Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

Let us all stop the violence
Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn Movement
May 18, 2008

We have received, with great concern, reports of politically motivated violence across Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas. Zimbabweans are being subjected to senseless violence and terror that has resulted in deaths, displacement, and increasing numbers of victims in our hospitals and clinics throughout the country.

This is a sorry tale of horrendous and diabolical deeds, and a violation of human rights. Families, relatives and friends are being set against one another in a senseless political dogfight; and Youths are being unleashed on ordinary Zimbabweans, whose only crime is their courage to stand up for their right to choose. Not only is this violence unwarranted and unacceptable, more so as it comes after the people of Zimbabwe have just participated in an election that they believed would reflect their wishes. In return, they are now confronted by the reality that this is not so, and that they will not be enjoying their freedom of expression after all.

This is a national tragedy because it reinforces the view that violence in Zimbabwe has become endemic and part and parcel of our political culture. Systematic violence as a weapon for settling political scores, has no place in a country that purports to be democratic. It is without doubt that an indictment on the country's collective leadership: that we appear to stand aside and look while this scourge continues. We, of Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn Movement hereby state that "We Stand With The People And Denounce All Forms Of Violence", and challenge the leadership of both ZANU PF and MDC to genuinely and publicly, do the same.

We are equally concerned that this violence is being perpetrated at a time when Zimbabweans as a whole are enduring untold suffering as a consequence of the mismanagement of the economy that has led inflation so high that it has broken all time records. Zimbabweans have for almost a decade now taken their suffering with humility and steadfastness, believing that democracy is the answer to our problems. One would think that, given these circumstances, a responsible leadership would place more emphasis on creating an empowerment that lessens their suffering.

Again, we reiterate that the deepening national crisis offers leadership across the board, an opportunity to engage and talk with one another, putting partisan priorities aside, and for once placing the interests of the nation and its people first.

We therefore welcome President Mbeki's initiative of sending a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe to investigate the incidents of violence. We believe this will serve as a clear signal to the perpetrators of this violence that the SADC leadership is taking this crisis seriously and are concerned. It is our hope that this mission will assist us in finding solutions as we consider the way forward. It is important to recognize that no meaningful elections could ever take place under a political environment such as this. The only way forward is to begin engaging in constructive dialogue with one another before the situation degenerates further. We owe the people of Zimbabwe political stability and security.

In conclusion, we offer our condolences to the relatives, friends and associates of those who have been killed; and deepest sympathies those injured and displaced in this senseless violence, and ask the nation to assist them. WE commend the courageous individual members of the Law enforcement Agencies who have rendered assistance to their compatriots, thus saving precious lives. Equally commended, are the medical doctors and their staff in hospitals and clinics throughout the country, who have worked tirelessly, answering their call of duty, and this, happening within a very challenged health service.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP