Mugabe Calls Zimbabwe Elections for June-Official
Reuters May 15 2000 3:34PM ET
HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, under pressure to halt political violence, called parliamentary elections Monday for June 24 and 25, an official at the government printing works said.
The official told Reuters that the dates were set in a government gazette coming off the press Monday evening.
``Now therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President, I do by this proclamation ... fix the 24th/25th days of June as polling days in the general election,'' read a proclamation signed by Mugabe, who does not face a presidential election until 2002.
The run-up to the parliamentary vote has been marred by the murder of at least 20 opposition party supporters and white farmers. Liberation war veterans have invaded hundreds of white-owned commercial farms since February, and foreign observers have held out little hope of a free and fair vote.
Mugabe's proclamation came after a Cabinet meeting.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon briefed Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge on international concerns about escalating violence ahead of the elections, but Mugabe declined to meet him as scheduled.
An official said Mugabe would meet McKinnon Tuesday.
McKinnon and European Union Africa specialist Roger Moore arrived separately to convey concerns to Mugabe over his handling of a land grab crisis.
``We went through all the issues raised by the ministers of CEMAG (Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group),'' McKinnon told reporters. ``We raised all the other concerns of Commonwealth leaders.''
The Commonwealth group issued a strong statement in London earlier this month condemning lawlessness and political intimidation in the former Rhodesia.
McKinnon said he would express the 54-nation Commonwealth's concern about events in Zimbabwe when he met Mugabe, but added that he was not carrying ``a big stick.''
``I would like our talks to look to the future. In particular, I expect that the forthcoming election will be at the center of our discussions and I hope that our discussions will help toward creating an environment conducive to a free and fair electoral process,'' he told reporters.
EU TO SET UP ELECTION MONITORING
The EU delegation arrived to set up an election-monitoring operation.
``There is enormous concern about what is happening in Zimbabwe around the world. The economy is in crisis, and that does not make anyone happy,'' Moore told reporters.
``Everyone that has come out here has come to the conclusion that they (elections) will not be free and fair.
``Things are not going on very well here, and it is a matter of concern. Things can't go on like this, it is not sustainable,'' Moore said.
Zimbabwe's economy has fallen deeper into crisis since the war veterans began to reclaim white-owned farmland they say was stolen under British colonial rule in then Rhodesia.
Inflation has soared beyond 50 percent, unemployment is rising and foreign exchange reserves have dropped to the equivalent of only one or two days' imports, leading to a severe fuel shortage.
Donor countries have suspended most foreign aid, charging that Mugabe is intimidating opposition parties and making it impossible to stage free and fair parliamentary elections by the constitutional deadline of August.
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said Monday it was probing a newspaper report that two of its members had been killed last week and that 15 had been abducted and were missing.
The murder of two MDC members went unreported for more than a week recently, apparently because local police were reluctant to report the incident to headquarters.
A white Zimbabwean farmer died Sunday, three days after being shot in an apparent robbery while his farm was occupied by pro-government militants.
Letter from Chaz Maviyane-Davies
13th May 2000,
Dear Friends,
Man has all the wisdom of his forebears put together, and just look at what a lunkhead he is!
A war always proceeds as if humanity had never hit upon the notion of justice
"Some sentences release their poison only after years"
-Elias Canetti 1942
When trying to grasp the core of the crisis here, the one thing you must let go off for a while, is the land question as this is the mask hiding the most sinister and cynical manipulation of people here and observers there. Make no mistake the land issue is very important, economically, spiritually and for our integrity, if it were not, it would not have been dragged into the government's arsenal to re-ignite its waning support and so providing it with the umbrella for the atrocities that abound.
It appears that president Mugabe alone stands for land reform and anybody who opposes him and his government, is also opposed to land reform. He waves his fist at them, insults them, and accuses them of running Zimbabwe down to the ground. Land reform is his monopoly, his domain, his cliché that snares and exploits any unwary leader, organisation or periodical who support its fundamentals, as we all do, into a fateful alliance with a propaganda that endorses a policy of disrespect for law and order.
Where is this enemy that he needs to smash out of existence? This invisible mass of people lumped together with the British for good measure, to pull at the anti-colonial heart strings and stir the emotions. Can he name one Zimbabwean by name, black, white or green for that matter, who is openly opposed to land reform.
Because you think it is short-sighted, destructive and illegal for so called war veterans to invade farms, violently attack the owners and their families, burn machinery, tractors and barns, uprooting the eco-system, halt the production of food and valuable foreign currency generating exports, killing and maiming the work force and evicting them to be paraded and humiliated in "re-education" camps, then you oppose land reform??
Because you question what happened to the billions of misappropriated dollars already invested into land redistribution, then you oppose land reform??
Because you want all the responsible parties to sit around a table and transparently and equitably try to resolve the impasse on land, then you are opposed to land reform??
Because you do not support racism and discrimination of any sort, then you are opposed to land reform??
Because you question our involvement in the DRC war, which has nothing to do with us and is draining our human and financial resources, which are so badly needed here, then you are opposed to land reform??
Because you want 'free and fair' elections, then you are opposed to land reform??
Alas this is political football. By encouraging the land invasions and supporting them at all costs, ignites ignored disaffection on land rights, ensuring the ball is now firmly at his feet and with it, the right to claim the moral high ground of the majority, so that he alone, can be seen as the saviour from that eternal pariah.
Lest we forget whose government lacked the political will to do anything about this disaffection (except for enriching themselves) over the last 20 years, always only holding out land as a seductive carrot to use, come election time. This time, because people are run-down and tired of unkept promises, the writing is on the wall for them, so they created a lethal carrot, marinated with bitterness and vengeance, and an unsavoury taste for those who democratically rejected them at the recent referendum conceived to consolidate our leaderıs power.
Now, a violent campaign rips through the country under the guise of land reformı where already too many people have been killed and thousands injured and violated. A more apt term would be human reformı. Its authors believe that by terrorizing and intimidating a nation, the fear will reformı their dire need for change, into blind allegiance of their tormentors. It wonıt work, at least, not forever, that definitive moment they so dread, will come when meaningful and legitimate reformation will take place.
Tell me what the land has to do with the war veterans/zanu supporters latest scourge of brutal attacks/rapes of school teachers and their families, sometimes in front of their students. As I write this, there is fresh news of 16 school teachers that have been abducted in the Mudzi area. God knows what will become of them and more importantly who next. Its all out of control as all these isolated people are so vulnerable, with no one to turn to, as their demise appears to be rubber stamped by the state. These are the same teachers who probably educated many of their persecutors and their children, and whose only crime is that they are perceived as people who can think for themselves and by that, could influence others to do likewise.
For a moment lets pull back the veneer of the spin put on land reform and look behind it for some real understanding of where its all coming from and here we are saved the expense of reading between the lines:
"We do not want another war. If you want peace you should support me and the ruling party. If you want trouble, then vote for another party" -Josaya Hungwe -Governor of Masvingo province
"If the opposition win the elections, we will go to war" -Chengerai Hunzwi -Leader of the War Veterans Association
"We did not win the power in this country by elections but by armed struggle.
And we are also going to win these elections by armed struggle" -Chen Chimutengwende -Minister of Information
"We have degrees in violence" -Robert Mugabe -President of Zimbabwe
Votes, immortality and everlasting power are the reasons to create an anarchy that today holds democracy hostage.
Land is an issue but donıt be confused by the smoke and mirrors when you support a just cause, that is used unjustly to taint the landscape with blood.
It will come back to haunt you.
The writer/journalist Fergal Keane, recollects the phrase spiritual damage used by another journalist while covering the Rwandan genocide and stated that if we ignore evil we become authors of a guilty silence.
What is being allowed to happen here is in danger of not only destroying any remnants of democratic freedom we have been painstakingly building, but violates almost every right of the human family, ultimately eroding our dignity and almost ensures a future of misery and bankruptcy. Look around us.
You cannot 'reform' people by bludgeoning them into submission as this will only strengthen their resolve. Respect, tolerance, truth, accountability, peace and the value of human life are the weapons of the wise and the true legacy for civilisation.
The University of violence only leaves us with scars that dehumanize and debase mankind... -spiritual damage.
Chaz
Petition to the UN to Intervene in Zimbabwe
"This is not a begging letter and I am not asking for money what this is a petition to the United Nations to mediate the elections in Zimbabwe, PLEASE Help it will only take a minute or two to sign and if you would email it to as many people as possible.
The site was officially started on Tuesday the 25/04/00 and has already grown to approx 970 signatures from around the world and every signature counts.
Please click on the link: http://savezim.8k.com
You can check the progress of the site and all signatures and comments coming in at : http://savezim.8k.com/fsguestbook.html
Thanking you for your help in advance."
Commonwealth Chief Arrives in Zimbabwe for Talks with Mugabe
HARARE (May 15) XINHUA - Commonwealth Secretary-General Don Mckinnon arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday for talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe which will centre on the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the country.
Mckinnon told reporters soon after his arrival that he expected to have fruitful talks which will lay the ground work for the elections.
"I am very pleased to be in Zimbabwe to have these discussions with President Mugabe. I hope they will help in creating an environment conducive to orderly free and fair election," he said.
He said he will convey the Commonwealth concerns about the farm occupations in Zimbabwe but he dismissed views about sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Mckinnon, who was accompanied by an advance Commonwealth observer group, was greeted at Harare International Airport by Zimbabwean Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Machiwenyika Mapuranga and Ministerial Director Ngoni Chideya.
Former Nigerian head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar was appointed by Mckinnon on Friday to lead a team of observers for Zimbabwean elections.
South AFRICA'S Ruling Party Calls for Fair Elections in Zimbabwe
JOHANNESBURG (May 15) XINHUA - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Monday called for the creation of a climate for a free and fair parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe later this year.
Spokesman for the ANC Nat Serache said here that the party had sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to help the governing party and opposition achieve this goal.
He said ANC Secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe at the head of the delegation, met the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) separately in Harare at the weekend.
Serache said Motlanthe "expressed the ANC's concerns over the situation in Zimbabwe and appealed to the two parties to ensure there will be free and fair elections," referring to escalating political violence linked to the invasion of white-owned farms by liberation war veterans and to upcoming parliamentary elections.
Motlanthe also discussed the land crisis in Zimbabwe with the two parties, and expressed the necessity for the 1998 agreement to be implemented, the spokesman said.
Under the deal, white farmers in Zimbabwe would transfer 5 million hectares of land to landless black families in a land reform to be funded by foreign donors, who, however, have demanded that the program be " consensual, transparent, economically sustainable and orderly" and should " particularly be focused on poverty alleviation."
Since February this year, around 1,200 white-owned farms have been invaded by liberation war veterans, sparking a spiral of violence.
General elections are due in Zimbabwe by August 11, but exact date has not yet been set.
New Killings Feared in Zimbabwe Crisis
HARARE, May 15 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's main opposition party said on Monday it was probing a newspaper report that two of its members had been killed last week and that 15 others had been abducted and were still missing.
The spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said it could not yet confirm the report in a local newspaper that the two had died in a clash with pro-government forces mounting a pre-election campaign of violence, or that the 15 others had been abducted from Chimbudzi village in the southern Mwenezi district.
Violence against opponents of President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF is expected to be a key issue for Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon who arrived in Hrare on Monday for talks with Mugabe.
McKinnon will also convey Commonwealth concerns about prospects for free and fair parliamentary elections.
A white Zimbabwean farmer died on Sunday after being shot in an apparent robbery while his farm was occupied by pro-government militants.
John Weeks was the fourth white farmer to die violently since self-styled veterans of the 1970s liberation war in the former Rhodesia began three months ago to seize hundreds of white farms on land they say was taken from them under British colonial rule.
The farming community held a memorial service on Saturday for white farmer Alan Dunn, a neighbour of Weeks, who was beaten to death a week ago.
At least 15 black members and supporters of the MDC and a policeman have also been killed and hundreds of black farm workers beaten or raped in a campaign of terror ahead of parliamentary elections due by August.
Farm security sources said on Monday seven groups of young ZANU-PF supporters set up roadblocks on the road to Kariba on Sunday, searching cars and intimidating drivers.
McKinnon, secretary-general of the 54-nation grouping of mostly former British colonies, was expected to press Mugabe to end the farm invasions and the bloody campaign against opposition supporters.
"We are sure the secretary-general will seek to get a first-hand briefing on what is going on, and I think it is obvious he will give his own views on how the situation is being viewed by the outside world," a senior official in the Mugabe government told Reuters.
A committee of Commonwealth ministers on May 2 condemned Mugabe's handling of the land crisis and called for an end to violence, killings and the illegal occupation of farms.
In a statement released ahead of his visit, McKinnon said he hoped the talks with Mugabe would "help towards creating an environment conducive to orderly, free and fair elections."
The MDC has said free and fair elections are impossible unless there is an end to the violence. The MDC has catalogued more than 5,000 incidents of political violence, which it blames on ZANU-PF, since February.
The Commonwealth has appointed former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar to head an observer mission to oversee the elections.
McKinnon's effort comes amid fresh reports of farm invasions and intimidation of farmers and workers despite an order by Mugabe on Friday that the violence should stop.
BLACKS OCCUPY IAN SMITH'S RANCH
The last white leader of the country then called Rhodesia, Ian Smith, said on Sunday his cattle ranch had been occupied by landless blacks, but he did not believe they were veterans of the war that ended his rule in 1980.
Smith said the farm about 200 km (125 miles) southwest of Harare was occupied on Saturday afternoon.
"I gather there are just a few chaps from the village, who haven't got a job and I think somebody said to them: 'Well, if everybody is going to stake out a piece of land, why don't you do the same?'
"If there is one person who is well known in that part of the world, it's a bloke called Ian Smith," he said.
Smith said he did not think it was revenge for his resistance to the black takeover of power 20 years ago, adding: "I've got a peaceful farm...I've got more black friends in this country now than Mugabe."
Smith, prime minister from 1964 to 1979, unilaterally declared independence from British rule for Rhodesia, to resist British moves to lead the colony towards independence under a government of the black majority. He once vowed that whites would rule for 1,000 years.
Farmers in the Matabeleland district that includes Shurugwi, where Smith farms, told Reuters many of them had moved to nearby towns after receiving threats of occupation and violence.
Government Blind to Dissenting Views
Johannesburg (The Sowetan, May 15, 2000) - The anarchy and bloody chaos in Zimbabwe are very sad events indeed! However, it serves to expose the myopic arrogance of power, especially when viewed in the light of the global village we inhabit.
Side by side with the lust for power rearing its ugly head in Zimbabwe is our Government's opportunism, nay doublespeak, betraying incipient traces of Mugabe-like insensitivity and deafness to any sound proposal not emanating from within their own ranks and kraal.
The childish bully boy behaviour of the Zimbabwean despot - intolerant of any dissenting views - exposes the flimsy and deceptive rhetoric of "liberators cum-upholders of human rights", champions of justice, democracy and non- racialism.
Nobody disputes the fact that there exists the need to redress the injustices brought about by colonialism and other similar forms of conquest.
Landlessness and land ownership have to be addressed urgently and equitably. That being so, it is also true that every foresighted and responsible person would not endorse the sadistic and bloodthirsty approach (taking root in Zimbabwe) in addressing the malady of landlessness or the imbalances of land allocation.
The current land invasions are playing havoc with the Zimbabwean economy and its internal and external relations.
Zanu-PF for its part proves the adage that "absolute power corrupts absolutely".
Overwhelming victory at the ballot box does not mean literally obliterating the opposition, dissenting voices and any other legitimate contending forces.
The current seizure of farms by force, violence, destruction of life and property are nothing but a deadly recipe for anarchy. One day, history teaches us, this monster of murder and mayhem will turn against itself and its own people when the "enemy" is no more.
Today's heroes/war veterans may be tomorrow's villains/armed bandits.
The quest for overwhelming power given by two-thirds majorities has inherent dangers of dictatorship, tinpot-despotism and cancerous corruption. Those who wield too much power are prone to hold their very electorate in disdain and contempt by pushing and manipulating them as inanimate pawns.
It is this absolute unquestioning loyalty and patriotism that nourished Hitler's nazism to the ultimate detriment and shame of Germany.
Turning to the South African Government's stance on Zimbabwe, which is full of opportunistic doublespeak and paralysis. First they are silent as a grave, followed by a sudden flurry of contradictory pronouncements.
Two months ago Democratic Party (DP) proposals to the Government to jointly assess and explore the possibility of assisting in resolving the self-made crisis in Zimbabwe were rebuffed and ignored.
It seems quite certain that our Government is blinded and inhibited by its intense dislike dissenting views, especially outside its structures. And, of course, the deep-seated pride, if not hubris, tend to put a brake on the Government's actions at times.
Belatedly, after precious lives and property have been lost, our Government reacts in a in "tip-toe" cloak and dagger manner. True to form, the Government is tempted to play the race card like Mugabe - demonising all not within their kraal of thinking.
"You are with us or against us, thus enemies deserving to be lynched".
South Africa does not have to invade Zimbabwe militarily but has to speak up and admonish Zimbabwe when human rights, democracy et al, are threatened.
By the same token our neighbours, the continent and the free world have to do likewise when we transgress and threaten inalienable human rights and tenets of a democratic society.
Isn't it time for the Government to put aside its puerile antics, pride and fierce dislike for opposition and legitimate criticism? My contention is that African renaissance basically means recapturing/retrieving those norms and values of an Africa where one (especially those given the responsibility of ruling) is obliged to give respectful hearing to others, even if one does not agree with the viewpoint expressed.
All this must be supported by mutual respect, if not ubuntu-botho.
ANC Statement on Delegation to Zimbabwe
Johannesburg (African National Congress of South Africa, May 15, 2000) - The Secretary General of the ANC, Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe returned on Sunday from Zimbabwe he went as a one-person delegation to meet to meet the leadership of the two leading political parties in that country, to discuss the contentious issue of land and the coming general elections.
Initially, the delegation was meant to comprise of the Secretary General and Head of International Affairs, Comrade Mavivi Myakayaka-Manzini. Comrade Myakaya-Manzini was, however, forced to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to a pressing, unforeseen family problem.
Comrade Motlanthe and the two Zimbabwean parties agreed that the 1998 agreement to address the land question in that country should be implemented. He informed the leaders of the two parties that the ANC was concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe.
He also urged the two parties to do their best to ensure that the elections in Zimbabwe were free and fair. The two parties each gave their assurance that they will endeavour to ensure that the elections are free and fair. He reported back to the National Working Committee which met in Durban today (Monday).
Issued by the ANC Issued by Nat Serache Media Liaison Officer 51 Plein Street Johannesburg 2001
Issued by The African National Congress, Department of Information and Publicity, P.O. Box 61884, Marshalltown 2107, Johannesburg. Email: info@anc.org.za
Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections Set for June 24-25, SABC Says
Bloomberg News May 15 2000 2:32PM
Johannesburg, May 15 (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections will take place June 24 and 25, the South African Broadcasting Corp. reported, citing an announcement by the Zimbabwean government.
Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party faces its strongest challenge yet, from the Movement for Democratic Change. The onset of elections has caused recent violence in the southern African state, analysts and the MDC have said. White-owned farms have been invaded by groups backing ZANU-PF. That helped spark an outflow of regional investment, pushing the South African rand to new lows.
The U.K. has made free and fair elections a condition for the release of funds for Zimbabwe land reform. South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has tried to broker an accord between the U.K. and Zimbabwe, said Saturday the ruling African National Congress sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to meet with ZANU-PF and the MDC to discuss conditions for a fair vote.
Commonwealth leader sees Zimbabwe foreign minister
Reuters May 15 2000 12:35PM ET
HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon briefed Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge Monday on international concerns about a violent land grab ahead of Zimbabwean parliamentary elections due by August.
McKinnon and European Union Africa specialist Roger Moore arrived separately Monday to convey concerns to President Robert Mugabe over his handling of the crisis in which at least 20 people have died and hundreds have been hurt.
``We went through all the issues raised by the ministers of CEMAG (Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group),'' McKinnon told reporters. ``We raised all the other concerns of Commonwealth leaders.''
The Commonwealth group issued a strong statement in London earlier this month condemning lawlessness and political intimidation in the former Rhodesia.
McKinnon said he would meet Mugabe later Monday.
Chenjerai Hunzvi, leader of the war veterans who have illegally invaded hundreds of white-owned farms, warned foreign journalists not to visit occupied farms without him.
``If you come on your own, you will suffer fractures,'' he said at a news conference called to parade two veterans who said they were attacked by workers on the Lonely Park farm south of Harare.
Hunzvi introduced a woman with a fractured forearm and a man with an injury to his forehead.
``I want you foreign journalists to report properly. Your reporting has been very biased. You say only the white farmer is the only one who is being assaulted, but here we have an example of what has been taking place,'' he said.
Hunzvi, who has echoed Mugabe's call to whites unhappy about events in Zimbabwe to leave, said white farmers were inciting their workers to resist the occupation of farms earmarked for redistribution to black peasants.
At least 20 people have died in the violence that erupted three months ago when self-styled war veterans linked with the ruling ZANU-PF party began occupying white-owned farms and beating and intimidating farmers and their workers.
McKinnon said he would express the 54-nation Commonwealth's concern about events in Zimbabwe when he met Mugabe, but added that he was not carrying ``a big stick.''
``I would like our talks to look to the future. In particular, I expect that the forthcoming election will be at the center of our discussions and I hope that our discussions will help toward creating an environment conducive to a free and fair electoral process,'' he told reporters.
EU TO SET UP ELECTION MONITORING
The European Union delegation arrived to set up an election monitoring operation.
``There is enormous concern about what is happening in Zimbabwe around the world. The economy is in crisis, and that does not make anyone happy,'' Moore told reporters.
``Everyone that has come out here has come to the conclusion that they (elections) will not be free and fair.
``Things are not going on very well here, and it is a matter of concern. Things can't go on like this, it is not sustainable,'' Moore said.
Zimbabwe's economy has fallen deeper into crisis since the war veterans began to reclaim white-owned farmland they say was stolen under British colonial rule.
Inflation has soared beyond 50 percent, unemployment is rising and foreign exchange reserves have dropped to the equivalent of only one or two days' imports, leading to a severe fuel shortage.
Donor countries have suspended most foreign aid, charging that Mugabe is intimidating opposition parties and making it impossible to stage free and fair parliamentary elections by the constitutional deadline of August.
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said Monday it was probing a newspaper report that two of its members had been killed last week and that 15 had been abducted and were missing.
A spokesman said the MDC had been unable to confirm the reports of a clash between MDC supporters and pro-government forces mounting a pre-election campaign of violence.
The murder of two MDC members went unreported for more than a week recently, apparently because local police were reluctant to report the incident to headquarters.
A white Zimbabwean farmer died Sunday, three days after being shot in an apparent robbery while his farm was occupied by pro-government militants.
John Weeks was the fourth white farmer to die violently since war veterans began three months ago to seize hundreds of white farms for redistribution to landless blacks.
Farm security sources said Monday seven groups of young ZANU-PF supporters had set up roadblocks on the road to Kariba Sunday, searching cars and intimidating drivers.