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Democratic struggle lives on
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
March 10, 2011

The arrests, intimidation and persecution of civil society actors and perceived opponents of ZANU PF is a clear case of the last resort of a defeated and weakened dictator. Revolutions which are sweeping Africa and the Middle East have led to despondency in the ZANU PF camp. The results are clear, innocent civilians are arbitrarily arrested under unclear circumstances, human rights activists are continuously persecuted and some Movement for democratic Change (MDC) Members of Parliament are facing a cocktail of charges while military patrols have become the norm. Despite attempts to silence pro-democracy actors, the struggle lives on.

In light of the developments of the past months, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President, Morgan Tsvangirai held a press conference on the 10th of March 2011 lamenting the crisis currently facing the country highlighting that these assaults are meant to reverse the people's gains arising from the March 2008 election and promote total chaos and fear in the country. Tsvangirai said the violent activities taking place in and around the country are not isolated, but well planned, well orchestrated and well executed. Commenting on the Supreme Court decision which reversed the election of the first non-ZANU PF Speaker of Parliament since independence, Lovemore Moyo, Tsvangirai argued that the judiciary is being used as an appendage of ZANU PF and the interference of the Supreme court negates the notion of the doctrine of separation of powers.

'As far as the MDC is concerned, these blatant attacks by a partisan police Commissioner-General, some sections of the judiciary and the Attorney-General represent a clear and present danger to the continued existence of this transitional government. This agenda has the overt support of a section in the ZANU PF which was behind the violence in the country in the run up to the 27 June 2008 sham election', said Tsvangirai. The Prime Minister also condemned the arrest of Minister of Energy and Power Development and MDC MP for Makoni North, Honorable Elton Mangoma in what he termed a deliberate political ploy of a desperate political party.

Commenting on the way forward, the MDC President said, 'If there is a breakdown in the relationship of the parties in the GPA, it is important for the parties to agree on a clean divorce. As far as we are concerned, the roadmap that President Zuma has committed himself to draw up is the only solution to this madness. I, as Morgan Tsvangirai, and the people's party that I lead, will remain focused on the struggle for democratic change in the country. We will not be swayed by desperate actions by a desperate political party. No amount of lies, violence, persecution or wrongful prosecutions will deter us from the struggle to deliver real, positive change to the People of Zimbabwe. Indeed ZANU PF's actions are meant to cause agony to all democratic forces struggling for democratic change and no amount of violence and persecution will thwart the struggle.'

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