Civil Society Organisations cautious over new constitution (by Justice Sibanda)

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/news/zimbabwe/65815/csos-cautious-over-new-constitution.html

Civil society organisations are fearful that lack of political will might result in the new constitution failing to usher in a new democratic dispensation. In a combined statement issued by the heads of of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations,Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe,  Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, they implored political leaders to show respect to the new constitution. 

The Civil society regional Advocacy mission comprising of representatives from Zimbabwe Election Support Network, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo Agenda and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Coalition will today urge the African Union (AU) to exert pressure on the Zimbabwe government to implement all the agreed reforms in the Global Political Agreement before the country go into an election.

Police harassment and arrests of civil society activists has worsened as elections get closer. The government needs to stop this police abuse of power and hold those responsible to account.

WE ARE WATCHING!!!  

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

New laws giving security forces powers to intimidate the opposition- Kwanele Khupe

http://zimbabweelection.com/2013/05/21/zanu-pf-militias-spread-fear-of-voting/

ZANU PF is cleverly using the loophole in the new laws by giving the security forces 
unprecedented power to intimidate the opposition and the general public. If the police are abusing
their power we collectively have to stand up for our rights and fight the system.

Kwanele Khupe

New Zimbabwe constitution can usher in new culture of human rights

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/new-zimbabwe-constitution-can-usher-new-culture-human-rights-2013-05-22

Zimbabwe’s new constitution presents a golden opportunity for the country to break away from a culture of impunity for human rights violations, Amnesty International said today. President Robert Mugabe today signed into law a new constitution, following a three-year constitution-making process to replace the Lancaster House constitution adopted at independence in 1980. 


We still have a long way to go before the new constitution is successfully implemented and there is a matter of the biggest hurdle to implementation - Zanu-PF.

Here are a few of the key points of the New Constitution:

- Limits presidents to two five-year terms.

- Strips away presidential immunity from prosecution after leaving office.

- Bolsters the power of parliament, which will consist of 210 elected members and an additional 60 women lawmakers to be picked initially through a system of proportional representation.

- Partially abolishes death penalty for males aged below 21 and over 70 and for all females.

- Sets up a peace and reconciliation commission to take care of post-conflict justice and healing.

- Creates, for the first time, a Constitutional Court that would deal with governance abuse.

- Binds the police and the military to be impartial and forbids them from meddling in electoral issues.

- Reins in presidential influence on the appointment of members of the judiciary.

- Introduces devolution and decentralisation of power to enhance participation in decision making by citizens at local levels and ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources.

- Introduces a national prosecution authority that is de-linked from the attorney general who now becomes government's chief legal advisor.

- Compels a president to consult parliament in the event of military deployment to prevent undercover operations that may be linked to rights abuses.

- Introduces redress for victims of violence and intimidation to seek and get protection.

- Protects people against malicious arrests and prosecution.

- Compels courts to deal with electoral disputes within 14 days.

- Guarantees separation of powers between the executive, legislature and the judiciary.

- Guarantees free, fair and regular elections; and for citizens to freely make political choices.

- States that farmland seized from whites and handed to black farmers under a controversial land reform cannot be legally contested.

- Recognises 16 languages spoken in the country, including sign language.

- Outlaws same sex marriages.

Zimbabwe is now expected to hold general elections later this year to end the coalition government. These elections present a real test for the Zimbabwean Government to prove its commitment to the declaration of rights in the new constitution.

WE ARE WATCHING!!  

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

We are selfish, greedy crooks – ZANU-PF (by Justice Sibanda)

http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/20/we-are-selfish-greedy-crooks-zanu-pf/

  

Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu says corrupt leadership in Zanu PF is letting President Robert Mugabe down and this could affect the party’s electoral performance.

  

Mpofu made the confession last Friday and apologised to the people on behalf of Mugabe and the party, saying there were lots of crooks within Zanu PF and this was part of the reason why the electorate had deserted the party. He mentioned in particular the massive looting of farming inputs and maize donated under Mugabe’s input scheme as evidence of the behaviour of the party’s thieving officials.

Too little too late, not only is Zanu PF corrupt, the world has not forgotten that these are the people that brought us untold violence during the 2008 elections. The ZANU-PF-led government was responsible, at the highest levels, for widespread and systematic abuses that led to the killing of up to 200 people, the beating and torture of 5,000 more, and the displacement of about 36,000 people.

  

WE ARE WATCHING!!!  

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Brilliant analysis by Tawanda Majoni

Zanu (PF) strongholds – nothing but a myth [Zimbabwean] | Zimbabwe Election: Latest News & Voting Information

The Laurent Gbagbo factor has to come into effect – Melusi Sibanda

Speculating on the result of any election, particularly the up and coming one in Zimbabwe is an extremely dangerous game. However, that with that said we need to prepare ourselves for the repercussions and retort

in the aftermath of a ZANU PF defeat.  I only mention this scenario because it is the only one that could be potentially explosive. You see, ZANU PF does not go into any election in a ‘what if we lose?’ state of mind. For them it’s a case of ‘when we win’ even if it is clear that they do not have anything even close to a majority of support within the country. This is the exact attitude Laurent Gbagbo went into the election with in 2011 in Cote d’Ivoire and his defeat led to him making a series of bad decisions and we all know how that ended.

My point being – Led by SADC, the international community need to exhibit and communicate the Gbagbo ‘case study’ to the powers that be in Zimbabwe. A warning has to be issued to the effect that should the losing party should bow out gracefully and use legal procedures if they feel hard done by. SADC has to come out and say ‘EVEN ZANU PF CAN LOSE!’ A promise has to be made to all Zimbabweans that if ZANU PF refuses to accept defeat at the polls life will indeed be immediately made extremely tough for them by entire region and the world community at large. A few examples should be made swiftly beginning with the confiscation of properties and closures of bank accounts, expelling of relatives etc...

Should the security situation deteriorate and the ZANU PF youths begin to mobilise against the civilians, as is bound to happen, then the SADC may have to negotiate directly with the Zimbabwean military over the heads of ZANU PF in order to maintain or restore order within the country. If there is a lack of co-operation by ZANU this time around there may be more muscle power behind the SADC and the international community to discuss another GPA; however this time the winning Party will gain executive power with ZANU PF representatives only being allowed minor privileges in exchange for their good behaviour and general withdrawal from Zimbabwean politics.

Things are definitely getting edgy to say the least as the polls approach, however ZANU PF has to know that

if certain proposals are not accepted then the Laurent Gbagbo factor may have to come into effect! The sheer thought of Bob and Grace emerging from the basement of the Meikles or Sheraton Hotel is one to savour!  It is very unlikely but not impossible, as has been witnessed over the past decade in world politics.

‘We are Watching’

Melusi Sibanda – Information & Publicity Secretary ROHRZim/Bradford Branch

James Duddridge MP: We must do all we can to make sure Zimbabwe's elections are fair elections

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2013/05/from-jamesduddridge.html

I never thought that on this blog there would come a time where I would reference the Conservatives, and reference them in a good light. That I was until I came across this blog by Conservative MP James Duddridge. It is well worth a read and some of the comments to the article are quite funny and some are well informed.

His article which is a pre-election call comes at a time when Zimbabwe is nearing national elections,he mentions the violence that marred the elections in 2008, the recent passing of a new constitution and the outstanding reforms to the security sector. He also argues that the country’s resources are being used to benefit the few rich elite and not the majority poor people in Zimbabwe. The upcoming elections do not just offer the people of Zimbabwe hope, they offer the UK a chance to show it remains very much at the forefront of global foreign policy; with a democratically elected Government in power, Zimbabwe can be a major strategic ally to the west.  It is important we ensure there are free and fair elections so the people of Zimbabwe can decide.

.

WE ARE WATCHING!!!

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

We are not alone in our cmpaign for free & fair elections - Melusi Sibanda

Please be aware that there are many like minded organisations out there fighting for the same same cause as us. See below:

Our mothership - www.rohrzim.org
Zimbabwe Election Support Network - http://zesnblog.blogspot.co.uk/ - @ZESN1
Free & fair Election Zimbabwe - http://zimbabweelection.com - @zimelection
Crisis Coaltion Zimbabwe -www.crisiszimbabwe.org - @crisiscoalition

We are Watching!!

Melusi Sibanda - Information & Publicity Secretary -ROHRZIM/Bradford Branch

As ZANU PF goes into ‘bunker mode’! – Melusi Sibanda

ZANU PF continues to believe that they can continuously redefine and panel beat their own version of democracy. As the certainty of their future as a political institution begins to look even more opaque and quite bleak, so do their reactionary measures and actions begin to take form.

We know what we’re to expect between now and the end of the year – violence, intimidation, false arrests you name it, it’s already begun and there’s more to come. As the fear of losing all ill-gotten wealth and property grips the ZANU PF elite, the worse they’ll become at making decisions. A lot of errors will be made by them in a state of panic – unfortunately for the common man on the ground these decisions may lead to loss of lives. The ZANU PF elite will dig themselves deeper into a grave and continue violate human rights orders while attempting to dig their heels in and get in to ‘bunker mode’.

This will culminate with them stabbing each other in the back and many migrating out of the country to god knows where they are stashing their fortunes. But even this self-induced exile will not last long because as we speak there are organisations involved in collating data on monies received and laundered through corruption and other illegal means. MARK MY WORDS – this money will be recouped and those involved in any illegal activities will be prosecuted. You can run but you can’t hide. The world is changing fast and there are ways and means available to nail all corrupt government officials across the globe. There are universities and other institutions dedicated to this and this only.

What the others in the ZANU PF top brass don’t realise is that Mugabe is an old man, so he can get away with a lot. The likes of the first lady are still very young and there is a lot of time for any respectable and resourceful agency to collate enough data and evidence to prosecute and bring her down with full force. There will be nowhere to run and the fake friends will abandon ship in order to save their own necks – that is the way of the world!

We are Watching

Melusi Sibanda – Information & Publicity Secretary ROHRZim Bradford Branch

Election dates: Mugabe vows to go it alone (by Justice Sibanda)

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-11066-Poll+dates+Mugabe+vows+to+go+it+alone/news.aspx

IN an opportunistic move set to trigger a political storm ahead of crucial general elections, President Robert Mugabe is making back-door manoeuvres through the High Court to secure an order declaring polls be held by or on June 29, as ZANU-PF increasingly sweats over its uncertain political fate.

The only apt comment to this story is “oh no here we go again!!!” and to quote the International Crisis Group (ICG), ” Zimbabwe is not ready for elections and faces the risk of a violent or illegitimate election because it has not reformed all areas that it promised to when the unity government was set up”

WE ARE WATCHING!!!

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

Human Rights for All Post - 2015

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/new-global-development-agenda-must-have-human-rights-its-core-2013-05-10

World leaders must reject an aid-based model of development and instead pursue an approach that puts human rights and justice at its core, 18 non-governmental organizations urged ahead of a High-Level Panel report to the UN on the future of sustainable development.

The post-2015 framework must at the very least respect and reflect pre-existing human rights legal norms, standards and political commitments to which governments have already voluntarily agreed.  If it is going to incentivize progress while also preventing backsliding and violations, human rights principles and standards must go beyond the rhetorical, and have real operational significance this time around. Amongst other things, anchoring the post-2015 agenda in human rights for current and future generations implies that the framework:

1. Upholds all human rights for all. 
2.  Stimulates transparency and genuine participation in decision-making at all levels
3. Integrates meaningful institutions and systems to ensure human rights accountability of all development actors.
4. Ensures that the private sector, at the very least, does no harm.
5.  Eliminates all forms of discrimination and diminishes inequalities, including socioeconomic inequalities must be priorities.
6. Specifically and comprehensively supports women's rights.
7. Enable the currently disadvantaged and commonly discriminated against and excluded groups to be effective agents of their own development.
8. Upholds the legal obligation to fulfil the minimum essential levels of economic, social, and cultural rights, without retrogression, which would imply a focus on “getting to zero” through the provision of social protection floors, universal health coverage, food security, and other floors below which no one anywhere will be allowed to live.
9. Tackles structural drivers of inequality, poverty and ecological devastation at the global level.

A first draft of this statement was prepared by the Securing Human Rights for All work session of the Advancing the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda global civil society conference in Bonn, Germany (March 2013). The statement is being circulated for endorsement by interested organizations. To get involved, please email Niko Lusiani, CESR at nlusiani@cesr.org.

 Signatories so far include:

1. Amnesty International
2. Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND)
3. Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
4. Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)
5. Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University (CWGL)
6. Center of Concern
7. Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR)
8. Equilibres & Populations (EquiPop), France
9. European NGOs for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Population and Development (EuroNGOs)
10. Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
11. International Centre of Comparative Environmental Law, or Centre International de Droit Comparé de l'Environnement (CIDCE), France
12. International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), USA
13. Kepa, Finland
14. National Indigenous Women Federation (NIWF), Nepal
15. Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Justice (RESURJ)
16. Social Watch
17. Southern Africa Human Rights NGO Network (SAHRINGON), Tanzania Chapter
18. Terre des hommes Germany
19. WASH United,  Germany

  

Recent popular uprisings around the world have shown that it is essential that governments acknowledge that both major categories of human rights - civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights - are indivisible and interdependent, the organizations said. It is my sincerest hope that on-going global financial crisis does not lead governments and companies in developed nations to engage with governments of countries with a proven track record of human rights abuses. In these countries people who face poverty and deprivation are subjects of rights, should not be objects of development.

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

An Analysis of the International Crisis Group’s new report exploring various election scenarios for Zimbabwe – Melusi Sibanda

http://allafrica.com/stories/201305100510.html

This report should be taken seriously as it explores some very gloomy scenarios for Zimbabwe and the entire region especially if they remain unprepared for the possible outcomes of the election. The ICG report castigates the international community particularly the recent EU and US actions that request ‘credible and peaceful’ rather than ‘free and fair’ elections from ZANU PF in order to lift targeted sanctions and provide new investments.

Already the fear, violence and intimidation are contradicting ZANU PF’s commitment to peace. And in any case – what constitutes credible? We already know that there is limited funding available to the Zimbabwe Electoral Committee to ensure the integrity of the voters roll. Recently the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission resigned from his post in the ZEC citing the body's lack of independence and government support, and was replaced by another commissioner with close ties to ZANU PF. There’s a shocker!!!

The ZRP and the Defence Forces openly support ZANU PF and we all know that they played a pivotal role in the 2008 violence that secured Mugabe's victory, for which none were held accountable.

SADC’s priority of ‘containment’ still remains vague and the question still remains – Will  SADC take a more aggressive role now by increasing its presence and power in Zimbabwe, as many of the intimidation practices deployed in previous elections are already underway?’ Unsurprisingly we’re all very sceptical!

I personally believe that ZANU PF’s ‘winner take all’ mentality is the biggest threat to peace and stability in the region. As the article explains - ‘Some in ZANU-PF feel threatened by the erosion of economic opportunities that would come with losing power, while others fear prosecution for human rights violations.’ Sh#t is real!!!

A loss for ZANU PF would signify increased violence and that is the exact attitude the SADC should be wagging their finger about.

The report also provides recommendations for SADC and the Zimbabwean GPA government to follow however I am not convinced that ZANU PF or the painfully dozy government of Jacob Zuma would be in any rush to conform to these suggestions.

Zimbabwe is at yet another cross road. The future looks grim but all is not lost yet. With help from all human rights activists, organisations, journalists, SADC, UN, EU we can put pressure on ZANU PF, by drawing a few red lines and saying the following;

-          If the elections are not free and fair and if any violence and intimidation is reported targeted sanctions are back on.

-          We will also begin a huge campaign to set the wheel going for a massive indictment of ZANU PF, ZRP & ZDF officials for human rights violations over the past 3 decades.

The time has come to let them know what’s over the horizon if they do not conform these recommendations. This is the final opportunity for ZANU PF to redeem themselves.

The full report can be seen here- http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/africa/southern-africa/zimbabwe/202-zimbabwe-election-scenarios.pdf.

‘We are Watching’

Melusi Sibanda  - Information & Publicity Secretary

Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe – Bradford Branch

ZANU-PF’s running war against free speech

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/zimbabwe/17248-defiant-journalist-tells-of-police-intimidation-tactics.html

Journalists in Zimbabwe have never had it easy. The Mugabe regime has a history of arresting and detaining reporters it believes are guilty of crimes such as “undermining public confidence in a law enforcement agency”.

Now, with an election looming, the arrests of a former Mail & Guardian journalist and his editor in Harare this week have drawn into sharp focus the climate of insecurity that persists in the country. In particular, the arrests have highlighted the fear surrounding the post-election future of the leading members of ZANU-PF, many of whom have allegations of gross human rights violations, dating back to the country’s bloody 2008 election, hanging over their heads.

Owen Gagare, chief reporter at the Zimbabwe Independent and the Zimbabwe Independent’s Editor Dumisani Muyela were arrested on Tuesday and charged with “publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state”. They were charged under section 31 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Their alleged crime is the publication of a story, which revealed that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change were talking to the country’s security chiefs about various post-election scenarios, in the event that Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF loses the elections

 As if how dare anyone imagine or even plan for a future where Zimbabwe is not ruled by President Mugabe and ZANU-PF, the on-going climate of fear in the country contradicts the commitments to peace made by politicians.  Last week a senior reporter from News Day was also summoned to the police station, and another reporter was also arrested. The police have previously issued threatening statements and have warned journalists not to allow themselves to be “used” by the opposition.

 The Southern African Development Community must define and enforce the necessary minimum conditions for a credible vote, and ensure the country does not rush into elections before there is clarity and consensus on – and implementation of necessary reforms.

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

With the Zimbabwe Security Sector Overwhelmingly Biased towards Zanu PF How are we to expect the Elections to be free and fair - Kwanele Khupe

http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/03/generals-a-threat-to-credible-polls/

Just as expected Zanu PF are reverting to their tried and tested dirty tastics of deploring the security services to instill fear and intimidation towards the elections. What's even more infuriating is that the so called facilitator of the Zimbabwean Crisis, Jacob Zuma and  SADC are failing to act in the simple matter of ensuring that the military stays out of politics as Zimbabwe heads to the polls. 

The corrupt officials are blatant with their bias to Zanu PF as eveidenced by  the Police Commisioner General Augustine Chihuri's  refusal to meet Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and yet SADC does nothing. The world watches as democracy and the credibilty of the incumbent elections fade to nothingness.

'We Are Watching' Campaign - Week 6 Report (by Justice Sibanda)

The Bradford branch of the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHRZim) launched the “we are watching campaign for share with members of our community in Bradford our fears relating to election fraud, violence and intimidation that blighted the last elections in Zimbabwe and our fears that this would be repeated in the 2013 elections. It is our intention to raise awareness and get members of the public to sign a petition requesting for the United Nations to send observers to Zimbabwe to monitor the elections. We have already been out in Bradford City Centre on the 6^th and 20^th of April.

On the 4^th of May Justice Sibanda (Organizing Secretary), Melusi Sibanda (Information & Publicity Secretary) and Peter Jaure (Secretary) took the campaign back to Bradford city center  This time our aim was to request members of the public to sign a petition to their local MPs urging them to petition the Foreign Secretary William Hague directly to apply pressure on the Zimbabwean Government to allow in UN election observers. Unfortunately the Bradford Council has since put in a condition that we can hold our campaign provided we do not approach members of the public but set up our stand and let them approach us. This proved a bit of a challenge to start with as most people seemed more concerned with doing their shopping rather than finding out what we were there for. The situation improved somewhat as afternoon approached and we managed to attract some people and get some signatures. Photos of the event are available below

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

With the Zimbabwe Security Sector Overwhelmingly Biased towards ZANU PF How are we to expect the Elections to be free and fair - Kwanele Khupe

http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/03/generals-a-threat-to-credible-polls/

Just as expected ZANU PF are reverting to their tried and tested dirty tactics of deploring the security services to instill fear and intimidation towards the elections. What's even more infuriating is that the so called facilitator of the Zimbabwean Crisis, Jacob Zuma and  SADC are failing to act in the simple matter of ensuring that the military stays out of politics as Zimbabwe heads to the polls. 

The corrupt officials are blatant with their bias to ZANU PF as evidenced by  the Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri's  refusal to meet Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and yet SADC does nothing. The world watches as democracy and the credibility of the incumbent elections fade to nothingness.

ZANU PF deploys senior soldiers to spearhead election campaign

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/zimbabwe/65412/senior-soldiers-deployed-to-spearhead.html 

  

When we first met to come with the “We are watching Campaign” for the Zimbabwe 2013 elections, this is the kind of thing we had in mind. We would find out instances of ZANU PF’s flagrant disregard of the will of the people and their desire to stay in power by any means they deemed necessary.

  

The Zimbabwean today reported that the Leaders of the Joint Operations Command has started dispatching high ranking soldiers to spearhead ZANU (PF) campaigns across the country. The Joint Operations Command, which brings together the army, police and intelligence chiefs, has played a strong commissariat role for ZANU (PF) in elections, and recently there have been reports of the increased presence of soldiers in many rural communities. There are increase reports of soldiers harassing villagers for not producing national identification documents and supporting the opposition MDC party. It is also reported that the soldiers have been imposing unofficial curfews and are carrying out late-night visits to suspected MDC-T activists’ homes as intimidation intensifies.

The GPA has a statute for the reform of the security sector. This remains undone and recent statements made by senior ZANU PF ministers that the security sector reforms were not part of the GPA. Meaning it is unlikely that these reforms will be done in time for the elections. In a true democracy the army like all other state organs and institutions must perform their duties ethically and professionally, for this to happen they must be trained on subjects like human rights, international humanitarian law and statute law. Members of the armed forces must understand and fully appreciate their roles and duties in a multi-party democratic system and ensure that all state organs and institutions strictly observe the principles of the rule of law and remain non-partisan and impartial.  

  

WE ARE WATCHING!!!  

  

Justice Melusi Sibanda  

Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch 

It appears I'm not alone in my thoughts (see yesterdays blog) - Melusi Sibanda

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-10991-Zambia+VP+comments+rankle+South+Africa/news.aspx

I dare say, it's time for the South African government to pull their fingers out...when it come to Zimbabwe or there will be more pain and bloodshed.

Well said Mr Vice-President Guy Scott...“He's (Zuma) very like De Klerk. He tells us: 'you just leave Zimbabwe to me.' 

Well then do something about it Bra Jakes!!! Time is of essence....

Melusi Sibanda - Information & Publicity Secretary
Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe - Bradford Branch

Unless the ANC ‘styles up’ the Zimbabwe election is headed nowhere, real fast! – Melusi Sibanda

http://allafrica.com/stories/201305020132.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sometimes the ANC government really puzzles me – perhaps the understatement of the year. They sing praises and provide full vocal political support to ZANU PF which is one part of a Global Political Agreement in a country so volatile that s*#t can hit the fan anytime 'His (so called) Exellency RGM' sneezes. 

When it’s time for their ‘nationalist’ partners ZANU PF to reciprocate they are nowhere to be seen. In actual fact, they literally snub them, now here’s the funny part – the ANC are actually surprised and embarrassed by this behaviour.

After standing by ZANU PF over the years the South African government should be pulling them by the naughty ear to the negotiation table to ensure that the mediation process for Zimbabwe’s forthcoming transition is ‘powered through’ and implemented. THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE!!

The time has come for the South African government and the entire SADC region to toughen up against ZANU PF after all this is the institution that has sweepingly destabilised the entire region over the past decade or so through its stubbornness and callous nature. Dare we imagine how far the SADC region would have come by now if ZANU PF where reasonable? Maybe it’s time for the ANC and SADC to knock this ‘reason’ into their heads.

In the words of Mos Def ‘...the hard headed always gotta feel it to believe it!!’

Melusi Sibanda Publicity & Information Secretary

Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe – Bradford Branch

Can a systematically corrupt regime be ready to implement any of these changes prior to elections - Kwanele Khupe

http://zimassoc.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/the-electoral-system-what-needs-to-be-done-prior-to-elections-in-zimbabwe.pdf

I came across this interesting article written by Professor Jørgen Elklit of the Department of Political Science and Government at the Aarhus University in Denmark. It makes for an interesting read. He lays out what needs to be done in order for the looming elections to be considered free and fair. The question I ask is will the inept strong headed, stubborn and corrupt ZANU PF be willing to take this unbiased invaluable advice. Time will tell...

Kwanele Khupe