23 March, 2005 - 08:40

Zimbabwe makes me cry. So does Mbeki. So do the current state of Zim elections: taken from an upstart, internationally-based newspaper, The Zimbabwean...

Open letter to President Mbeki
BY WILF MBANGA
18 March 2005

His Excellency
The President of the Republic of South Africa
Hon Thabo Mbeki

Dear Sir

As a last-ditch attempt to save our country from another fraudulent election by the ruling Zanu (PF) we feel compelled to write to you expressing our alarm at your continued pronouncements concern-ing the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe.

We are horrified that, despite irrefutable evidence that Zimbabwe has not compli-ed with the SADC norms, you continue to make no condemnation of this state of affairs. In fact, you have actually bolstered the Mugabe regime by making positive utterances to the effect that the elections will be free and fair. There is absolutely no evidence that your statements have any basis in fact whatsoever.

We find it inconceivable that, with all the information-gathering resources at your command, you appear to be so ill-informed about the reality on the ground in Zimbabwe today. Zanu (PF) is starving the people, using food as a campaign tool. The militias, the army and the police are exercising a reign of terror throughout the nation. Campaigning by the opposi-tion has been hamstrung. Just because people are not being killed in large numbers in no way diminishes this reality.

You did express concern over the shambolic state of the voters� roll. How can the will of the people be determined under such conditions? Surely this alone, even if this is the only thing that concerns you, would be sufficient grounds to invalidate the poll.

Furthermore, it would appear that your strategy of quiet diplomacy � which has made you a laughing stock in the international diplomatic community � really means tacit approval of Mugabe�s policies and actions. The Zimbabwean government has stated publicly, through justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, that the SADC norms are �mere guidelines� and not legally binding. Clearly it has no intention of observing them.

On behalf of concerned Zimbabweans everywhere, and do not be mistaken Mr President � there are many of us � we appeal to you to face reality and act accordingly. And please do not be confused by the anti-west, anti-white rhetoric which has been to obscure the real issues at stake here. We are not puppets of Blair. This is not about race or colonialism. It is about respecting the will of the 12 million black people of Zimbabwe as expressed through the ballot box.

Wilf Mbanga, Editor.