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Zimbabwe inquisition
Clyde B Chakupeta
November 21, 2008

Introduction

If rejecting envoys ever became an Olympic sport, the 'government in Zimbabwe- would have few rivals for the gold. The news that the Zimbabwean 'government- has refused to grant visas to the three Elders, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and Graca Machel, come as no surprise. This 'government- is notorious for playing hide and seek and playing the blame game. The latest rejection of the three elders has prompted some justification from the regime that shamelessly defend non other than their self claim to power. There is a lot of disgrace to be hidden in Zimbabwe, reason why envoys are not a welcome 'species-. Crimes against humanity have driven political leaders to deny genuinely concerned 'elders- entry to expose the situation. This government has fallen short of any meaningful reasoning. But here is a situation that can no longer be hidden. I intend to discuss three major issues.

Formula for disaster

Harare has decided not even to allow the envoys coming to assess the impact of the damage they have inflicted upon powerless people, thereby jeopardizing their humanitarian concerns. Instead, the government claims that the Elders need to come at a 'convenient time-. This is but just but a myopic assessment of the dismal situation in Zimbabwe. People are dying of hunger, of cholera and other readily curable diseases, yet Harare claims a postponement of such a vital assessment of the 'escalating humanitarian crisis-. What the 'government- assumes to be 'convenient- time agreed by both sides takes no consideration of the dying population. Such a government is worse than two devils.

Rationalized irrational fear

To argue that the group is made of personalities deemed hostile to Zimbabwe is only a manifestation of the fears of exposure. If there is transparency, why the shivers? They draw a straw-man by referring to Desmond Tutu, who is not part of the delegation but critical of Mugabe. They suspect Kofi Annan of harbouring vengeful motives. Does this government think that it is infallible and not prone to criticism? Any representation for the cause of justice is viewed as based on lack of impartiality. The mission being represented by the elders is one for the survival of the Zimbabwe population, people whose independence has been lacerated by Mugabe during Gukurahundi, the farm invasions, Operation Murambatsvina, well-known electoral frauds, brutal beatings and killings of opposition and civil leaders. To suspect that Kofi Annan comes with a hidden agenda, as was the suspicion against Anna Tibaijuka in 2005, shows clearly that the Mugabe administration has skeletons to hide.

One government minister-s claims that Harare is busy with the negotiations, with its agricultural activities and end of year programmes is just but a lame apology. This is meant to sway the concerned elders from exposing the damage done in Zimbabwe. Mugabe is a man with no feelings. It beats all reasoning that his 'government- desires to hide the suffering in Zimbabwe under the pretext of farming season preparations and the negotiations. South Africa has just withdrawn aid to Zimbabwe until the formation of a unity government, which to Mugabe is but a game of non-equals. Mugabe continues to shift the goal posts in the middle of the game. Mugabe is a well that has run dry and no longer has the moral authority to rule the country. Apparently, his fears are genuine - incarceration for the grievous crimes against humanity that he has committed all these years. It is undeniable that Mugabe must swing.

His acolytes, Chinamasa, Gono, Matonga, Charamba and others, must answer for the deaths of thousands of Zimbabweans dying today of hunger, of cholera, or poor health and sanitation and HIV/AIDS. People died during Gukurahundi; Operation Murambatsvina; during the farm invasions whilst others disappeared, the work of the notorious CIO. This government must answer to the displacement of millions of Zimbabweans, the majority of whom are political and economic refugees in neighboring countries and beyond. This government must answer to the destruction of property and families. Let it be made clear that it will not be business as usual when a new leadership takes over. That is what Mugabe is afraid of. He will be held accountable for whatever has befallen the country. Such fears have driven him to employ force to remain at the helm of the collapsing country.

Change through active participation

However, it is consoling to note that every long journey overturns the standard order of life. An objective revolution meant for change must begin by Zimbabweans transforming themselves - to transform into a people ready for a new dispensation. Active participation is already spreading in Zimbabwe and beyond the borders, people have suffered enough. Calls have been made previously, but the people were lukewarm. The 'final push- could have succeeded long ago, if the people had actively participated. Many preferred passive involvement and this has led the country where it is now. There is need to get involved in organized protests, support the NCA initiative for a weekly 'stay away-, even if it means risking, it is worthy it. Mugabe needs to be removed so as to save the nation. And the time is now. The police, the army and the youth militant have been used and will be used to divide and rule. If allowed to continue, such a plot could turn the country into fiefdoms of warlords like Somalia. Mugabe has been allowed to turn brother against brother, son against father, mother against daughter and to deteriorate the whole nation. However, the silent majority, who have for a long time been spectators on the terraces now realize that their participation in the game designed to liberate the nation is the only way to go. They have boiled with righteous anger at a leadership that extends infinite indulgence of destroying the nation. This is the moment, there is enough support from the international community, but Zimbabweans need to play their own part. Those who were too noble to be distracted by the siren of suffering in Zimbabwe realize the total collapse of the nation.

There is hope

The region must move past the debilitating, self-perpetuating regional gentleman-s soft-voice against Mugabe but salvage the potential of a new Zimbabwe. The 'Elders- are a part of the international community supporting the cause of a new Zimbabwe, so are other world leaders calling for Mugabe to go. Political stability and economic progression are the foundation of social harmony, that Zimbabwe should attain sooner than later.

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