MBEKI LINKED TO CHRIS HANI ASSASSINATION???

Presidency to study controversial documentary

CAPE TOWN – The presidency has declined to comment on reports that a documentary on the rise to power of President Thabo Mbeki contains a suggestion he had a hand in the 1993 assassination of SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani.
However, it would ask for a copy of the film so the matter could be studied, presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga said on Thursday.
The controversial documentary, titled “Unauthorised: Thabo Mbeki”, was screened to an audience of 200 invited guests at the Mail and Guardian’s Critical Thinking Forum in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion in which opinions were divided as to whether or not it was possible to defame a sitting president.
The suggestion in the 24-minute documentary, by a voice-over, that Mbeki had a hand in Hani’s assassination was the reason the SABC had not shown the film on television, the broadcaster’s content enterprise executive Mvuso Mbebe said at the event.
Lawyers had noted there were “serious issues” of defamation, and said the SABC editorial team had expressed reservations about the film and called for it not to be screened, Mbebe said.
Ratshitanga on Thursday told Sapa the presidency could not comment on the issue.
“These are reports based on people who have watched the documentary... Until we ourselves have watched it, we cannot make a comment,” he said.
For the same reason, Ratshitanga also declined to comment on whether it was possible the film defamed the president.
The presidency would “assess” the matter today, and request a copy of the film so it could be studied, he said. – Sapa.

LINK!!!!!!!

Last updated
19/07/2007 18:40:55

"THABO MBEKI S PROVERBIAL 'LONG ROPE'." BY THE REV M S HOVE

THABO MBEKI S PROVERBIAL "LONG ROPE."



Preliminary Remarks:

Im very sure many of you have noticed that I haven't written anything myself for some time.

Of course I have written a lot so far: "IS ROBERT MUGABE THE MASTER-ASSASSIN?", "THE RIGGING OF ZIM ELECTIONS", "WHY ZIMBABWEANS DO NOT REBEL", "THE THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES OF A FORMER ZANU_PF CADRE" ETC.

( PLEASE CLICK ON THE HEADINGS TO GET TO THE POSTINGS!)

So why have I not been writing of late?

The reasons are numerous:

1..... Too many things have been happening of late and Ive been busy creating links from my own blogs to articles of interest relevant to our tragic Zim Situation.

2.....I've written a lot before and I've not been getting any challenges and any person can testify that it is very much depressing to talk for months in a room full of people but without any responses whether of agreement or of contradiction. I'm encouraged, though, by the numbers of visitors that come to my site many of them having been led by other bloggers etc from their various sites.
Then

3..... I didn't think I would really have to write about The Hon Thabo Mbeki hoping that he would quickly move away from his dubious so-called "Quiet Diplomacy" and therefore rendering my intended writings irrelevant or, as they say, "overtaken by events."
Now that the "Quiet Diplomacy" seems to "rage on" more vigorously, I can proceed to put pen down to paper.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS "QUIET DIPLOMACY" ALL ABOUT???

I'm sure we are aware that there should be and definitely exists a form of brotherhood within the Revolutionary Movements that have successfully unshackled their peoples from the yoke of racism and settler colonialism.

This brotherhood should be extending not only through the length and breadth of Africa but should extend to the so-called Diaspora where the black man has been getting various "raw deals" eg Jamaica , The United States of America etc.

The liberation movements of the then Rhodesia benefited from the already liberated "zones" like Zambia , Tanzania , Ghana etc. The ZANLA and ZIPRA forces owe a lot to the leaderships of the OAU and the FRONTLINE STATES.

So when Mugabe came into power in Zimbabwe , he immediately joined the FRONTLINE STATES which added their weight to the need for the liberation of South West Africa and South Africa itself.

Without doubt Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe was not found wanting in this regard!

He would announce how much he was contributing from his own salary towards funds that would assist in the AZANIAN AND NAMIBIAN cause.

It would impossible for me to enumerate how saboteurs from the then racist South Africa did various acts to destabilize the newly independent State of Zimbabwe. So without doubt the South Africans and the Namibians owe a lot to Cde Mugabe and Zimbabwe (among other countries).

BUT LETS TAKE A CORNER NOW:

It did not escape the South Africans that Cde Robert Mugabe was rather autocratic and had a somewhat "rough side" to his style of management.

As usual, one does not concentrate on the faults of his neighbour , more so his senior.

Who didn't know that "The Ngwazi" Dr Kamuzu Banda openly boasted that threw his real or perceived "enemies" into the crocodile infested rivers?

Who didn't know that the late Malawian strongman used to send "hit squads" into Eastern Zambia to kidnap and even assassinate his "opponents."

What did Kaunda say about that?

What did anyone say about "The Ngwazi"?

We don't need to ask about Cde Mugabe because Mugabe always disappointed us by going to Malawi and spending far more days on "State Visits" than he spent even in Mozambique where he had received real physical, spiritual and material refuge to the ZANLA Liberation Fighters.

I will not dwell on the real strange admiration that Cde Mugabe had of the despicably evil so called "NGWAZI."

What I'm trying to highlight is the lack of words to at least condemn a fellow President when he de-humanizes his own peoples.

The ANC and PAC know very well how Dr Joshua Nkomo was tormented and hounded in a new Zimbabwe that he had lived all his life struggling to liberate.

Even now they don't need to read books and publications about the "GUKURAHUNDI MASSACRES" of the early 80s. They were in Bulawayo when it all happened.

Moreso, the Ndebeles who suffered more are really descendants of the Zulus who ran away under Lobengula from another war-monger Tshaka in the 19th Century.

The Xhosas (who are relatives of Cde Nelson Mandela and Cde Thabo Mbeki) are also of a significant number in the area affected by "GUKURAHUNDI".

These Xhosas came as servants of the white man during the period of the PIONEER COLUMN and other later expeditions.

I'm trying to highlight that Zimbabwe , to the South Africans , is not a country that is far removed like, say, Somalia , the DRC, or Ethiopia .

Zimbabwe is really like an extension of South Africa .

So where is the problem?

Does South Africa lack compassion about what's happening just across the river? But surely even the Limpopo crocodiles have been heard saying "Thank God for the Zim crisis and thank God more for President Mbeki's Quiet Diplomacy!"

Does Mbeki not know the magnitude of the problem?

Lets go slowly over this one!

There is no doubt that Mugabe had great joy to see Namibia and subsequently South Africa/Azania getting their Independence .

The very serious problem that emerged was when Cde Nelson Mandela's "glory" overshadowed that of Cde Robert Mugabe. No serious Political Analyst should ever under-estimate this issue.

Mugabe is a very sensitive person who does not forgive any-one who even attempts (obviously through no fault of his) to get a greater standing ovation than his.

THAT IS ROBERT MUGABE'S REAL "FAULT LINE!!!"

Everything else we can describe eg assassinations etc come from that fault-line! Its nothing he can do about it himself especially at this late stage in his life. Only lessons we must learn for the future.

In Zimbabwe itself, no politician can get more attention than him. All who speak must refer to him and say they have been sent to convey whatever "goodies" etc that they will be donating even personally! At major events eg at National Funerals only Cde Mugabe will speak! Mugabe is the BE ALL in ZANU-PF and in ZIMBABWE !

And he stupidly enjoys that situation!

All the intellectuals eg Cde Nathan Shamuyarira have been reduced to making small statements mainly "rubber-stamping" decisions that will have been really made by one man, ROBERT MUGABE!

Remember that Dr Shamuyarira left Government around 1998 saying he would concentrate on writing a book about Robert Mugabe. But he also said he wasn't happy about the welfare of the people as early as at that time. But the trillion dollar question (Zim dollars, of course) is where is the book 9 nine years down the line?

Ladies and Gentlemen we are dealing with a demagogue who has literally "urinated' into the very revolution that we were supposed to be very proud of! Everyone is not of any value except Cde Mugabe himself! He gives value to people and withdraws it when he feels like!

The very people that set him up where he is at the moment and who unwillingly prop him up at that elevated position have no power to remove him! Those that tried died in mysterious car accidents or are alive…YES… but completely "immobilized."

Now Thabo Mbeki knows all this and is one of the most intelligent people in South Africa . Cde Thabo Mbeki sits in front of a Computer and not only "surfs" the Internet but he also writes letters himself personally which are posted to the ANC WEBSITE and I get a copy in my "IN-BOX" every Friday afternoon without fail!

Again, my question is: WHAT WENT WRONG BETWEEN THE ZIM STRONGMAN AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICIANS?

When the late dictator Laurent Kabila of the DRC requested assistance in the mid-90s, Mugabe asked Cde Nelson Mandela if he could also contribute troops but Cde Nelson Mandela declined. I will not try and analyse why Mandela could not commit himself but knowing Mugabe as we do, that was completely unforgivable.

Mugabe weeps inside and blood oozes from his heart to other internal organs and he gets really depressed when "snubbed."

When the revered Nobel Prize winner the Archbishop Desmond Tutu asked Mugabe to please release those jailed mercenaries, Mugabe treated him as a Primary School Headmaster would treat a very naughty school boy.

During the farm invasions of 2000 onwards, the South African envoy, the High Commissioner himself was nearly killed when the violent war veterans mistook him for some MDC official at a farm to the north of CHINHOYI.

During the 2002 Elections, South African Observer Mission members were severely assaulted when ZANU-PF thugs mistook them for MDC Officials since they were having some meetings with MDC Officials.

LINK!!!!!!

So to tell everyone the truth, there is nothing that CDe Thabo Mbeki doesn't know about the Zim story!

In fact, he himself once languished in Mugabe's jail and may write a book about that after Mugabe's departure from Office or expiry (whichever comes first.)

SO AS CDE WILF MBANGA ONCE ASKED, "WHY MBEKI?????"


Here are my own humble views:

Cde Mbeki just wants Mugabe to have the longest rope possible and let the world watch how the fool will use it!
Cde Mbeki does not want to have any of Mugabe's blood on his hands.

Mugabe must have the luxury and privileged of hanging himself.

But above all, Mbeki is a very seasoned intellectual.

He must know that a nation gets the best out of their situation if they liberate themselves with their own hands!

A baby is healthiest if he gets out the womb on his own!

A little chick will not survive if you break open the egg shell for it!

The little chick must use its own "muscles" to force that shell open!

The Zimbos must liberate themselves!

BUT MORE FRIGHTENING OBSERVATIONS:

MBEKI'S INCLINATIONS TOWARDS THE "MUGABE STYLES!"

Prevent the Zulus from getting into power! (Mugabe style!)

Suppress the Inquiries about the Assassination of Cde Chris Hani! (Mugabe style!)

So fellow Zimbos .....there we are!

WE ARE ALL ON OUR OWN!

MAY THE GOOD LORD ABOVE HAVE MERCY ON OUR SOULS!

(ASK ME....MY REPLY: "THE WORLD MUST ARM OUR YOUTHS TO OUST THAT DERANGED, MISGUIDED DEMAGOGUE! ONLY A BULLET WILL REMOVE THAT UNREFORMED TERRORIST! WE NEVER GOT DEMOCRACY! THERE WAS MORE DEMOCRACY FOR THE BLACK MAN UNDER IAN SMITH ALTHOUGH IT WAS LIMITED AND RESTRICTED!)

REV MUFARO STIG HOVE!

Cell: 0791463039 RSA

mufarostig@yahoo.co.uk

SOUTH AFRICA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITS COLLUSION WITH MUGABE!!!

South Africa: For Our Collusion With Mugabe Black SA Should Feel Ashamed


LINK!!!!!
Business Day (Johannesburg)

OPINION
12 July 2007
Posted to the web 12 July 2007

Xolela Mangcu
Johannesburg

"IF WE are incapable of being ashamed of our country, we do not love it. It is a shame that can be valuably mobilised," renowned scholar of nationalism Benedict Anderson said during an address at Wits last year.

I have often locked horns with many white South Africans over their lack of shame about apartheid. This lack of shame has often turned into outright denial of how apartheid gave them a cruel and unfair advantage over black people. I suppose their unspoken logic is that any expression of shame would lead to a pronouncement of guilt, which would in turn to lead to punishment.


But as Anderson puts it, there is something intrinsically redemptive about shame - without extending into guilt and punishment.

In the same way that I have been astonished by this lack of shame in white society, I cannot see how black people cannot be ashamed by our complicity in the Zimbabwean tragedy.

I will leave criticism of "quiet diplomacy" to foreign policy experts. I am talking about something much more basic and simple than such sophisticated concepts. I am simply asking whether we can feel proud about our South African identity and our values given our own collusion in what has happened in Zimbabwe.

Collusion may seem like a strong word. After all, our country did not send troops to put down the people of Zimbabwe. But I would argue that we provided this monstrous dictator with psychological aid and comfort. Our leaders and intellectuals swallowed President Robert Mugabe's lie that Zimbabwe's problems were a creation of the western world. We gave him standing ovations and received him with thunderous applause whenever he came here. We put down his critics as agents of the west or sellouts or coconuts of one type or the other.

We argued for noninterference as articulately as our former oppressors did during those long dark decades of apartheid. We did and said all of these things even as we witnessed the destruction on our television screens. The idea of a country in which the government has to arrest shop-owners for increasing prices to stay in business is truly absurd.

Reasonable people have been asking how it is that a whole society can stand by while their ruler does as he wishes with the whole country. In many ways that is a question for the people of Zimbabwe to answer. The question for South Africans to answer is how could we have given psychological aid and comfort to the agents of this tragedy. Personally, I was sickened by the whole thing, and our participation in it. I always felt we had squandered our moral authority in defence of an irredeemable monster.

I suppose part of the reason I write is to simply record my own reactions to history. And when it comes to Zimbabwe it is a history of which I am utterly ashamed.

In the final analysis my expression of shame about our support for Mugabe also has something to do with our political future. I fear that in our support for Mugabe we demonstrated that we lost the basic value of ubuntu that was supposed to underpin our political democracy. If we can show such callousness towards the people of Zimbabwe, what would stop us from such callousness to our neighbours here at home?

After all, world history is littered with examples of neighbours turning on each other in the name of ethnic and racial nationalism, mainly at the instigation of thugs and gangsters lodged deep within the state. For example, there is still more we need to know more about the genocidal campaigns that Mugabe is said to have unleashed on the people of Matabeleland in the 1980s.

In the final analysis, Mugabe's terror raises lessons for SA about what happens when thugs take over the state, when its citizens become accomplices to the terror, and when politicians and intellectuals become the chief theoreticians of that terror. We have the responsibility to do some soul-searching about our own role in this sordid and tragic affair, if only to prevent it from happening here any time in the future.

Relevant Links

Southern Africa
South Africa
Zimbabwe



Our first instinct may be to deny any such complicity, and say there is nothing we could have done. But did we really have to applaud this murderous dictator? What does that say about us and our own cultural and political values? How did we become cheerleaders in an unseemly celebration of mass murder and gangsterism?

The answer must begin with a sense of shame, but then shame presupposes an articulation of preexisting values. I still look forward to the day when all this racial nationalism is no longer with us, and we can speak openly about the values we hold in common.

Mangcu is executive chairman of the Platform for Public Deliberation, and a visiting scholar at the Public Intellectual Life Project at the University of the Witwatersrand.

SOUTH AFRICA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITS COLLUSION WITH MUGABE!!!

South Africa: For Our Collusion With Mugabe Black SA Should Feel Ashamed


LINK!!!!!
Business Day (Johannesburg)

OPINION
12 July 2007
Posted to the web 12 July 2007

Xolela Mangcu
Johannesburg

"IF WE are incapable of being ashamed of our country, we do not love it. It is a shame that can be valuably mobilised," renowned scholar of nationalism Benedict Anderson said during an address at Wits last year.

I have often locked horns with many white South Africans over their lack of shame about apartheid. This lack of shame has often turned into outright denial of how apartheid gave them a cruel and unfair advantage over black people. I suppose their unspoken logic is that any expression of shame would lead to a pronouncement of guilt, which would in turn to lead to punishment.


But as Anderson puts it, there is something intrinsically redemptive about shame - without extending into guilt and punishment.

In the same way that I have been astonished by this lack of shame in white society, I cannot see how black people cannot be ashamed by our complicity in the Zimbabwean tragedy.

I will leave criticism of "quiet diplomacy" to foreign policy experts. I am talking about something much more basic and simple than such sophisticated concepts. I am simply asking whether we can feel proud about our South African identity and our values given our own collusion in what has happened in Zimbabwe.

Collusion may seem like a strong word. After all, our country did not send troops to put down the people of Zimbabwe. But I would argue that we provided this monstrous dictator with psychological aid and comfort. Our leaders and intellectuals swallowed President Robert Mugabe's lie that Zimbabwe's problems were a creation of the western world. We gave him standing ovations and received him with thunderous applause whenever he came here. We put down his critics as agents of the west or sellouts or coconuts of one type or the other.

We argued for noninterference as articulately as our former oppressors did during those long dark decades of apartheid. We did and said all of these things even as we witnessed the destruction on our television screens. The idea of a country in which the government has to arrest shop-owners for increasing prices to stay in business is truly absurd.

Reasonable people have been asking how it is that a whole society can stand by while their ruler does as he wishes with the whole country. In many ways that is a question for the people of Zimbabwe to answer. The question for South Africans to answer is how could we have given psychological aid and comfort to the agents of this tragedy. Personally, I was sickened by the whole thing, and our participation in it. I always felt we had squandered our moral authority in defence of an irredeemable monster.

I suppose part of the reason I write is to simply record my own reactions to history. And when it comes to Zimbabwe it is a history of which I am utterly ashamed.

In the final analysis my expression of shame about our support for Mugabe also has something to do with our political future. I fear that in our support for Mugabe we demonstrated that we lost the basic value of ubuntu that was supposed to underpin our political democracy. If we can show such callousness towards the people of Zimbabwe, what would stop us from such callousness to our neighbours here at home?

After all, world history is littered with examples of neighbours turning on each other in the name of ethnic and racial nationalism, mainly at the instigation of thugs and gangsters lodged deep within the state. For example, there is still more we need to know more about the genocidal campaigns that Mugabe is said to have unleashed on the people of Matabeleland in the 1980s.

In the final analysis, Mugabe's terror raises lessons for SA about what happens when thugs take over the state, when its citizens become accomplices to the terror, and when politicians and intellectuals become the chief theoreticians of that terror. We have the responsibility to do some soul-searching about our own role in this sordid and tragic affair, if only to prevent it from happening here any time in the future.

Relevant Links

Southern Africa
South Africa
Zimbabwe



Our first instinct may be to deny any such complicity, and say there is nothing we could have done. But did we really have to applaud this murderous dictator? What does that say about us and our own cultural and political values? How did we become cheerleaders in an unseemly celebration of mass murder and gangsterism?

The answer must begin with a sense of shame, but then shame presupposes an articulation of preexisting values. I still look forward to the day when all this racial nationalism is no longer with us, and we can speak openly about the values we hold in common.

Mangcu is executive chairman of the Platform for Public Deliberation, and a visiting scholar at the Public Intellectual Life Project at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Mbeki's rehabilitation of Zanu PF!!!

LINK!!!!!

By Mthulisi Mathuthu

(READ MTHULISI'S PREVIOUS ARTICLES)
Last updated: 07/03/2007 19:27:42

PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki's image today is that of a centrist, intolerant and cold manager. So widely-held is the view that very nearly all his biographers and critics have identified traces of authoritarianism in his administrative style, so much so that it will be difficult to suspect a hatchet job.

 

His mistrust for the media, his refusal to open up to new ideas on how to go about tackling the Zimbabwean crisis and his persistence on his so-called 'quiet diplomacy' while the crisis deepens, have all conspired to lend credence to the sorry image.

 

As the talks between the Zimbabwean belligerents got underway recently, Mbeki's sorry image cast its shadow over the whole enterprise sending the signal that this could be yet another waste of time.

 

Instead of the whole enterprise becoming a collective, inclusive drive towards a better Zimbabwe with Mbeki leading the discourse, it has already diminished into a shadowy exercise exhibiting directly, his personal attitudes, moods, views and flaws.

To kick-start an exercise of such a magnitude and importance with an individual's character holding sway is to fail at the outset.

 

The reports last week that a media black-out had been imposed on the Zimbabwe talks were enlightening as they were disturbing. What this means is that Mbeki -- a person who relishes in working in the shadows and mistrusts journalists -- is not only playing a midwifery role but is already going to be the outcome himself.

 

To say the media blackout is meant to forestall a Zanu PF boycott is very difficult to fathom. This is a snake-oil attitude of Mbeki and his soul-mate Mugabe who over the years have demonstrated deep dislike for open criticism from the opposition and what they view as the 'liberal media'.

 

To want to muzzle the media in the middle of such an important story is a demonstration that while the idea to bring the parties together is modern, the tools and spirit employed to achieve this all belong to the earlier era.

 

Those who have spoken to diplomats will agree that it has always been Mbeki's view that what is obtaining in Zimbabwe requires no regime change but re-organisation. It is a revolution that slightly went off-track and the remedy would be to reform Zanu PF.

Sources speak of how Mbeki has lined up Zanu PF reformists such as Dr Ibbotson Day Mandaza as consultants on how to proceed on the issue.

 

To Mbeki, the likes of Welshman Ncube and Morgan Tsvangirai would do well to join Zanu PF. They are the rebels who should be readmitted and not politicians with a different world view seeking an electoral mandate to steer the ship through the un-navigated waterways.

The 1987 Unity Accord between PF Zapu and Zanu PF was enough and its only mistake was that it left out the young revolutionaries, Mbeki reasons. MDC was occasioned by the frustration of the young revolutionaries whose upward mobility was thwarted by the unyielding seniors.

 

So Mbeki's approach would be to convince Mugabe to create space for the new blood and prepare for the party's continuation after he has left. In achieving this, Mbeki would have killed two birds with one stone.

 

He would have beaten back the internal threats to the ANC and he would have secured his legacy and cancelled any feelings that his quiet diplomacy was a charade.

Mbeki, who wants to be known as intellectual is on a mission to secure his legacy as a man who stopped the neo-liberal push for the destruction of the liberation parties. He wants to renew their hold on the body-politic by merging the young radical blood and the old blood and set an example for the whole region.

 

He is not just in a laboratory to carry out a study, but is in the dark room to work out his alchemy -- mixing deadwood with new blood. So Zimbabwe is the right place to start because it has a ruling party that has refused to yield and has a strong opposition with a huge following.

 

From the outset, Mbeki's agenda is at variance with the aspirations of Zimbabweans as he seeks to preserve the revolutionary aspirations and to renew his own party back home while the Zimbabweans hope for a new dispensation free from the 'locust class' mentality of the post-liberation aristocracy.

 

That is why he should work in the shadows with no journalist reporting on his attempts to reform Zanu PF. If the CODESA talks that brought about a new South Africa were almost under the full glare of the media, why shouldn't journalists cover the Zimbabwean talks?

Another development of concern has been that right from the outset President Mbeki's personal miscalculations and confusion are proving to be determinant factors in the talks.

As is well-known it has always been his view that the Zimbabwean story is a racial drama and Mugabe who knows all too well that he is himself the problem long identified that stupidity on Mbeki's part and is exploiting it to the fullest.

 

That is why Zanu PF's submissions are coined in such a manner so as to strike a chord with Mbeki.

 

Just listen to the poppycock: The MDC must "drastically re-orientate its attitude towards national events", stop forthwith its "promotion of violence", commit itself to the "irreversibility of land reform", "respect the country's sovereignty and its national laws", call for the lifting of sanctions, and "stop calling for outside interference in Zimbabwe's domestic affairs".

For Mugabe to proceed in this manner is an indicator that he doesn't take Mbeki and his talks seriously. It is very difficult to imagine that Mugabe himself and some of his most daft ministers believe in their submissions to Mbeki but alas the South African President has embraced them.

 

That is why as Mbeki sets about his job, the incumbent in Harare will crank up the gears towards repression, seizing passports of the opposition leaders, haranguing journalists, passing new communication laws to limit free expression (in resonance with the media blanket over the talks).

 

So Mbeki will come to a stage where he will find out that what he did was nothing but to help up carry on with his agenda.

 

Mthulisi Mathuthu can be contacted on e-mail: thuthuma@yahoo.com

JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS

---

Yahoo! Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today.

MBEKI TO VISIT ZIM???

LINK!!!!!!!!!

Mbeki to visit Zimbabwe

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:54:00

 

Spiwe Ncube

 

HARARE – President Thabo Mbeki is expected to make an official visit to Zimbabwe "probably" in the third week of this month to convey South Africa's growing concern over the turmoil and to mobilize protagonists around his mediation in the long drawn out conflict in Zimbabwe.

Official sources said the visit had been planned for some time and will immediately come after the SADC heads of State meeting scheduled for Lusaka, Zambia in the second week of July. Sources denied the visit was a direct result of the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, South Africa's main trading partner.

 

Our source said the South African government is monitoring developments in Zimbabwe with alarm. There are fears that an economic collapse could lead to a worsening influx of refugees into South Africa.

 

Mbeki is also reported to have been privately angered by President Mugabe's handling of the crisis over land redistribution and its adverse impact on Africa's image internationally.

 

South Africa has studiously refrained from making any public comment on developments in Zimbabwe, opting instead for behind-the-scenes diplomacy in an attempt to prevent its troubled neighbour sliding into economic collapse and anarchy.

 

Nelson Mandela, the former president, was quoted saying "quiet diplomacy" was the best approach for South Africa. "In my experience, South Africa would be more effective if they dealt with the problem quietly," he reportedly said in response to questions. Jacob Zuma, Mbeki's heir apparent however made indirect criticism of Mugabe in a speech at an ANC meeting.

 

"Powerful leaders should not be allowed to intimidate democratically elected parliaments and should remain accountable to them," Zuma said to applause from delegates.

 

The opposition MDC has said it believed Mbeki's mediation this time around could bear fruit because he was carrying the SADC mandate. An opposition deputy said Mugabe was likely to repeal POSA and some sections of AIPPA. He was however unsure if they would be any change in terms of the environment. 

 

5 Stars - Excellent4 Stars - Good3 Stars - Average2 Stars - Fair1 Stars - Poor

Listen to Zimbabwe's Internet Radio Station - zim NET radio
Listen now - Windows Media Player - Broadband
Listen now - Windows Media Player - Dialup
Listen now - Winamp/Realplayer - Broadband
Listen now - Winamp/Realplayer - Dialup

 

21 Comments | Add Your Comment | Forums |

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. ZimDaily is not responsible for what they say. Please keep your comments short and sweet. Obscene, tribalistic, racist, vulgar comments will be deleted. Simple HTML is allowed for basic text editing.

MBEKI A NON-EVENT!!1

The sooner everyone realizes Mbeki is a non-event, the better for everyone! You and I who can even see this article must think of the suffering people in Zim! Anyone who dreams of a solution in the next year is a pathetic hypocrite! Zimbos are dying....being eaten by crocodiles in the Limpopo? SAKA KUSI KUFA NDOKUPI? ARM THE PEOPLE....PERIOD! M S Hove.... www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com mufarostig@yahoo.co.uk

Posted By ZIMFINALPUSH!!! , DIASPORA!!! : Jul 5 2007 06:44 AM

Mbeki supports Mugabe 100%

Mbeki will go to Zimbabwe and hold hands in solidarity with Mugabe. Why does the media always go on about Mbeki trying to shift Mugabe. He's not! Mbeki and Mugabe have a shared dream and that is to put their parties in power forever. South Africa will also nationalise in time. That has always been their objective. Why else would Mbeki use his government to promote Mugabe and shelter him on global platforms. What the people of Zimbabwe want doesn't mean a tin of s h i t to Mbeki or Mugabe. It's high time Zimbabweans woke up to this fact. It's all about power, not people.

Posted By Humba Mugabe , Highfields : Jul 5 2007 07:57 AM

ZUMA ZUMA ZUMAAA

What we need is a straight talking neighbor like J Zuma. This Mbeki guy is clueless about our situation.

Posted By cIO , Gushungoland : Jul 5 2007 08:11 AM

To Hell with Mbeki

When did he start mediating?? Long back, what was achieved?? zero, so this time you expect wonders from him, forget. We are wasting our time thinking that something will be done by this coackroach. Lets arise and arm ourselves rather than wait for a fellow human being time is no longer on our side

Posted By Kwiti , Chipinge, Zimbabwe : Jul 5 2007 08:12 AM

no title

MDC is very stupid Mbeki has been playing games with them for to long what talks ?Mbeki is Mugabe support full stop , he is fighting for Zanu pf survival not Mdc that is why the Ndebeles sold out the struggle , Tsvangirai open your eyes and stop being pused around like r dead wood , remember they r people in jails , and people dying .Mbeki is a non starter . i urge all zimbababweans to invade south africa in our millions and vote for Mr HIV Zuma in our thousand so that we can fix MBEKI.

Posted By KABABY , uk : Jul 5 2007 08:45 AM

Mbeki to hell Zuma is Boo

Both Mugabe and Mbeki waroyi, the only difference is Mbeki anoroya usiku (queit diplomacy) and yet Mugabe anoroya masikati zuva rakacheka nyika (Ops muramba tsvina, gukura hundi, Talent Mabika you can name Brig Gunda etc.) Why not Zuma in SA and Tsvangison in Zim. All those in the diaspora will came home.

Posted By Jo jo Zep , Parramatta, Sydney, Austrlia : Jul 5 2007 08:51 AM

MUSAVARWE Mbeki muroyi

MBEKI IS ACTUALLY BENEFITING AT EXPENSE OF SUFFERING ZIMBABWEAN CAUSE HE TOOK OVER ALL THE WHITE FARMERS AND GAVE THEM LAND, SO HE DONT WANT THE SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE TO IMPROVE, AS A WAY OF MATAINING A GOOD NAME

Posted By Baba VaTANAKA , UK : Jul 5 2007 09:14 AM

Mbeki uyu?????

Maonero angu Sekuru Mbeki havana kusiyana na sekuru Mugabe. Varikurwa vamire kuedza kuita third term as ANC president. Makambozviona kupi kuti President we ANC ndi Mbeki asi President wenyika ari someone else? Mbeki imhata. Hapana kana chinobuda apa. I have no trust for this Asshole called Mbeki. Mark my words. NOTHING WILL COME OUT OF THESE TALKS.

Posted By MUCHONI , JONI : Jul 5 2007 10:00 AM

Kedu Zuma Ndizvo Manje

Munoreva here uyuyu Great Son of Africa weku discover shower? The best answer to HIV edzi! Isu vamwe tinongotyira kuti vasikana vedu angavapedze vese. Mbuya vaRennie motambira kure kana Zuma vakamutuma kuHarare. Mungatorwe ndikabata pasi. Mbeki wants things to remian dead in Zim so that he continues to use our skilled labour yakatrainwa na va Mugabe.

Posted By Sekuru vaRennie , Jerusarema Idzva; Nyika yababa : Jul 5 2007 10:24 AM

All you fools do not know a bit About MBEKI

I have told you from time and time again Mbeki knows far much greater than all you lot that run away from your country in search of greener pastures . He knows Zim Politics better that street commentators like you . He knew Facts less the propaganda you are fed on . Mbeki knows the Problems in Zimbabwe are 50% solved if Zimbabwe and Britain are in good terms , Hence the SADC initiatives . He know 30% of Zimbabwe problems are solved if Sanctions and credit lines are lifted and restored respectively , hence the SADC/EU initiatives on Zimbabwe. He knows that The lat 20% of Zimbabwe,s problems for lasting solutions are solved for long term sustainability by a new reformed ZANU PF GVT less Mugabe and with a mix of opposition in influencial offices , hence the MDC/ZANU Talks end of story.Like it or not you have got to live with that fact my bruuu.

Posted By Kenneth Kurwa , Sofia : Jul 5 2007 10:32 AM

Kenneth Kurwa

Where the hell are you coming from you daughter of the deadly bitch lucifer, all the words you are utter are just rotten haaaaaaaa, bullshit mukanwa makafira dembo.

Posted By Kwiti , Chipinge, Zimbabwe : Jul 5 2007 10:40 AM

Let me Clarify to you ZUMA,s Words before you get too excited you fools

I have already seen a long list of those clammering ZUMA , ZUMA above yet no one even bothered to analyse what exactly ZUMA,s Words mean and to me his words are not a direct or indirect attack on Mugabe they are infact a direct attack on USA/BRITAIN and EU and thus his words are directly in tandem with Mugabe,s Theme . Here are Zuma,s Words . Jacob Zuma, Mbeki's heir apparent however made indirect criticism of Mugabe in a speech at an ANC meeting. "Powerful leaders should not be allowed to intimidate democratically elected parliaments and should remain accountable to them," Zuma said to applause from delegates. Since When has Robert Mugabe been hailed as a powerful Leader ? Has Robert ever Challenged a democratically Elected Parliament ? In other Words ZUMA is digging at the West / Britain its leaders for Challenging Democratically Elected Parliaments Which Only Robert Mugabe is Accountable to . Meaning The Western GVt must not interfere in the Internal Affairs of another Country that has got its on elected parliaments and the President being accountable only to that parliament. Kuenda Kuchikoro Kwakanaka hama dzangu ndapota .

Posted By Kenneth Kurwa , Sofia : Jul 5 2007 10:45 AM

Kenneth Kurwa

So according to you and certainly not Mbeki, the Zim problem is 50% Mugabe/British bad blood induced, 30% Sanctions induced and 20% Zanu owned. How scientific? So if we remove Zanu PF and Mugabe we will resolve 70% of our problems. If we ignore Makoni and a Reformed Zanu we will notch an 80% reversal of our misfortune and if we ignore Zanu and Mugabe's personal hatred of Britain we will be 50% better off than we are today. Fantastic. Now how do you expect people to vote for Makoni ahead of Britain's blue eyed boy Tsvangirai if your extrapolation is right of which it is not anywhere? Mbeki, Zuma ANC and Mugabe Makoni and Zanu PF are one and the same source of our problems. I can only see a changed attitude towards Zanu and Mugabe engrossing South Africa when a South African Trade Unionist leader matures to the level of our own Lucia Matibenga, Gibson Sibanda, Morgan Tsvangirai, Isaac Matongo and Thokozile Khupe. Before that I expect no sympathies to flow to MDC from ANC. will still resolve

Posted By Hatirebwi Nathan Masikati , : Jul 5 2007 11:24 AM

Hatirebwi Masikati you are appearing Clever than i thought..........

Firstly My deepest apologies for misquoting you and in the process tanishing your image. I am very Sorry for that . I have sent an apology soon after i realised i meant to say HUMBULANI. Now back to your Questions 1.Thank you for agreeing with my analysis of Zuma,s Statement which was getting our foolish readers on a roller coaster of praising ZUMA when infact he was not even talking about Mugabe . 2. It is No secret if you remove the Propaganda being chunned out by oppositions that indeed 50% of Zim Crisis is solvable if Britain and Zimbabwe are to get on talking terms . Many countries know that , UN , Knows it and all . I say Rhetoric from opposition because rightfully they should be seen to say its not true there are other issues because they are in opposition , end of story .MDc is doing their Best to opposses but When it comes to finding lasting solutions to the other problems , Propaganda is left on the door step and only clean hands are allowed .Therefore by getting Britain on talking terms with Mugabe it means the removal or retirement of Mugabe 50% of the Problems are solved and therefore credit lines , IMF and World Bank can now speak to Zimbabwe directly without any lobby from Britain and EU because they will be on our side and another 30% of the problem is solved . But these institutions require garantees that other factors of mismanagement , corruption etc are addressed and that the credit lines are utilised to the benefit of the Nation that is divided along party lines and therefore ZANU PF must change or must be seen to be changing and Simba Makoni comes in as the British/Western Favourate not Morgan as he is no longer their boy anymore . He made greater judgemental mistakes and knowing the British myself they do not forgive anyone that embarasses them they move on and now its going to be SIMBA MAKONI,s turn .Therefore with my statistics youhave got to be seen to tackle greater and easier solutions first and in this case it is now easier to remove Robert Mugabe , that will in turn leads to the lifting of sanctions , opening of credit lines and then reorganisation of Zimbabweans into a GVT of National Unity . Morgan though will not be forgotten , i can bet on that .Though i dislike him i will be the first guest in his Office to congradulate him , if i am still alive. I have noticed a cunny analysis in your response Hatirebwi . You thought my % were independent factors which you could play around like a puzzle trying to get the best fit . You nearly got me again but no these % are in a conceptual framework , one thing leading to the other .

Posted By Kenneth Kurwa , Sofia : Jul 5 2007 11:53 AM

Kenneth Kurwa

You have seen the light. Stastical political data is not always as accurateas you believe. The issue is you wont know for sure if Simba is a favoured politician to Tsvangirai until he is on the stage. You will only gauge his strngths properly when he is unleashed on the main political arena. That is why for now I would rather concentrate on the visible playes and not him. What you are seeing on the ground with MDC rallies s nothing compared to what will happen if police violence against him and his loyalist is taken out of the equation. Not even Matibili can pull the crowds Tsvangirai is pulling and with a tolerant political environment even the cowardly will flock to his rallies rather than the converse you postulate. MDC members are the bravest Zimbabweans I have seen in my life that started in the Federation

Posted By Hatirebwi Nathan Masikati , Murombedzi Zim : Jul 5 2007 12:22 PM

Hatirebwi Thank you for the Conclusions

Hatirebwi you have finally arrived at my conclusions . The Whole Election Monitoring Team for Africa is rejoicing as i write that you have even supported their findings. 1. It is true we agree that Morgan is puling large crowds and if the police does not intimidate the POVO there will be even larger crowds . That our Team has postulated . 2. The Crowds Robert Pulls is not expected to be greater that Morgan.s crowds as the people are expecting a new direction , knew announcements and Robert Cannot give that and hence people cannot Come in numbers greater than Morgan and our results confirm that. 3. Where we have a problem is the Launch of another ZANU PF Candidate the Likes Of Simba Makoni , Our initial results indicates Mayhem not Large Crodws . Our Initial results indicates greater affinity to Simba Makoni than to Morgan Therefore Though both will attract Larger Crowds earlier indications favour Larger Crodws for Simba based on the Criterio i mentioned to you on the electibility Scale .

Posted By Kenneth Kurwa , Sofia : Jul 5 2007 12:37 PM

Keneth Kurwa

ZUMA JACOB actually refered to Mugabe,its very clear. I, however salute you for being a genius for trying to explain away simple and straigtforward statements. typical of zanu pf spin doctors. PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS 1. Mugabe overuled several adverse reports of parliament on so many bills (now laws)eg POSA, AIPPA etc. Do you remeber how the late EDSON ZVOBGO fought and other zanu & OPPOSITION legislators fought AIPPA&POSA? MUGABE reacted by calling for acuacus meeting and whipped all zanu legiaslators into line. 2. REmember how Mugabe sent our troops to DRC without parliament approval? 3. remember Mugabe"s selective presidential powers? Yes is a poweful PRESIDENT NOT ACCUONTABLE TO AN ELECTED PARLIAMENT. ZUMA AND ALL FAIR MINDED SADC citizerns are very much aware of this.

Posted By SAUNYAMA MHETA , HARARE, ZIMBABWE : Jul 5 2007 01:01 PM

ZUMA,s Statement is Clear for all to see SAUNYAMA , it did not Escape Kenneth

Did you ever think what Presidential powers are ? do you know that it is his right according to the Law to overule Parliament ? What if i tell you that George Bush did overule the Senate,s recommendations not to increase the iraq budget ? What if i tell you that Even though the British Parliament was clearly divided on the War in Iraq Britain through Tony Blair himself and alone with little parliamentary Support Went to War .That is WHY GORDON BROWN has STARTED by SAYING he WILL RETURN POWER to the PARLIAMENT and NEVER AGAIN will BRITAIN go to WAR without Parliament approval. Therefore its not Spin Muface its simple analysis , ZUMA never meant Robert Mugabe end of story , no matter how you yourself can try to spin it . Analyse the statement as it is my BRUU. Since When has Robert Mugabe been addressed as Powerful Leader in the First Place ? Start from there and then move foward .

Posted By kenneth Kurwa , Sofia : Jul 5 2007 01:18 PM

Kenneth the LONE fighter

I stayed for a longtime with a brother called Kenneth. For convinience sake can you change your name to:- Tambu, Chenhamo, or if you prefer K as your first letter Kamhiripiri those tome sound more faminine than Kenneth.

Posted By John Motsi , Toronto Canada : Jul 5 2007 01:20 PM

Kenneth Kurwa

The anticipated launch you talk of is in its infancy if you ask me. Wait until Matibili makes his move on the initiators of that innovation and see if it will survive. That will be popularity and resolve test No 1 for him. Second if only you knew the relationship between Tsvangirai/ Manyonda/ Makoni you would not be postulating what you are saying. It is Tsvangirai who is better placed to accommodate Makoni rather than the converse that you postulate. Ever wondered why Mujuru is trying to court Tsvangirai at this juncture? He knows who is who between Tsvangirai and Makoni. Mujuru and Makoni cannot torpedo Mugabe alone as they do not have enough Parliamentary support nor structured grassroots support in Zanu. Matibili has the structures firmly under his control. Tsvangirai has both grassroots support and parliamentary clout ad his main problem is State scripted violence. Remove that and his credibility soars to heights hitherto unimagined. That is what Mujuru wants. He does not trust Tsvangirai and he knows the converse is true. That's why he has scouted for a relative of Tsvangirai to put forward as his Zanu PF ambitions proxy and Makoni fits the bill well. After dealing No 18 Amendment blow a fatal blow with Tsvangirai's envisaged Parliamentary support he will ditch Makoni for his wife for Presidency. Tsvangirai is not oblivious of this and might just use the opportunity to further gain mileage and negotiate Makoni's accommodation in MDC thereby putting paid to Makoni's representation of Zanu. Conversely Tsvangirai can simply refuse to go along with the Simba Makoni/Mujuru proposal and that will close the Parliamentary coup leaving the Zanu Congress the only avenue to follow. Now you know as well as I do what will happen at the Zanu Congress. Manyika/Kasukuwere/Muchinguri and all provincial Chairmen will nominate Mugabe. Period.

Posted By Hatirebwi Nathan Masikati , Murombedzi Zim : Jul 5 2007 01:27 PM

TIRED

We are tired of reading about the so called bitch`s statements-Kenneth Kurwa, Mr Editor if you can do us a favour of deleting all her efforts. she is useless

Posted By Kwiti , Chipinge Zimbabwe : Jul 5 2007 02:31 PM

21 Comments | Add Your Comment | Forums |

 

 

---

To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre.