New ballot decision "meaningless"

Why the MDC has already rejected proposed recounts of the parliamentary vote

A total of 23 constituency recounts of Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections, in which President Mugabe and Zanu-PF lost out to Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has been announced by the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission, and will take place next Saturday. But the MDC has already made it clear that it will not accept any change in the results.

"For us, that is accepting rigged results," said MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa. And, echoing the scenario outlined on this site at the end of last week, he went on: "They had custody of the ballot boxes for two weeks, and they must have stuffed them with their votes."

For similar reasons many observers are now discounting in advance the results of the presidential elections, which today, Sunday, are still not available, after more than two weeks.

The emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Lusaka on Saturday issued a joint declaration which called for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to verify and publish the election results "speedily", and for all parties to accept those results.

MDC General-Secretary Tendai Biti reacted positively to this declaration, saying this was a major improvement, and he was satisfied with the result of the meeting. But others said that Mugabe would take no notice of a meeting which he did not even bother to attend.

Meanwhile the MDC have announced a general strike throughout Zimbabwe, beginning on Tuesday, and designed to force the publication of the presidential vote.

MDC leaflets distributed over the weekend, read: "We call upon transporters, workers, vendors and everyone to stay at home. The power is in our hands. Zimbabweans have been taken for granted for too long."

The strike was to have been announced at an opposition rally today, Sunday. But the police have now banned all political rallies. Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena, said: "We see no reason for rallies since we have now had elections."

Other post-election developments include many reported attacks by War Veterans and other militia on those believed to have voted against Mugabe. One example took place at Silver Stream Farm in Centenary, Mashonaland Central Province, where 30 homes belonging to farm workers were torched, and the occupants robbed, terrorised and beaten.

Several people were injured in the attack, others escaped to spend three nights in the open in nearby hills, or hiding in tobacco sheds.

One other development during the past two weeks has been the ludicrous sight of defeated Zanu-PF candidates trying to recover the bribes and inducements they distributed to voters before the election in an attempt to buy support.

One such is Elias Musakwa, the Zanu-PF losing candidate for Bikita West constituency, who is believed to have been successful in recovering some computers he gave to schools and training centres. But in the villages he met problems.

One villager, Cleopas Moyo, told me:  "During the campaign he gave us ploughs, harrows, cultivators, computers, maize-meal, furniture, sewing machines, money, cooking oil, clothes and other things. We ate all the food, and some of the equipment we sold. But now he wants everything back."

Asked for a comment, Musakwa came up with a unique excuse: "I made it clear that when I gave them the goods it was for them to use for a specific time. I never intended to give them permanently."

Comments

[McPaul]

The proposed 'New Ballot Decision' by Zanu PF will or has caused western and other outside interested parties to throw up their hands in exasperation and perhaps turn their backs on the whole affair out of sheer frustration. This is precisely what this so called 'decision' was intended to do.

[jo]

people in zimbabwe first priority is food & water that is what magube is hoping for so that he can rig the ballot. I hope that the people of zimbabwe black & white unite & say no to an evil regime. Shame on south africa for not speaking out. Please wake up the past is history. Look to the future if south africa & other african states ignore whats happening zimbabwe will have no future. it saddens me that such a beautiful country is being destroy by magube & his followers

[Thomas Dickenson]

Sir;
This terrible situation in Zimbabwe where Mugabe has stolen the democratic rights of the people and replaced democracy with the rule of the gun and intimidation and violence, must not be allowed to continue a day longer.
The USA, UK and all the EU Countries must now jointly take action. Other African Countries, particularly South Africa are not going to do anything. They are frightened stiff of Mugabe and would rather see the citizens of Zimbabwe massacred than force Mugabe and his murdering thugs and cohorts out of office.

The problem with the UK doing anything to help, is the Government is so weak and without leadership, that their own political infighting shows them up as the governors of a nation without the will to take the initiative to stop Mugabe now before Kenya and then South Africa follows suit. The EU has no particular interest in Africa and would rather Zimbabwe would just fade away into obscurity. The USA has no real interest in Zimbabwe because there is no oil there and they have enough problems of their own with Iraq and Afghanistan. They all have plenty of rhetoric but no intent.
Let us hope that the madman Mugabe will be forced out quickly by the rule of law so that democracy can be restored as soon as possible and all those responsible for organising and conducting the violence and corruption in Zimbabwe can be dealt with according to the law.

[Alisdar budd]

The British cant do anything, for no SA country will give them a base to operate from. If they do do anything, including food aid, it is proof of an "imperialist regime change agenda.

Mbeki, and the SADC have been protecting Mugabe and Zanu pf because he is a "Liberation War Hero" so he can kill as many of his people as he wants whilst treating them worse than the colonialists and will play an inverted race card against whites if anyone complains.

This is an "African solution to an African problem."

Some of my friends (Black) in SA are now telling me that it is being suggested that Mbeki is being bribed with Platinum mine options or has a "Gay Crush" for Mugabe, because no-one can come up with any other explanation of his denial of a crises in Zimbabwe.

[james A.]

i would like to express my gratitude to the peolple of Zimbabwe for the humble spirit they displayed for the decades of terror that they have been going thru. they could have long been another kenya, rwanda or Ethiopia but they preserved their country from war and they never fought. MAKOROKODZA!!

i'm greatly worried about the man who is grealy respected in SADC- Thabo Mbeki who seems to enjoy moving in the opposite direction all the time! HOW DARE he denies that there is a crisis in Zim when prepostreous things are being done which denounce the rule of law! im HAPPY HE IS NOT MY PRESIDENT I WOULDNT BE PROUD OF HIM!. this is the same man who has been controversial almost all the years of his tenue as president---1. He shook the world at one point when he denied the existance and impact of HIV!
2. He boldly stood to protect his failures and announced that crime was not an issue in SA whilest every minute there is rape and every 5 minutes there is robbery! what a shame

NOW, DO YOU THINK SUCH A MAN CAN MAKE A GOOD JUGDEMENT ON THE ZIM ISSUE?
I THINK ITS BETTER WE FORGET ABOUT HIM!!!!

[DC]

Good on the MDC for not playing Mugage's or SADC's game. How can any civilised, right-thinking person even suggest that 'releasing the results' now will help? The results are completely irrelevant because they are wholly untrustworthy. A recount is simply trying to make an illegitimate result 'feel' legitimate. Putting lipstick on a pig. Polishing a turd. You get the idea.

SADC are already at an advanced stage of crafting a government of 'unity' which sidelines the true president and ruling party of Zimbabwe (Tsvangirai/MDC). This is so they can avoid the embarrasment of dealing with them after years of showing complete disdain for them in their loyalty of Mugabe and ZANU-PF. And therefore they are grooming Makoni - an electoral reject - as their face-saver and Mugabe's get-out-of-jail card.

I'm sorry to have to say this, but the people in Zim need to show alot more backbone. They are alone in this - nobody is going to help Zimbabweans - least of all SADC. They need to get on the streets now and demand that Tsvanigirai is sworn in. I'm not advocating bloodshed, but if that's what ZANU-PF wants let them have it. Let Gandhi and Martin Luther King be your inspiration.

And one other point - consider leaving SADC and the AU after winning. They are a waste of space.

[Raymond Tan]

How can the world just keep quiet and let the people of Zimbabwe suffer so terribly. It is a great pity. I am always thinking of the people. What an inhuman person the president is. He fought the whites and gained independence. Independence of what?

[blessing rumbidzo]

What is wrong with having a re-count of the ballots. What is MDC afraid off. if it has won it would be proved. I remember in 2000 and 2002 elections the same MDC went to court demanding a re-count of certain ballots and the courts granted it. Why whats the diffience now? Is it because its now ZANU Pf demanding a re-count that we hear about rigging. In those elections where a re-count was done they found certian mistakes to the advantage of MDC. What should it be different this time. is MDC-T so insecure about its victoy that they are trying to prevent this re-count or it that it has something to hide. If Chamisa's statement is true that ZANU pf had the ballot for two weeks and could have stuffed it with their ballots, surely it stands to reason that if this is possible the same should have been done in 2002 elections and therefore MDC should not have demanded a re-count. MDC-T has called people to go on a nationwide strike on Tuesday inorder to force ZEC to release the results, the same MDC went to court demanding the same thing from the courts. Now the courts have not yet passed their judgment and already MDC-T is calling for streets protests. How come MDC-T want to start another process before the one it started is complete. Does this imply that MDC-T does not have confidence with the courts, if so why go there in the first. If they are confident with the courts, then why rush to start street protests before the court ruling. Who is creating confusion and anxiety among people in Zimbabwe? Is this the behaviour of a party supposedly coming into power which we want. Meanwhile Tsvangirai himself is in Gaborone supposedly hidding because according to Mr. Skelemani (Botswana Foreign Minister) Tsvangirai say "he fears of his safety in Zimbabwe". What kind of leader is he who runs and hide and leave the massess as it where at the mercies of ruthless tyrant. Tsvangirai is enjoying a five-star luxury accommodation in Gaborone and flying all-over the place in a private jet. If his flying around in a private jet is to sought "SADC intervention on the Zimbabwe crisis" as we are told. Then why call for protests when the very SADC Summit proposals made at the weekend have not yet even implemented. Indeed the ink of that document had not yet dried when Tsvangirai called for the nationwide strike.

[McPaul]

Judging from the above entry 14th April 12.47, it appears members of Zanu PF or even the CIO are closely monitoring these pages and comments. This is all to the good, it will cause them to realise the end is just round the corner.
Just before killing himself in Hitlers Berlin bunker, Goebbels remarked to one of the army clerks who survived the war, "The game is up".

[RKB]

The learned individual who posted his entry on Monday, 14 April 2008 at 12:47 asks a number of irrelevant questions.

Perhaps he or other Zanu PF sympathisers could answer a few here:

1) Who is responsible for the attacks against people who voted against Zanu PF? It could not be MDC as there is no logic to them attacking their own supporters.

2) Who, if they had a genuine choice, would really want to vote for the party that in recent years has presided over an economic disaster with hyper-inflation, massive unemployment and the departure of hundreds of thousands of people. Sadly, I suspect the answer to that one is people who have no choice because they have a gun to their head.

3) Why have there been a number of independent reports that ballot boxes are being stuffed with extra papers at a police station in Harare to boost Zanu-PF's tally ahead of the re-count?

[Big Daddy]

Mugabe is the biggest rock ape in town. Oh Africa - what a mess? Give it back to the white Imperialists and see the place thrive. More proof that blacks can not rule themselves but need the whites to step in again and take control.

[McPaul]

Hope no one takes any notice of the above comment 15th April 08.56, it is either written by an idiot or the CIO. If entered by the CIO it was done to cause havoc, chaos, disorder and confusion among the commentators for obvious reasons.

[jo]

I am black Afro Carribbean person living in the UK & quite frankly i am sick & tired of Africans blaming UK,USA & EU. Its about time you take the blame for the mess in Africa especially Mugabe's regime & other oppressive regimes in Africa. You all wanted independence & yet you have not shown any improvement by running your own countries. I hate to say this but Ian Smith was right to say that Zimbabewe will be ruined,instead of Mugabe proving him wrong he has plundered a country that had a future & Smith has been proved right. The people of Zimbabewee have acted in a civilised manner so far but for how long? I hope that they do not lose their dignity. I look at the wealth that Africa has & can see the greatness it can be. People of Africa please wake up & take a step back & be strong. Enough is enough take your countries back from the oppressors because blaming the UK,USA,EU etc is not the answer because thats what the likes of Mugabe & Co want you to believe.

[Big Daddy]

To McPaul, no one has taken any notice of your crappy comments. I reckon you're a rock ape too and Mugabe bangs your ass all day.

[McPaul]

To Big Daddy, thanks for identifing yourself, it is now revealed you are not CIO so therefore you can only be the former mentioned.

[jo]

I have been watching events unfold & I am not surprised that the opposition has stood down. They need support from outside of Africa. It is a disgrace that other African states have abandon the people of Zimbabwee, they are weak. Mugabe is a terrorist & should be removed by any means necessary. We the so call International Community need to stop pussing footing around & get tough with Mugabe & his henchmen. Are we going to just keep looking & let more people die?

[Michael]

That is exactly what the international community will do, because thats exactly what they have done for the past 40 or so years, firstly with ZANLA and ZIPRA in the Rhodesian bush war, and then with ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe.

The only difference now is that instead of being opposed by the security forces in his pursuit of power, he IS the security forces and can do as he pleases without opposition.

[jo]

What an utter sham. Zimbabwe does not want another 5 years of insanity & as for South Africa they are a disgrace. People of Zimbabwe its time to stand up & fight for your freedom. Do not let this sham continue for another 5 years, even if you die trying its better than seeing your country being destroyed even further. Be strong. God bless you all.

[Coronella Keiper]

So, what are you doing, Jo?

[jo]

Well Coronella I am sending messages to my friends in Zimbabwe my support I am just one of many people who are supporting & encouraging people to stand up & be counted to fight for such a beautiful country & not let the opressors rule, what are you doing? I have no infleunce I can only encourage you should be asking the same question to the rest of Southern Africa because as far as I can see the influential have sat back, said & done nothing. Mugabe & his henchmen should be removed by force if necessary. Lets hope the African Nations tomorrow will all turn their backs & shun him he is not fit for purpose. Both the Bishop of York & Desmond Tutu have said enough is enough. No more Mugabe.

[Michael]

I think most of us are doing all we can from our respective areas of the world, the only unfortunate thing is that our respective governments are not. The outcry against the ZANU-PF regime, and Mugabe in particular, is growing in strength daily, but by the time it reaches the crescendo when something *has* to be done, will it be too late for the people of Zim.

There are also outcries coming from the other direction, claims that sanctions will further harm the people. And this is true, but what you have to ask yourselves is which will harm them more ..... sanctions that have a possible effect of removing the Mugabe regime (just as western and UN sanctions against Rhodesia contributed to the installation of Mugabe in the first place) or lifting of all sanctions to create an all powerful ZANU-PF within Zimbabwe? Either way there is going to be loss of life, either way there is going to be hardship ..... but one way leads to a short term solution where the death toll will eventually fall (sanctions) and the other leads to a constant hardship, where it has been proven that the death toll WILL rise (Mugabe/ZANU-PF)