Death no longer stalks the streets of Zimbabwe.. it walks around openly and just takes whoever it wants. The very people whose job description begins with "Protect Life", the police, are one of the main causes of upholding not the law, but the lawless and helping death to roam unfettered.
Every day now it is harder and harder to find any justification Mugabe has for hanging on. He must go. NOW. And his party militia needs to be rapidly replaced by a force staffed by courageous individuals who are properly trained, equipped and disciplined needs to move in rapidly to restore order.
Botswana is who everyone should now be listening to. And I would think that if Morgan Tsvangirai fails to secure an agreement in South Africa that is both workable and enforceable, he should take up Botswana's offer and go directly to Gaborone. And the rest of the world should just ignore Mugabe and start to deal with the properly elected government of Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately, it seems that many world leaders are picked for their ignorance. I was watching a report on Television tonight in which a British MP was was being interviewed. He referred, repeatedly to the government of Zimbabwe taking action to avert the health crisis exploding there now.. which "government" is it that he is referring to? Is there a government in Zimbabwe right now?????? If so, what is it's composition? Who is in it? What mandate do they carry from the people of Zimbabwe? News media needs to get to grip with the fact that ZANU-pf is NOT THE RULING PARTY IN ZIMBABWE! And they need to stop conferring legitimacy on Mugabe's gang of thieves who are raping the country and enriching themselves further, Mugabe is NOT the PRESIDENT and he has no ministers.
I was pleased to see the new individuals named in the sanctions, Rautenbach has made a life outside the law - he was a Rhodesian sanctions buster and, no doubt one of Mugabe's greatest assets - The rest of the world now need to do the same thing and a huge investigation to find his resources needs to start now. I have no sympathy and would be glad to see him in court - he is one of the white criminals who has not only supported Mugabe, but also made an absolute killing off the backs of the poor people in the country.. of which there are many. Other notorious names need to be added to the list, not least of which is Nicholas Van Hoogstratten.
It will be interesting to see what happens next, but I hope to see Tsvangirai in Botswana leading the proper government of Zimbabwe.
Later
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Tuesday 25 November 2008
End of Times
Well the situation in Zimbabwe has gone from bad to worse. And will continue to do so until Mugabe and ZANU-pf either leave or accept the MDC as equal partners. In point of fact, Mugabe and ZANU-PF have no business running, or pretending to run Zimbabwe. The MDC (T) are the ruling party and it is high time they accepted it.
I have been reading, with interest, the comments by the group of so-called "elders". I have to marvel at Carters views.. the current Zimbabwe is a result of his views originally, now he seems to be labouring under the mis-apprehension that if the MDC join Mugabe's government as junior partners, they will be able to curtail the excesses of Mugabe and the JOC through their parliamentary majority!
How did this man become a world leader? Does he really believe, for one second, that Mugabe and the JOC will allow MDC to do anything at all? What does a parliamentary majority in Zimbabwe mean? Perhaps it means the same thing as a popular majority? Where the winners are beaten and jailed and the losers just take over and do as they please?
There is only two options remaining and I applaud Morgan Tsvangirai and his party for sticking to it - either a proper unity government in terms of the original agreement (not the "altered" one) with proper power sharing and the police force under the control of the MDC (T), or that ZANU-pf finally concede defeat and hand over the government to the legally elected leadership.
It is either that, or the deaths will soar. One cannot help but accept now, that the country has hit the bottom. Reports coming out of the country indicate that there is no functioning economy, no proper infrastructure, no law and order, no police force, no health service, no hospitals, no water, no electricity, no food... just nothing at all really, other than fear and oppression stalking the streets. And it will take some not inconsiderable sorting out. Mugabe couldn't make it work when he had everything going for him, how does anyone imagine he can make it work now?
His regional isolation continues to grow and the ante is growing steadily between ZANU-pf and Botswana. And probably his other neighbours too. I am so pleased that Botswana, Africa's most successful economy and democracy have mage no bones by clearly stating that they do not recognise Mugabe. Other nations would do well to follow their example. Botswana is a true friend of the Zimbabwean nation and all it's people - their straightforward stance is very hard for Mugabe and the JOC to deal with and Botswana is leading the way in saving the people of Zimbabwe. That Mugabe and the JOC have deployed CIO agents into Botswana to try and bolster their story is quite amusing really (apart from the fact that it is a hostile action against a sovereign and democratic nation and completely illegal). What happens when they turn up empty handed? I guess it will just mean another lie that Mugabe and his propaganda machine will find some bizarre explanation for, because, as we all know, Mugabe is never wrong and never at fault. The only people who have caused this in his opinion are some shadowy foreign governments who, by banning Mugabe and his people from travelling, have engineered the collapse of an entire nation... I think it will be highly amusing when Botswana start arresting CIO agents. It may even be a decent excuse for raising the diplomatic pressure even further.
I have been giving some thought to Mugabe's travel ban.. perhaps this should be lifted - when he arrives in a foreign country he can be arrested - he is not the elected leader of the nation and, therefore, in my mind, not entitled to diplomatic immunity. In fact, he is a common and garden criminal and needs to be brought before a court to face his handiwork! If western government are still frightened of taking action against Mugabe, they can readily call upon myself to do the deed, as a Zimbabwean police officer. As such I have the legal right to arrest him and would not hesitate to deal with the thugs that accompany him on his various jaunts. In terms of Zimbabwean law, I could also appoint Zimbabwean citizens to assist me in carrying out such an arrest and they can, under my direct supervision, act with full police powers. I wonder how volunteers would step up to the plate?
I think though, Mugabe and the JOC really need to sit up and take stock, they are painting themselves firmly into a corner - once they have alienated all their friends, and the list grows daily, their options for a bolt hole will be gone. So when it all finally comes crashing down around their ears, they will find themselves standing in a desert, surrounded by the Zimbabwean people rightfully seeking justice and there will be no where to hide.
I wonder if these talks will resolve anything.. until people like the "elders" actually wake up and stop making ridiculous suggestions which would play into Mugabe's hands and give him some sort of legitimacy, I doubt anything will change. And while things do not change, ordinary people living in fear are continuing to die because of Mugabe and because the rest of the world is too frightened to say anything.
Mugabe and his JOC have brought a reign of terror to the simple and decent people of Zimbabwe in their lust for power and their personal greed.. does this not then make them the epitome of terrorists? That being the case.. where is the GLOBAL war on terrorism and why is it failing the people of Zimbabwe? Is it simply because they are not a religious group? or, more correctly, is it because Zimbabwe has no oil?
I wonder how people will react to real policing when it returns to Zimbabwe along with freedom and democracy... We pray for that sanity to return every day.
Later.
I have been reading, with interest, the comments by the group of so-called "elders". I have to marvel at Carters views.. the current Zimbabwe is a result of his views originally, now he seems to be labouring under the mis-apprehension that if the MDC join Mugabe's government as junior partners, they will be able to curtail the excesses of Mugabe and the JOC through their parliamentary majority!
How did this man become a world leader? Does he really believe, for one second, that Mugabe and the JOC will allow MDC to do anything at all? What does a parliamentary majority in Zimbabwe mean? Perhaps it means the same thing as a popular majority? Where the winners are beaten and jailed and the losers just take over and do as they please?
There is only two options remaining and I applaud Morgan Tsvangirai and his party for sticking to it - either a proper unity government in terms of the original agreement (not the "altered" one) with proper power sharing and the police force under the control of the MDC (T), or that ZANU-pf finally concede defeat and hand over the government to the legally elected leadership.
It is either that, or the deaths will soar. One cannot help but accept now, that the country has hit the bottom. Reports coming out of the country indicate that there is no functioning economy, no proper infrastructure, no law and order, no police force, no health service, no hospitals, no water, no electricity, no food... just nothing at all really, other than fear and oppression stalking the streets. And it will take some not inconsiderable sorting out. Mugabe couldn't make it work when he had everything going for him, how does anyone imagine he can make it work now?
His regional isolation continues to grow and the ante is growing steadily between ZANU-pf and Botswana. And probably his other neighbours too. I am so pleased that Botswana, Africa's most successful economy and democracy have mage no bones by clearly stating that they do not recognise Mugabe. Other nations would do well to follow their example. Botswana is a true friend of the Zimbabwean nation and all it's people - their straightforward stance is very hard for Mugabe and the JOC to deal with and Botswana is leading the way in saving the people of Zimbabwe. That Mugabe and the JOC have deployed CIO agents into Botswana to try and bolster their story is quite amusing really (apart from the fact that it is a hostile action against a sovereign and democratic nation and completely illegal). What happens when they turn up empty handed? I guess it will just mean another lie that Mugabe and his propaganda machine will find some bizarre explanation for, because, as we all know, Mugabe is never wrong and never at fault. The only people who have caused this in his opinion are some shadowy foreign governments who, by banning Mugabe and his people from travelling, have engineered the collapse of an entire nation... I think it will be highly amusing when Botswana start arresting CIO agents. It may even be a decent excuse for raising the diplomatic pressure even further.
I have been giving some thought to Mugabe's travel ban.. perhaps this should be lifted - when he arrives in a foreign country he can be arrested - he is not the elected leader of the nation and, therefore, in my mind, not entitled to diplomatic immunity. In fact, he is a common and garden criminal and needs to be brought before a court to face his handiwork! If western government are still frightened of taking action against Mugabe, they can readily call upon myself to do the deed, as a Zimbabwean police officer. As such I have the legal right to arrest him and would not hesitate to deal with the thugs that accompany him on his various jaunts. In terms of Zimbabwean law, I could also appoint Zimbabwean citizens to assist me in carrying out such an arrest and they can, under my direct supervision, act with full police powers. I wonder how volunteers would step up to the plate?
I think though, Mugabe and the JOC really need to sit up and take stock, they are painting themselves firmly into a corner - once they have alienated all their friends, and the list grows daily, their options for a bolt hole will be gone. So when it all finally comes crashing down around their ears, they will find themselves standing in a desert, surrounded by the Zimbabwean people rightfully seeking justice and there will be no where to hide.
I wonder if these talks will resolve anything.. until people like the "elders" actually wake up and stop making ridiculous suggestions which would play into Mugabe's hands and give him some sort of legitimacy, I doubt anything will change. And while things do not change, ordinary people living in fear are continuing to die because of Mugabe and because the rest of the world is too frightened to say anything.
Mugabe and his JOC have brought a reign of terror to the simple and decent people of Zimbabwe in their lust for power and their personal greed.. does this not then make them the epitome of terrorists? That being the case.. where is the GLOBAL war on terrorism and why is it failing the people of Zimbabwe? Is it simply because they are not a religious group? or, more correctly, is it because Zimbabwe has no oil?
I wonder how people will react to real policing when it returns to Zimbabwe along with freedom and democracy... We pray for that sanity to return every day.
Later.
Monday 24 November 2008
The Gathering Storm
Well I have been away with work and training commitments.. so my apologies for the lengthy silence!
However, in retrospect, the past couple of weeks have been oddly quiet.. It makes me think of "the phony war"... because suddenly the temperature is rising. Whilst the world has been focused on resolving it's financial woes and governments have been doing some inventive stuff to help their people out.. Mugabe's non-existent illegal government have been trying to focus on ways to remain entrenched and enrich themselves at the expense of the Zimbabwean people.
And to quote a phrase that has much significance for some, The Silence Has Been Deafening!
In fact, much of the famous sermon preached by The Very Revd. J.R. da Costa, in the Cathedral of St. Mary and All Saints in Salisbury, Rhodesia, on Friday, 8 September, 1978 at the service for those who died and were massacred in the Viscount air disaster Sunday, 3 September, 1978 is again very relevant. One just wonders why it is that the world feels that it should fail to react to the excesses of murderers because they can quote some feeble justification? I am beginning to wonder where the greatest evil lies.. Here is a Transcript of that Sermon.. if you read it, I wonder how many situations around the world it could apply to? (not having read the whole site where this transcript is located, I cannot say whether I have a view on their site).
Anyway.. now suddenly, it would seem that patience is truly wearing thin and the noise against Mugabe's is growing. And significantly, the noise seems to be growing in Africa. Mugabe MUST surely be starting to get the picture? But then.. does he ever or, if he does, do the infamous JOC? They must believe that they are in control of very powerful forces that can withstand any pressure! Either that or they are trying to realise as much wealth as they possibly can from these diamond mines in the hope that they can disappear with their ill gotten wealth and leave their moire junior officers holding the baby. I think though, that the time is approaching where Zimbabwe is likely to turn into another Somalia, controlled by warlords who prey on any source of wealth, even if it is people.
So now the South African government is turning up their vocabulary at last.. but I see that the ineffective Mugabe supporter Thabo Mbeki is still guiding the "talks"!
Mugabe, no doubt, hopes to come to South Africa and be supported in his bid to unilaterally form a government and try to force the MDC to participate.. If the South African government cannot put pressure on Mbeki to bring a proper resolution, then they must realise that these talks too, will fail.
Clearly, unless the MDC are given a proper and significant stake in government, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. And people will continue to die and the region will continue to suffer. The MDC are playing an extremely courageous game here and standing hard on their principals. There have been many who feel that Morgan Tsvangirai (the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe) and the MDC(T) (The true RULING PARTY) should have given more ground or capitulated to Mugabe, however, that would not produce a country with a viable hope for the future.
The MDC MUST have control of the police. In its ENTIRETY. Not on an unworkable shared basis. They must be FULL partners in the government. With any luck, that would help to tear Mugabe's gang of thieves apart as the number of areas open to them diminishes, I expect the party in fighting over the scraps will tear it apart and, finally, ZANU-pf will be consigned to history.
It will be very interesting to see what is found inside Zimbabwe when it is opened up. And I think that any talk of amnesty for Mugabe and his JOC needs to go away now. Clearly the promise of indemnity has not pulled them into an agreement and it will be pressure that will achieve that instead. So, they should be prepared to face the law. And they should be punished and the wealth they have stolen from the people will have to be recovered.
It is interesting to note that the JOC is even beginning to fight amongst themselves.. over the diamonds and the one name that keeps coming up is Perence Shiri, one of the greatest architects of the decline of the country and it's forces. I recall in 1983 when he ordered the arrest of a group of pensioners who had gone to the KGVI bowling club to play lawn bowls. These old people were detained without charge and harassed for an entire night in freezing conditions where cold water was poured onto the floor every half an hour. Very minor stuff compared to what is going on now with helicopter gunships mowing down un-armed people, but very definitely a precursor to what is happening now. And, in those days, what was his real motive??
I was also interested to see this photograph on the SWRADIO website:
I would point out, again, that these are hardly policemen.. more they are the ZANU-pf official militia. Their shabby uniforms, incompatible with any of the force's published dress orders (not that any standing orders are adhered to any longer) is indicative of the depths being plumbed by what used to be a great force. And well, arresting a vendor for selling carrots - they can only have one reason for doing that - they are beginning to get hungry. I wonder how long loyalty lasts on an empty stomach? Anyway, this is typical of the zanu-pf militia - when something serious happens.. like murder, rape, robbery or abduction.. there is not reaction. But when something minor happens.. well it is clearly time to turn out the riot squad!
Significantly, I note there have been a number of explosions at police stations in Harare.. but in itself, these too are a mystery.
Are they ZANU-pf looking for an "incident" to justify a new Gukurahundi? I wonder, Mugabe has been too quiet on this, even that criminal zanu-pf mouthpiece, Bvudzijena, has had little to say other than security is being tightened up.
Or, is this policemen and women beginning to get restless? I note that apart from some minor structural damage, there have been no serious consequences, injuries or deaths. Very curious indeed!
Anyway, lets see what tomorrow brings. I doubt it will be any kind of result, but at least the pressure appears, at this point to be growing.
Later.
Thursday 13 November 2008
And so where to now?
The disappointing result of the useless conference with the weak and corrupt representatives of African governments is still heavy in the air and it leaves the biggest question of all - so where to now?
Clearly Mugabe holds some kind of sway over this regional grouping of cowards who have basically endorsed his position. So should the MDC join Mugabe in his "government" or not?
And this must be the most difficult question to answer - if they do not, Mugabe will crow loudly and say he offered the hand of reconciliation to them. And, therefore, their misfortunes are of their own making. He will use this point to claim some form of "legitimacy". Conveniently forgetting, of course, that he lost the elections and shouldn't be anywhere near parliament anyway! But also, if the MDC withdraw now, Mugabe will not be held to an election in two years, but hold out for another four years!
If they do, Mugabe will ensure that everything his party does wrong is blamed on the MDC, whilst claiming every small positive thing (for lets face it -they can only be small things now) is the doing of his party. Also, if they do join this fiasco, they will be giving legitimacy to Mugabe's process. But perhaps they can use their majority in parliament to frustrate zanu-pf at every turn? And at least they can try to force the election agreed upon in two years. Although, with Mugabe still in control of the guns, that elections will be another rigged fiasco!
So, in reality, Mugabe has, as the Bearded Man has always predicted, entrenched himself and Mugabe will not budge. He will remain, no matter what the rest of the world thinks, for the next however many years doing exactly as he pleases, supported by his band of thieves and murderers whilst so-called "diplomacy" continues to blunder along, delaying everything, letting more people die, letting Mugabe's thieves continue to take what little is left and nothing will change.
And that IS the fact - nothing will change until Mugabe dies. And the only thing we know for sure about Mugabe is his ability to hang on. He is 84 now and one would hope he is on his last legs (I have often read stories written about his ill health, but they have, as always, turned out to be mere wishful thinking) - this guy will be here till he is 90 something - at least a further 10 years. I wonder how much more wealth will be stripped away by his corrupt "officials"? I wonder how many more Zimbabweans will die of hunger, disease and the violence unleashed by his militias?
And what will be done about it?
NOTHING!
It is time for a different approach. I am often asked why no one has assassinated Mugabe yet - well, it would takes certain tools and equipment to achieve a surgical strike to remove him - but those tools are relatively impossible to come by. We also do not possess that fanatical sense where a suicide attack could be considered. The sad thing though, is that with Mugabe removed, hiw policy of "divide and rule" policy will cause ZANU-pf to implode and allow the MDC to take over. So, remove Mugabe, and the problem will go, the JOC will have no one to support and they will fight amongst themselves as to who will take Mugabe's place and will render themselves impotent in the process.
There is a way to do this job, but no one will consider it because violence against Mugabe cannot be condoned. It's ok to condone it against helpless men, women and children though!
I wonder if the world has reached such a state of madness that they can only consider "diplomacy" against someone who couldn't give a continental about what they say and who does not feel any form of "diplomatic pressure"?
I guess at the end of the day, we shall have to wait and see how much Zimbabweans can take before they openly confront soldiers and police in the streets and a bloodbath ensues. Mind you, I always marvel at the amount of fear Mugabe and ZANU-pf have instilled in the people, otherwise they would already be confronting off duty personnel and it would be too dangerous for service personal to be anywhere other than where they are in force! But I foresee even darker days ahead for my suffering country. As I keep telling everyone, "it will get MUCH worse before it gets better" and they say well it cannot get any worse. Every time someone says that, it gets worse.
I think it is time to start lobbying to have the world cup football removed from South Africa and for other forms of sanction on the entire regional grouping.. but these are all slow long term measures which are unlikely to change anything for the people who are suffering and dying every day.
And I think that any suggestion of a "deal" for Mugabe and his followers should now be put permanently away. When things finally do change, these murderers MUST be pursued to the ends of the earth in the same way the Nazi's were. And they should be brought to justice and their ill gotten wealth MUST be recovered for the state coffers from whence it came. The people of Zimbabwe need to be empowered again and that can only happen when Mugabe and ZANU-pf finally get removed. And the net must be cast wide to include any persons who have acted corruptly as this all helps the bad guys stay in control. Anyone who supports or props up the regime which has killed so many of it's own people must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Later.
Clearly Mugabe holds some kind of sway over this regional grouping of cowards who have basically endorsed his position. So should the MDC join Mugabe in his "government" or not?
And this must be the most difficult question to answer - if they do not, Mugabe will crow loudly and say he offered the hand of reconciliation to them. And, therefore, their misfortunes are of their own making. He will use this point to claim some form of "legitimacy". Conveniently forgetting, of course, that he lost the elections and shouldn't be anywhere near parliament anyway! But also, if the MDC withdraw now, Mugabe will not be held to an election in two years, but hold out for another four years!
If they do, Mugabe will ensure that everything his party does wrong is blamed on the MDC, whilst claiming every small positive thing (for lets face it -they can only be small things now) is the doing of his party. Also, if they do join this fiasco, they will be giving legitimacy to Mugabe's process. But perhaps they can use their majority in parliament to frustrate zanu-pf at every turn? And at least they can try to force the election agreed upon in two years. Although, with Mugabe still in control of the guns, that elections will be another rigged fiasco!
So, in reality, Mugabe has, as the Bearded Man has always predicted, entrenched himself and Mugabe will not budge. He will remain, no matter what the rest of the world thinks, for the next however many years doing exactly as he pleases, supported by his band of thieves and murderers whilst so-called "diplomacy" continues to blunder along, delaying everything, letting more people die, letting Mugabe's thieves continue to take what little is left and nothing will change.
And that IS the fact - nothing will change until Mugabe dies. And the only thing we know for sure about Mugabe is his ability to hang on. He is 84 now and one would hope he is on his last legs (I have often read stories written about his ill health, but they have, as always, turned out to be mere wishful thinking) - this guy will be here till he is 90 something - at least a further 10 years. I wonder how much more wealth will be stripped away by his corrupt "officials"? I wonder how many more Zimbabweans will die of hunger, disease and the violence unleashed by his militias?
And what will be done about it?
NOTHING!
It is time for a different approach. I am often asked why no one has assassinated Mugabe yet - well, it would takes certain tools and equipment to achieve a surgical strike to remove him - but those tools are relatively impossible to come by. We also do not possess that fanatical sense where a suicide attack could be considered. The sad thing though, is that with Mugabe removed, hiw policy of "divide and rule" policy will cause ZANU-pf to implode and allow the MDC to take over. So, remove Mugabe, and the problem will go, the JOC will have no one to support and they will fight amongst themselves as to who will take Mugabe's place and will render themselves impotent in the process.
There is a way to do this job, but no one will consider it because violence against Mugabe cannot be condoned. It's ok to condone it against helpless men, women and children though!
I wonder if the world has reached such a state of madness that they can only consider "diplomacy" against someone who couldn't give a continental about what they say and who does not feel any form of "diplomatic pressure"?
I guess at the end of the day, we shall have to wait and see how much Zimbabweans can take before they openly confront soldiers and police in the streets and a bloodbath ensues. Mind you, I always marvel at the amount of fear Mugabe and ZANU-pf have instilled in the people, otherwise they would already be confronting off duty personnel and it would be too dangerous for service personal to be anywhere other than where they are in force! But I foresee even darker days ahead for my suffering country. As I keep telling everyone, "it will get MUCH worse before it gets better" and they say well it cannot get any worse. Every time someone says that, it gets worse.
I think it is time to start lobbying to have the world cup football removed from South Africa and for other forms of sanction on the entire regional grouping.. but these are all slow long term measures which are unlikely to change anything for the people who are suffering and dying every day.
And I think that any suggestion of a "deal" for Mugabe and his followers should now be put permanently away. When things finally do change, these murderers MUST be pursued to the ends of the earth in the same way the Nazi's were. And they should be brought to justice and their ill gotten wealth MUST be recovered for the state coffers from whence it came. The people of Zimbabwe need to be empowered again and that can only happen when Mugabe and ZANU-pf finally get removed. And the net must be cast wide to include any persons who have acted corruptly as this all helps the bad guys stay in control. Anyone who supports or props up the regime which has killed so many of it's own people must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Later.
Tuesday 11 November 2008
When is it time for war?
Like many Zimbabweans, I followed the latest non-developments with disgust. I suppose that whilst we have all known for some time now that Mugabe has no intention of sharing anything, I think we all hoped that his rule would be finally brought to an end now. Instead, the toothless gathering of corrupt African governments have basically endorsed Mugabe's theft of the entire nation by their inability to stand up to him. Sadly this malaise is international and ordinary people must wonder about the forces that control events. We have to ask why the developed nations continue to provide aid and support to the begging bowls of Africa, instead of holding it back until Africans learnt to behave with some integrity at least. But then, I suppose, we are asking that question of a morally bankrupt world. Still, the world, being driven by money and everyone feeling the pinch right now, should be taking a view on Zimbabwe - why on earth should the rest of the world be paying anyone in Southern Africa anything in any kind of development aid or support? Southern African nations will not put pressure on to rid Zimbabwe of a man who is not elected, a man who is basically a thief and a murderer and a man who is bankrupting an economically solid country for his benefit and the benefit of those around him, through the much vaunted "patronage" system (here read "looking after a band of brigands and cut throats to make sure they keep Mugabe in power").
The net result is that Zimbabwe will end up costing the rest of the world a vast sum of money to try and rebuild a viable nation when, if the correct pressure had been applied, it would instead be contributing to the region as a whole and taking the pressure off the world's purse.
The logic defies explanation!
And when is it time to say that "diplomacy" is simply not working, a military solution is needed? That famous cop out when the international community, particularly the labour government in the UK, rings out repeatedly and loudly - "this is a Zimbabwean problem and Zimbabweans must resolve it". Erm... how exactly does that work then? Do we expect that the beaten, starving and dispossessed people of Zimbabwe will rise up against the AK 47 and armoured vehicles? Perhaps they will be able to knock down the fighter jets with catapults?
And even if we are speaking "diplomatically".. how are Zimbabweans going to solve the problem? No matter how Zimbabweans vote, Mugabe wins. As he has done now - so Zimbabweans go to the regional bodies for help and they support Mugabe? So what next?
I challenge ANYONE in the international community to explain that statement to me.
I have also often read in forums and comments on news sites the view of many of the retarded people in the world who say that the international community should just disengage completely and let Africans get on with killing one another.. Convenient, but wasn't it the various colonial administrations that created large tracts of the problem?
So what now? Diplomacy is not going to work - so many months since the most irregular and flawed election in the world and still no progress, other than what Mugabe wanted in the first place - so despite the fact that Zimbabweans voted him out of power, he is still in charge and calling the shots... and diplomacy is not helping.
In the meantime, Mugabe and his cohorts continue to rape the country of everything of value. They steal from the aid agencies (although when this "irregularity" was going to impede the flow of even more money.. it was suddenly returned). The aid agencies continue to send money into the country for "humanitarian reasons" and this money is mis-appropriated to Mugabe's use. Mugabe and his followers are into diamonds, gold and anything they can get their crooked fingers on.
Add to this that they are in fact ILLEGAL and then the populace must turn to the police for help.. but the grand commissioner general is firmly part of the problem and the police force has been turned into a party militia.. so now what?
As a police officer myself, and a real policeman, not a zanu-pf militia man, I feel that it is my duty to arrest all of these people - but how do I go about it? Essentially I am dealing with criminal cartel protected by armed men, so how much force should I use to achieve these arrests? In terms of both Zimbabwean and international law, these are wanted people and they need to be brought to book. How do I go about that?
Additionally, in terms of Zimbabwean law and police procedure, deadly force may be used when:
a. Lives are at risk from criminals
b. A criminal attempts to disarm an officer
c. A criminal attempts to relieve an officer of prisoners
(there are more reasons, some quite complex, governing the use of deadly force, however these are the main and most pertinent)
In terms of the use of deadly force and in line with the precept of "minimum force", deadly force should be used as a threat (if possible and practical - i.e. warning shots), if that is not effective or possible attempts should be made to effect the arrest by injuring, maiming or otherwise incapacitating the accused. As a last resort, however, the accused may be killed, if killing is lawful under the circumstances.
Now, if we read and understand all that, and we accept that Mugabe and, particularly, the members of the so-called "JOC" (Joint Operations Command) are, in fact, criminals. So they should be arrested and brought before a court for trial. How does one arrest these individuals who are protected by well armed men?
It would seem that the minimum force required in this instance is armed conflict. Would this be justified? Well, all armed conflicts must be considered in terms of both human and financial cost.
How many lives would be lost in conflict? How many lives have been lost since Mugabe and his murderous regime have been in power? How many more will be lost for everyday he continues denying people access to health care?
In fiscal terms, how much money has Mugabe and his cohorts stolen? How much do they continue to steal? How much will it cost the country and its people for everyday he remains and wreaks further destruction on the economy? How much will it cost the region and the international community in aid and support? How much will armed intervention cost?
I think the answers are many and diverse, however, the facts are that people are dying every day and the financial cost is staggering. It needs to stop.
How do we stop it? I my mind it is quite clear, it is now time to remove the head from this snake. If they cannot be arrested (and I am not sure why - they are not legally the elected representatives of the people and therefore, not entitled to diplomatic immunity, so could easily be taken when they visit the UN or any of their other sanctions avoiding trips), then force must be considered, and there are many, many ways to neatly remove Mugabe and company without starting a full scale war. I personally have made representations to international security agencies with a view to getting equipment and minuscule funding to carry out the required operation. Sadly I merely received the pious reply that they "do not condone violence"! Not sure what they are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan then and, if this statement is true.. why are they condoning the violence of Mugabe and his followers?
I am hoping that a peaceful, diplomatic resolution will rapidly end this situation, but it seems unlikely. I admire and commend the MDC who are the legally elected representative of the people of Zimbabwe and I hope they continue to reject Mugabe's unworkable solutions. I also am ready, willing and able to take action against Mugabe if the right support is forthcoming.
Vain hope methinks - this stinking morass will continue ad infinitum because the African and International community still refer to him as "president" Mugabe and refuse to stand up to this little criminal.
Later.
The net result is that Zimbabwe will end up costing the rest of the world a vast sum of money to try and rebuild a viable nation when, if the correct pressure had been applied, it would instead be contributing to the region as a whole and taking the pressure off the world's purse.
The logic defies explanation!
And when is it time to say that "diplomacy" is simply not working, a military solution is needed? That famous cop out when the international community, particularly the labour government in the UK, rings out repeatedly and loudly - "this is a Zimbabwean problem and Zimbabweans must resolve it". Erm... how exactly does that work then? Do we expect that the beaten, starving and dispossessed people of Zimbabwe will rise up against the AK 47 and armoured vehicles? Perhaps they will be able to knock down the fighter jets with catapults?
And even if we are speaking "diplomatically".. how are Zimbabweans going to solve the problem? No matter how Zimbabweans vote, Mugabe wins. As he has done now - so Zimbabweans go to the regional bodies for help and they support Mugabe? So what next?
I challenge ANYONE in the international community to explain that statement to me.
I have also often read in forums and comments on news sites the view of many of the retarded people in the world who say that the international community should just disengage completely and let Africans get on with killing one another.. Convenient, but wasn't it the various colonial administrations that created large tracts of the problem?
So what now? Diplomacy is not going to work - so many months since the most irregular and flawed election in the world and still no progress, other than what Mugabe wanted in the first place - so despite the fact that Zimbabweans voted him out of power, he is still in charge and calling the shots... and diplomacy is not helping.
In the meantime, Mugabe and his cohorts continue to rape the country of everything of value. They steal from the aid agencies (although when this "irregularity" was going to impede the flow of even more money.. it was suddenly returned). The aid agencies continue to send money into the country for "humanitarian reasons" and this money is mis-appropriated to Mugabe's use. Mugabe and his followers are into diamonds, gold and anything they can get their crooked fingers on.
Add to this that they are in fact ILLEGAL and then the populace must turn to the police for help.. but the grand commissioner general is firmly part of the problem and the police force has been turned into a party militia.. so now what?
As a police officer myself, and a real policeman, not a zanu-pf militia man, I feel that it is my duty to arrest all of these people - but how do I go about it? Essentially I am dealing with criminal cartel protected by armed men, so how much force should I use to achieve these arrests? In terms of both Zimbabwean and international law, these are wanted people and they need to be brought to book. How do I go about that?
Additionally, in terms of Zimbabwean law and police procedure, deadly force may be used when:
a. Lives are at risk from criminals
b. A criminal attempts to disarm an officer
c. A criminal attempts to relieve an officer of prisoners
(there are more reasons, some quite complex, governing the use of deadly force, however these are the main and most pertinent)
In terms of the use of deadly force and in line with the precept of "minimum force", deadly force should be used as a threat (if possible and practical - i.e. warning shots), if that is not effective or possible attempts should be made to effect the arrest by injuring, maiming or otherwise incapacitating the accused. As a last resort, however, the accused may be killed, if killing is lawful under the circumstances.
Now, if we read and understand all that, and we accept that Mugabe and, particularly, the members of the so-called "JOC" (Joint Operations Command) are, in fact, criminals. So they should be arrested and brought before a court for trial. How does one arrest these individuals who are protected by well armed men?
It would seem that the minimum force required in this instance is armed conflict. Would this be justified? Well, all armed conflicts must be considered in terms of both human and financial cost.
How many lives would be lost in conflict? How many lives have been lost since Mugabe and his murderous regime have been in power? How many more will be lost for everyday he continues denying people access to health care?
In fiscal terms, how much money has Mugabe and his cohorts stolen? How much do they continue to steal? How much will it cost the country and its people for everyday he remains and wreaks further destruction on the economy? How much will it cost the region and the international community in aid and support? How much will armed intervention cost?
I think the answers are many and diverse, however, the facts are that people are dying every day and the financial cost is staggering. It needs to stop.
How do we stop it? I my mind it is quite clear, it is now time to remove the head from this snake. If they cannot be arrested (and I am not sure why - they are not legally the elected representatives of the people and therefore, not entitled to diplomatic immunity, so could easily be taken when they visit the UN or any of their other sanctions avoiding trips), then force must be considered, and there are many, many ways to neatly remove Mugabe and company without starting a full scale war. I personally have made representations to international security agencies with a view to getting equipment and minuscule funding to carry out the required operation. Sadly I merely received the pious reply that they "do not condone violence"! Not sure what they are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan then and, if this statement is true.. why are they condoning the violence of Mugabe and his followers?
I am hoping that a peaceful, diplomatic resolution will rapidly end this situation, but it seems unlikely. I admire and commend the MDC who are the legally elected representative of the people of Zimbabwe and I hope they continue to reject Mugabe's unworkable solutions. I also am ready, willing and able to take action against Mugabe if the right support is forthcoming.
Vain hope methinks - this stinking morass will continue ad infinitum because the African and International community still refer to him as "president" Mugabe and refuse to stand up to this little criminal.
Later.
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