30th May 2008

Dear Friends.
People here in the UK often ask me why Mugabe and Zanu PF continue to hold elections when they have absolutely no intention of abiding by the results. It’s a question Zimbabweans ask themselves too. The answer seems to be that Mugabe feels a compulsion to convince the world that he is a democrat despite all the signs to the contrary.

This week alone we have enough evidence to show Africa and the world - if they care to see - that Mugabe and Zanu PF are prepared to use every possible weapon in their considerable armoury to silence dissenting voices. 50 dead MDC activists are testimony to that. A truck full of newspapers critical of his regime is burned to ashes, journalists are arrested and imprisoned, the violence against the opposition continues with increasing ferocity, soldiers openly fire at innocent citizens going about their business at a shopping centre, five elected opposition MP’s languish in gaol, churches are invaded by mobs of gun-toting police and a theatre performance is stopped because, say the police, you must have our permission for dramatic performances. If there is no law prohibiting it then the police will simply make one up, that’s how it works in Zimbabwe under Zanu PF. The will of the people means nothing to a government that is determined to stay in power at all costs.

It was none other than the First Lady herself who said as much this week at one of the Zanu PF campaign rallies. Speaking to her husband’s supporters in Shamva on Thursday she said, ‘ Even if people vote for MDC Morgan Tsvangirai will never set foot inside State House…Even if Baba loses he will only leave State House for someone inside Zanu PF’ Interesting that Grace Mugabe has suddenly become so politically vocal.

It was surely no coincidence either that on the same day, Simba Makoni who came third in the recent poll with 7% of the vote was saying that the situation in Zimbabwe was too violent to hold the so-called run-off on June 29th. ‘It bodes ill for a free and fair election’ he said. Makoni is calling for a Government of National Unity in which he no doubt hopes for a position, Prime Minister Makoni, perhaps? It is noticeable that Makoni refuses to endorse either Tsvangirai or Mugabe. Waiting for the winner before he declares his allegiance? Once again we see not the will of the Zimbabwean people prevailing, but naked ambition and self-interest.

In their desperation to cling on to power, Zanu PF resort to bribery and downright lies, their contempt for the Zimbabwean people is revealed in their every crazed utterance. Samuel Mumbengwegwi announced on May 28th - one month before the Presidential run-off - that there would be free education, free health care, free social welfare, free bus fares and free maize seed and fertilizer. This at a time when the government itself admits to inflation of 1.7 million %! Mumbengwegwi carefully omits to say how long this period of government magnanimity will last or how it will be paid for or, even more to the point, who the recipients will be. Not anyone voting for the opposition, you can be sure of that. The Herald dutifully reports Mumbengwegwi’s remarks and adds that it is all intended ‘to cushion its citizens from illegal sanctions-induced hardships…It is all part of the government’s relentless efforts to safeguard its citizens from hunger, poverty and disease.’

Not content with blaming the MDC for the violence, Zanu PF apologists blame the ‘British Backed’ opposition for sanctions and the collapse of the economy. With mind-boggling hypocrisy, Mugabe declares ‘We want to warn the MDC that they should stop immediately this barbaric campaign of burning and destroying people’s homes.’ Just one glance at the gang of Zanu thugs who accompanied Mugabe to the Shamva rally is enough to show any sane observer who are the real perpetrators of the barbarous attacks. It seems Mr Mugabe has lost touch with reality; he lives in his own world and believes his own propaganda.

The Bright One, none other than the Deputy Minister for (mis) Information goes one better. He blames the MDC for the xenophobic attacks in South Africa too. ‘I am talking from an informed position,’ he claims, ‘ the MDC is recruiting thugs to target Zimbabweans to force them to return home and vote for Morgan Tsvangirai.’ So now we know; the Third Force that Mbeki is always blaming for the attacks is none other than the MDC! If that’s the case then we can neatly pin the blame on the UK and the US who, according to Mugabe are funding the opposition. That all fits in very nicely with the anti-imperialist rhetoric so beloved of Mbeki and Mugabe but it does nothing to allay the suffering of the ordinary people in either country. Constant talk of imperialist plots to undermine ‘his’ revolution does not fill empty stomachs or give the Zimbabwean people the change they voted for a month ago. Whether these are the death throes of the old regime or the birth pangs of a new order is the question no one can answer.
Yours in the (continuing) struggle. PH.

Note: This letter is published with kind permission of the author who has spent a lifetime helping to educate young people in rural Zimbabwe.

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