- Dear Family and Friends,
-
- A month ago two of the most important African Presidents
said that they would not support a renewal of Zimbabwe's suspension from
the Councils of the Commonwealth. Nigerian President Obasanjo and South
African President Mbeki said they had been reassured by the Zimbabwean
government that the land seizures were over. They were also told that all
white farmers who had been thrown off their land would be given another
farm in a policy of one farmer, one farm. They were lied to because in
the last 10 days thirteen farms have been listed for state seizure and
24 others in Karoi have been served with 90 day eviction notices and none of
us have been given back a farm on which to grow food for our starving country.
The African Presidents also said that they were satisfied with assurances
from our government that public repression would stop. Again they were
lied to because since their visit 280 people have been arrested under the
Public Order and Security Act. This number includes 73 women on a peace
march; 19 priests and clergymen on a freedom of worship march; 1 human
rights lawyer, 1 Bishop and 1 American diplomat. It also includes a well
known civic rights leader who was assaulted whilst in police custody
and 26 opposition MDC supporters whose vehicle was stopped as it drove
past State House. The 26 were taken into the grounds of State House, detained
and physically assaulted for wearing MDC T shirts. Another 70 MDC supporters
were dragged out of their homes by police in the early hours of the morning
after having attended an MDC rally.
-
- Africa's two most important and influential leaders were
not the only ones who were taken in by lies. The International Cricket
Council said they were satisfied with reassurances by Zimbabwean police
that cricket fans would be allowed to demonstrate peacefully at world cup
matches here. In fact, 41 were arrested for demonstrating after the match
against Holland, 28 after the game with Pakistan and 5 after the game against
Australia. In a number of cases those arrested were held for as long as
4 days without being allowed bail and many were assaulted, kicked and whipped
whilst in police custody. People carrying newspapers not written and owned
by the State were not allowed to take them in to the grounds and one man
was detained and interrogated because he wore a black armband. All queues,
whether for food or fuel, were banned on roads leading to cricket grounds
and people went hungrier than before. There was nothing at all peaceful
about the world cup cricket matches that were held in Zimbabwe and frankly
we are glad it's over.
-
- Contrary to all the arguments that the cricket matches
would highlight our plight, in fact they exacerbated it. Not once did we
see film footage of protesters or even close up shots of our two brave
players who wore black armbands. All the world saw were ridiculously
romantic pictures of lions and elephants and Victoria Falls during the
game breaks and not people queuing for fuel, lining up for bread,
waiting for world food aid or being arrested and bundled into police
cars for carrying banners calling for democracy. The oppression of all
Zimbabweans, men and women, black and white, priests, professionals and
peasants has increased dramatically recently. Arrests, unlawful detentions
and assaults in police custody are now everyday occurrences and there are
9 pages carrying public statements by human rights and civic groups in
this weeks Independent newspaper.
-
- Zimbabwe's all powerful police found themselves unusually
impotent when the remnants of Cyclone Japhat hit us this week.
The worst storm in Marondera deposited 40 mms (1.5 inches) of rain in just
half an hour and 3 days later nothing whatsoever has been done to repair
the damage inflicted by the wrath of God. Storm drains uncleared for over
a year still spew rivers across the streets. Pot holes have become
craters; suburban tar roads have become slippery tracks with as little
as 18inches of width still in tact. Cemeteries are flooded, graves and
headstones have subsided into mud and dirt roads have become slippery accidents
waiting to happen. Nothing is being done because the councils have no money.
They have no money because their biggest source of revenue came from the commercial
farmers, 85% of whom have been evicted by the State.
-
- Things are falling apart very rapidly in Zimbabwe. This
week the National railways announced the suspension of trains between the
country's two main cities, Harare and Bulawayo, because of damage to the
line. The damage was not caused by Cyclone Japhat but by illegal gold panners
who have been left unchecked for months. They have now dug their trenches
for gold right under the main rail line and it is no longer safe. No one
knows yet how the goods carried by the daily train will now reach Bulawayo
- petrol, diesel and food. People are hungry and angry, infrastructure
is collapsing and still our own African neighbours will not condemn our
governance. There are none so blind as those that will not see.
-
- Until next week, with love cathy.
-
- Copyright cathy buckle, 8th March 2003.
- Both of my books, "African Tears" and "Beyond
Tears"
- are available from <http://www.exclusivebooks.com>www.exclusivebooks.com
and <http://www.kalahari.net>www.kalahari.net
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