Mugabe is their political god-father except Seretse Khama of Botswanaand the late Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia.
Many people had hoped that the advent of Zuma-Motlanthe administration would depart from the failed ‘quiet diplomacy’ of Thabo Mbeki who ironically, brazenly entrenched the dictatorships of Zimbabwe and Sudan. (see article “The Indictment of Thabo Mbeki” www.nationalvision.wordpress.com). Mr Motlanthe is a known ally of Mugabe who as head of the South Africa observer mission, shamelessly validated Zimbabwe’s rigged 2002 elections declaring them as ‘completely free and fair.’
Mr Motlanthe’s impartiality is questionable as he is also on record for denouncing the MDC stating that “ MDC is not a political party” (September 2004, in an interview with O’Malley). He went on to pander to the fears of the usual neo-colonialism diatribe used by Mugabe saying, “If you have a legitimate government and state and you have external powers seeking to dislodge that legitimate government what you are saying to us, the ANC, is that you would do the same tomorrow to us.”
The natural starting point for SADC if it is serious about solving the Zimbabwe crisis is a sober realization that Zimbabwe has a dictatorship whose ostracism is long overdue. Morgan Tsvangirai again showed great leadership in rejecting Mugabe’s self-serving offer with the contempt it deserves because it does not safeguard the interests of the people of Zimbabwe who rejected Mugabe overwhelmingly. The world cannot continue to subcontract incompetent SADC or AU to solve Zimbabwe’s worsening crisis which has dragged on for more than seven years.
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Issued Tuesday, October 14, 2008.
ON MUGABE’S APPOINTMENT OF TWO VICE-PRESIDENTS (Msika & Mujuru)
While Mugabe continues to display his intransigence in violation of the spirit of unity for nation building, there are positives surrounding the precipitous appointments. Msika and Mujuru are some of the few less-combative individuals in the Zanu PF old-guard that represent a voice of moderation. Mujuru is known for her opposition to the use of torture by the Joint Operations Command (JOC) during the bloody elections of 2008 that saw several civilians brutally murdered.
These appointments by Mugabe are obviously a disppointment to those in Zanu PF that brutalised people hoping to be rewarded for their role in torturing civilians by ascending to Vice-Presidency and other top cabinet-level positions. The nation has been spared what might otherwise have been a more vicious, cunning and power-hungry Zanu PF leadership. We should however never lose sight of the fact that these individuals bring no new ideas nor relief to Zimbabwe’s battered economy. Unfortunately the appointments are made out of political considerations and not real issues of serious concern to Zimbabweans such as economic recovery, respect for human rights and restoration of civil liberties.
We call upon Zanu PF and MDC to work as expeditously as possible for the successful resolution of disagreements surrounding the GNU deal. At the same time, MDC must not waive whatsover, for the portfolios contended for, chiefly Home Affairs and Finance. Doing so will equal a betrayal to the people’s hopes and dreams for a freer and liberated society. We already saw how the police continue to harass and intimidate citizens. As recent as yesterday, Zinasu was ruthlessly quashed by the police as students took to parliament pressing for a just educational system at colleges and universities.
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Issued Saturday 11, 2008.
MINISTRIES AS PROPOSED BY NATIONAL VISION INSTITUTE:
An Alternative Sustainable Cabinet to the proposed 31 Ministries, 31 Ministers, and 31 Deputy Ministers, in the interests of cutting spending in line with the restoration of macro-economic stability. There are a lot of redundant ministries (proposed under GNU deal below) which only serve to appease the three political parties constituting the Government of National Unity but posing a serious threat to solving the economic crisis of Zimbabwe.
CUTTING THE PROPOSED CABINET IN HALF TO CUT SPENDING, AVOID DUPLICATION AND INCREASING EFFICIENCY.
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Finance and Economic Development
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Agriculture
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Health
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Defence and Security
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Foreign Affairs
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Interior/Home Affairs
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Education , Sports and Culture
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Industry and Commerce
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Mines
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Labour, Public and Social Services
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Local Government
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Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
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Transport, Energy and Communication
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Environment, Tourism and Natural Resources
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Other (If completely necessary)
Top of the Hierarchy
*President
*Prime Minister
*Deputy Prime Minister
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THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETELY ABOLISHED:-
*Minister of Sports and Recreation (Should fall under Education)
*Ministry of Youth Development (Not necessary)
*Ministry of Gender and Women’s Affairs (not necessary)
*Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises ( Should fall under Industry and Commerce)
*Ministry of Information is not necessary. (Should fall under Transport & Communication. Each Department must have its own spokesperson the same way there is a Presidential Spokesperson)
* State Enterprises and Parastatals (Should fall under Industry and Commerce)
*Ministry of Science and Technology Development (Should fall under Industry and Commerce)
*Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs (Should fall Under Justice and Legal
*Regional Integration and International Cooperation (Should fall under Foreign Affairs)
*Energy and Power Development ( Should fall under Transport and Energy)
*Water Resources Development and Management (Should fall under Agriculture, lands and water development)
*Higher Education and Tertiary Education (Should fall under Education)
*Economic Planning and Investment Development (Should fall under Finance and Economic Planning)
*Information Communication and Technology (Should fall under Industry and Commerce)
*National Housing and Social Amenities (Should fall under Public, Labor and Social Services)
*Sports Arts and Culture (Should Fall under Education and Culture)
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AS PROPOSED under GNU, there will be a total of 31 cabinet positions (as listed below).
The impasse is about the allocation of the Ministries. Mugabe just announced his prefered distribution, which literally leaves MDC with a weak portfolio.
2 Economic Planning and Investment Promotion
3 Energy and Power Development
4 Health and Child Welfare
5 Labour and Social Welfare
6 Water Resources Development and Management
7 Public Service
8 Sport, Arts and Culture
9 State Enterprise and Parastatals
10 Science and Technology Development
11 Information Communication Technology
12 Public Works
13 National Housing and Social Amenities
2 Education
3 Industry and Commerce
2 Home Affairs
3 Foreign Affairs
4 Transport
5 Local Government and Urban Development
6 Mines and Mining Development
7 Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement
8 Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism
9 Higher and Tertiary Education
10 Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development
11 Justice and Legal Affairs
12 Finance
13 Media, Information and Publicity
14 Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development
15 Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment
Septmber 21,2008
Passing a vote of no confidence on Thabo Mbeki is testament to the fact that democracy is still alive and well in South Africa. Mbeki will forever be remembered for trying to sneak in a third term for himself and for his bizarre and regressive views on Aids and HIV, the biggest challenge for South Africa. People forget that Mugabe was Mbeki’s brain. If Mbeki had not chosen to disown the legendary Mandela, his legacy would not have been botched like that. Mbeki’s dishonorable exit is well-deserved. Mugabe would have gone a long time ago if it were not for Mbeki’s protection.
Mbeki will forever stand accused of his complicity in propping up an overwhelmingly unpopular and illegitimate regime in Zimbabwe, which lost democratic elections. In spite of the fact that it was the only hope for Zimbabweans, the unity government that Mbeki helped usher in was self-serving, to give Mugabe an escape route from a plethora of failures ranging from economic mismanagement to human rights violations. We hope that the Zuma administration will help serve the interests of the people of Zimbabwe and not the interests of those in power. In the final analysis it is up to the people of South Africa themselves to stay on the offensive so that they can always get the leadership they deserve.
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NATIONAL VISION INSTITUTE PRESS RELEASE – 09/12/2008
