The office of the Movement for Democratic Change-MDC Office in South Africa has petitioned Southern Africa Development Community (SADC ) Chairman President Levy Mwanawasa to act with impulsion so as to enable democratic change prevails in Zimbabwe.
MDC South Africa Chairman, Malcom Mutandiro who led a six-man delegation to present the petition yesterday through the Zambia High Commission Chancery in Pretoria said the MDC in conjunction with civil societies, Xenophobia victims, political and economic refugees in South Africa are frustrated and have lost confidence in South African President Thabo Mbeki’s mediation efforts in as far as the situation in Zimbabwe is concerned.
In the petition, Mr. Mutandiro said the MDC office appreciates the efforts made by President Mwanawasa towards resolving the political problems being faced in Zimbabwe
The party however accused President Mbeki of playing double standards and taking partisan position in his role as mediator.
The petition titled ‘deterioration of political crisis in Zimbabwe was received by Mtotola Nyanga on behalf of Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula.
This is contained in a press statement to ZANIS by Zambia High Commission to South Africa Second Secretary in charge of Press, Phillip Chirwa.
Mr. Mutandiro alleged that since the elections of 2000, 2002. 2005 and the recent March 29, 2008 elections, President Mbeki has just been watching the rapid deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe with a blind eye and lack of interest.
The MDC South Africa Chairman pointed out that the people of Zimbabwe have not known peace and good governance for generations and that since the end of colonial rule the crisis of governance has reached a new level under a black regime.
“After the disputed elections of 2000 our regional body, SADC appointed President Mbeki as mediator. It is unfortunate that the continued deterioration of both political and economical situation in Zimbabwe seems to be going unabated whilst the so called mediator appears to condone the Mugabe regime’ intolerable behaviour through his actions and speeches he has made since this current crisis,” noted Mr. Mutandiro.
He cited President Mbeki’s statement that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe and his alleged lobbying for a government of national unity whilst a constitutional electoral process is pending as some of the disappointing statements.
He alleged President Mbeki has not made a statement on President Mugabe ‘s stand that he was not prepared to hand over power to the opposition.
He further pointed out that promises to both regional and international leaders have been made that the issue of Zimbabwe would be resolved within six months by President Mbeki but that it was now 8 years without any solution.
“President Mbeki might have his own personal views about President Morgan Tsvangirayi of which he is democratically entitled to but the fact of the matter is that he has no right whatsoever to determine the will of the people of Zimbabwe,” pointed out Mr. Mutandiro.
He noted that the period towards the Presidential runoff of 27th June has seen innocent Zimbabweans tortured, some killed, homes burnt and MDC President Tsvangirayi unlawfully arrested.
He pointed out that the MDC was not against a government of National Unity but wondered why there was no called for this type of government when Mr. Mugabe robbed the elections in 2000, 20002 and 2005.
He also wondered what the purpose of the election process enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution was if election results are not respected.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mutandiro said the liberation struggle was not about creation of a monarchy in Zimbabwe but that it was about freeing the majority from the oppression of the minority.
The MDC South Africa Chairman pointed out that every Zimbabwean participated in the liberation struggle in different role and that it is a shameful that a Black Nationalist clique is using its guerilla war credentials to lay claim as the sole and legitimate heir to political power in Zimbabwe.
Mr. Mutandiro said Mr. Mugabe was not in order to claim that he is the sole and legitimate heir to the political power and continuing holding the people of Zimbabwe at ransom.
He called upon the Mugabe regime to immediately stop acts of violence, killings, torture, rape abductions and arrest of MDC activists and leadership.
ZANIS/CBM/MK/ENDS