- Dear Family and Friends,
-
- This week Zimbabwe's opposition made a monumental decision.
Their Executive announced that the MDC would not be taking part in any
more elections, at any level, in Zimbabwe. In a carefully worded statement
the opposition talked about "suspending participation" until
"political space had been opened up and a legal, institutional and
administrative framework had been established." In simple English
I suppose the MDC's statement means "we aren't going to play this
game any more until you stick to the rules."
-
- Most Zimbabweans don't know what the rules are anymore
when it comes to elections because the government have changed them so
many times since they lost the constitutional referendum in 2000. Speaking
in a televised address to the nation after that defeat in 2000 President
Mugabe said the result was "unfortunate" and four and a half
years later I find myself reading his words with disbelief. He said: "The
world now knows Zimbabwe as that country where opposing views can file
so singly and so peacefully to and from the booth without incident. I have
every confidence that the forthcoming general elections will be just as
orderly, peaceful and dignified."
-
- It is hard to believe what has happened since President
Mugabe made that speech 54 months ago. The daily independent press has
gone - closed down by the government. The constitution has been changed
allowing the state to seize private property. Private radio and television
stations have gone - banned by the government. Thousands of born and bred
Zimbabweans have been made stateless and stripped of their right to vote.
Legislation now exists making it a criminal offence to criticise the President,
a criminal offence to hold a political meeting without police permission,
even a criminal offence to sell maize to anyone other than the state.
When parliament re-opens in October, it is likely that it will even be
made a criminal offence to operate a charity in Zimbabwe.
-
- At each and every election since 2000, Zimbabwe has turned
into a bloodied battle field. Belonging to the opposition has been a literally
life and death decision. Carrying an MDC membership card, wearing their
T shirt or being openly involved in their party in any way has incited
the wrath of government and its supporters. People have been beaten, burned,
stoned, tortured, raped, maimed and murdered. People's homes have been
torched by petrol bombs, looted by mobs and had every window, door and
roofing sheet smashed.
-
- At every election in the past four and half years the
Zimbabwe government have changed the rules. They have changed constituency
boundaries at the last minute, reduced the number of polling stations in
congested areas and increased them in remote areas, changed static polling
stations into mobile ones and denied the opposition their right to inspect
the voters roll. Obviously the MDC had no choice but to finally stop giving
legitimacy to Zimbabwe's elections. We don't know what lies ahead but for
now the overwhelming feeling is one of immense relief that the bully boys
who are already hanging around on our street corners have lost their reason
for being. Until next week, love cathy Copyright cathy buckle 28 August
2004
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