I disagree on lifting sanctions for six months

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

It would be a huge blunder to suggest the lifting of targeted measures against Mugabe and his inner circle for six months under the pretext of election campaign in Western countries as suggested by Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Campaign Committee.

“The ZDVC pledges to approach authorities in those countries that have imposed travel restrictions on some members of Zanu-pf to relax those restrictions for a period of six months so that all parties can freely campaign in those countries,” ZDVC Committee said.

I totally disagree and dissociate myself from the offer of a the proposed six months ‘visa’ to Mugabe and his cronies to western countries in exchange for my right to vote. Not in my name, for God’s sake.

Allowing the tyrant a free rein to Western countries would be a big betrayal of the suffering some people have endured and are still going through because of Mugabe’s vindictiveness.

Mugabe should never be allowed to get into the West through the back door as he did into State House in 2009. There will be riots and civil unrest should he show-up under the disguise of political campaign when his cronies were disembowelling opponents in previous elections.

Had he been still alive, it would be like giving Adolf Hitler and his henchmen a six months tourist visa to Israel and all countries where there are descendants of Jews whom he persecuted.

Considering the fact that targeted sanctions and asset freezes were imposed on Mugabe, his wife and Zanu-pf inner circle for human rights abuses which are well documented, one would need to be out of their mind to suggest amnesty even for a minute.

Gukurahundi genocide, hundreds of people including white commercial farmers and their workers were murdered during the chaotic and racist farm seizures. Hundreds of people were massacred during military style operations at Marange’s and Chiadzwa diamond fields.

Yet more hundreds were murdered in cold blood by Mugabe’s loyalists prior to and after parliamentary and presidential elections in 2002 and 2008. Millions were displaced all over the world, only for Mugabe to place a condition for their right to vote as the lifting of targeted sanctions which have become his religion.

I would never support any government that grants Mugabe asylum for the grave damage he did and still doing to our country and its people and its economy despite agreeing to reform in 2008.

It is no secret that Mugabe has stashed millions abroad and owns properties at home and abroad, while Zimbabweans are starving and commerce and industry are operating below 50% capacity due to threats of firm seizures and Zesa blackouts since 2000.

Thousands of people have been criminalised by the Mugabe regime for campaigning for human rights, respect of the rule of law, democratic reforms and the levelling of the political playing field. Mugabe’s cronies have seized farms, mines and now their attention is on banks for no benefit to the ordinary person in Zimbabwe.

Any approaches to be made by the ZDVG for the lifting of targeted sanctions do not have my blessing because they would be a gross betrayal of the thousands of Zimbabweans who perished under Mugabe’s tyranny. My vote is my human right. I won’t allow Mugabe to cow people into submission.

Targeted sanctions are working on the right people contrary to propaganda and brainwashing measures by the Zanu-pf regime and some gullible scholars. I would urge for more targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his gang because of stalling on the GPA. It’s the only way he can be made to pay for causing so much suffering to innocent people because of his bloated ego.

Could Mugabe be using proceeds from the Marange blood diamonds to weave his way out of the targeted sanctions and asset freeze?

Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, [email protected]