Zimbabwe’s Mugabe Elections, A Waste Of Time and Public Funds
Freeafrica (March 20, 2005)

Photo: AP

What is the point of taking part in an election process whose results are already predetermined? An election whose electorate is largely so terrified and threatened with death and torture if an opposition to the current illegitimate rule wins. What really is the point? Over time we have had different opinions and decisions by both the different opposition parties and the electorate themselves regarding either the need to participate or to not participate in the flawed process.

One of the biggest concerns that have sparked those that follow closely the Zimbabwean political scenes, is the mere fact that after the previous parliamentary and presidential elections were all nullified both by Zimbabwe’s independent observers as candidates and also as voters; and the international community with observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth Heads of States, and other bodies and African States; Zimbabweans are still robbed into thinking that things are as they should be for them.

Well, it may be time for us ordinary Zimbabweans, inside and abroad to now rise up to the occasion and bluntly refuse to be made fools. Although not all African states have taken to bowing for Mugabe’s terrorist-like regime, it is still disheartening to know and witness major scene players like South Africa’s government with the controversial and senseless Mbeki, really go out of their way to campaign and provide for the comfort of terrorist Robert Mugabe and his gang. Mbeki seems to think that because Mugabe’s Zanu P.F is said to have brought independence to Zimbabwe ( a fact that leaves a lot to be desired), then Mugabe has every right to determine the people’s fate, whatever the circumstances. Of late we read and hear of South Africa’s support and praise for Mugabe’s brutality against the people of Zimbabwe. Better at least is the fact that within South Africa there still is some sane leaders outside Mbeki’s African National Congress (ANC) party; i.e. COSATU has lately revealed their independent stance against Mugabe and Zanu P.F’s brutality.

Given all the odds and evidence, one wonders again about the relevance of an election in present day Zimbabwe. But then, what do Zimbabweans have to say about it? The criminal institution that innocent civilians in Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans abroad are trying so hard to peacefully bring down is largely funded and supported by Africa’s major power, South Africa. Zimbabweans have no chance. Mugabe and his criminal gang have every chance.

Stars perform in benefit concert
BBC News (March 20, 2005)

Photo: AFP, over 20 000 attended the concert.

Stars such as Will Smith, Annie Lennox and Queen have taken part in Nelson Mandela's second Aids benefit concert in South Africa.

Musicians Katie Melua, Paul Rodgers and India Arie joined South African artists at Saturday's event, hosted by actor and rapper Smith.


It followed 2003's concert, watched by an estimated two billion people.

This year's theme was Women and Aids, with all proceeds going to the Nelson Mandela Foundation to combat HIV.

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Police shield Mugabe from verbal attacks
Zim Online (SA) (March 19, 2005)

"Anyone found violating this law, will be brought to book"
Mutare - Police in Manicaland province have ordered opposition election candidates in the province not to denounce President Robert Mugabe during campaigning or they will be arrested. Senior assistant police commissioner Ronald Muderedzwa, in charge of the law enforcement agency in Manicaland, told seven Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party candidates at a meeting here in Mutare, the provincial administrative centre, that they will be arrested for denouncing Mugabe. The meeting, held earlier this week at Mutare’s Queens Hall as Mugabe began a blitz for votes in the province, was also attended by two ruling Zanu PF party candidates Shadreck Beta and Samuel Undenge and Daniel Tuso of the smaller Zanu Ndonga opposition party. "Let me warn political parties that it is illegal to verbally attack the person of the President at your rallies . . . anyone found violating this law, will be brought to book," Muderedzwa is said to have told the candidates. But MDC spokesman Paul Themba-Nyathi accused the police of behaving like the “Zanu PF youth league” for attempting to bar attacks against or criticism of Mugabe. Themba-Nyathi said it was impossible for Mugabe to escape criticism when he was leader of a political party contesting the election.

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More than 3 million Zimbabwean expatriates have been barred from voting in the imminent parliamentary elections by a supreme court ruling that will deprive the opposition of a large chunk of its support. The court gave no clear reasons for its decision to exclude 3.4 million citizens - more than 20% of the population - from the March 31 ballot, saying only that a legal appeal for inclusion "has no merit and should be dismissed". The chief justice, Godfrey Chidyausiku, issued the ruling on Thursday in response to an application by seven Zimbabweans based in Britain challenging laws barring them from voting. Mr Chidyausiku is a former cabinet minister in President Robert Mugabe's government and is known for his partisan rulings.

Mr Mugabe's government maintains that the law only allows Zimbabweans serving in the army or on diplomatic postings to cast postal votes. The same rule was in force in previous elections. Opposition lawyers have charged that during past elections, soldiers on missions abroad were ordered to mark multiple ballots for the ruling party.
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Zimbabwe election hurdles limit opposition – Mugabe's turmoil: Voter's list needed, but almost impossible to get
National Post, Canada (February 18, 2005)

HARARE - First, find 10 voters whose names appear on a non-existent electoral roll. Then hand over twice your monthly salary to an official whose identity remains a mystery.

Those are the first hurdles that Zimbabwe's opposition candidates must complete by today if they wish to contest next month's parliamentary election.

The government of Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean President, has thrown the electoral machinery into turmoil in what critics say is a deliberate attempt to prevent the opposition Movement for Democratic Change from fielding candidates in all 120 constituencies.

The last presidential election in 2002 was denounced by Commonwealth observers as a violation of every democratic standard.
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20 years in jail for making 'abusive, indecent or obscene statement' about Mugabe
Newzimbabwe.com (updates from: February 6, 2005)

A kind of picture that could land one in jail in Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE is poised to introduce draconian laws to silence its critics, both at home and abroad, who face 20 years in jail if they "publish or communicate a falsehood".
Opposition members have condemned the measures as "the most fascist legislation this country has known". The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Bill, went through its second parliamentary reading last week despite a multi-party report from the legal committee which described parts of it as "unconstitutional".

One clause in the new bill makes it an offence for any citizen, either in Zimbabwe or outside the country to make an "abusive, indecent or obscene statement" about President Robert Mugabe, "even if it is a true statement", according to shadow legal affairs minister David Coltart.

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A representative of the trust, Selvan Chetty told Daily News Online that since the launch of the report two months ago, several Africa embassies in South Africa had welcomed and accepted it saying they would use it to lobby their governments to help resolve the crisis.

"Although the South African government has dismissed the report, we are pleased that several African countries such as Nigeria and Kenya have acknowledged it and promised to take the matter to their presidents," said Chetty.

He said the purpose of the report and video was to highlight the plight and suffering of the Zimbabwean refugees and so far, the response from the region was positive.
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Econet Zimbabwe raises $250m for tsunami victims
Zim Observer News Network (January 22, 2005)

ECONET chief executive officer Douglas Mboweni yesterday handed over $250 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) raised from contributions by the company’s cellular phone subscribers to help Tsunami disaster survivors.Mboweni said his company had been touched by the consequences of the disaster.

“As part of the fundraising, a unique scheme was initiated where subscribers sent an SMS to a special number created for the fund raising effort. There was a phenomenal response to our plea, which shows that ordinary Zimbabweans have been touched by the plight caused by this disaster,” says Mboweni.

In addition, he said, part of the funding had come from other well-wishers around the country.
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A man of two faces
Economist.com (January 20, 2005)

AFP photo of Mr Mbeki and his army

Africa's recovery largely depends on South Africa's president, Thabo Mbeki. But his influence abroad may be undermined by his intolerance at home.

HE IS no “big man”, but Thabo Mbeki is undoubtedly Africa's most powerful politician. Earnest, academic and remote, he lacks the charisma of his predecessor, Nelson Mandela. Yet, under him, the African National Congress (ANC) scooped a record 70% in last April's election, and his poll ratings are still high. He has another four years in office, presiding over Africa's richest and best-organised country.

If donors increase their help, however, who will ensure that African countries respond? Only Mr Mbeki (who himself is still unknown to many Africans) stands much chance of influencing other leaders on the continent. And yet he has extremely worryingly autocratic and reactionary instincts, which are clearly on display in the way he runs his own country. If they are a clue to his future leadership, then the hugely ambitious plans of the developed world can probably be consigned to the dustbin brimful with previous ideas to “Save Africa”.

Abroad, Mr Mbeki is willing to use his weight to knock heads together in the name of peace. It is often a losing game, but at least he tries. So far in 2005 he has been to Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire for peace parleys and truce-signings. Last year he made 22 trips inside Africa. If the continent is becoming less bloody, it is sometimes nothing to do with him (he played no part in the recent ending of conflicts in Angola, Senegal or Sierra Leone).
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Zimbabwe rejects US tyranny slur
BBC News (January 20, 2005)

The Zimbabwe government has said it is not bothered after the United States named it as one of the world's six "outposts of tyranny".

"When comments like that come from fascists, we are not really worried," Anti-corruption Minister Didymus Mutasa told the BBC.

He also said that the US would be in trouble if it tried to invade Zimbabwe. The US comments were made by Condoleezza Rice, President George W Bush's nominee as secretary of state.

He also said that the US would be in trouble if it tried to invade Zimbabwe. The US comments were made by Condoleezza Rice, President George W Bush's nominee as secretary of state.

"The Iraqis did not treat them at all well. Let them come to Zimbabwe and they will face it," Mr Mutasa told the BBC's Network Africa programme.

Ms Rice said the US would help bring "freedom" to Zimbabwe, along with Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma and Belarus.

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