Dear Editor
Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Minister, Bernard Membe’s claim that Zanu PF could easily extend its rule by a century unless they work to have sanctions imposed by the West removed is baffling, and betrays him and SADC as Zanu PF apologists.
Wind back to March 2008, Zanu PF lost to the MDC in local government, parliamentary and presidential elections.
At that time there were more people on the restrictive travel ban lists of the countries and bodies that are using those measures as an incentive for democracy. The March 2008 results are a testimony that if free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe, Zanu PF will not win.
Probably Membe’s statement was a warning to the people of Zimbabwe that Zanu PF will continue to improve their election rigging strategy and should not expect any other party to win elections until the current crop of Zanu PF supporters and officials are all gone.
For Membe to think that Zimbabweans vote for Zanu PF because the West is refusing to remove travel restrictions against a few senior Zanu PF officials is paranoid. Perhaps it was out of sheer ignorance, or it was a deliberate attempt to avoid addressing the truth that Zanu PF rigged the election.
It was an attempt to cover up Zanu PF rigging.
I, for one, felt offended by Membe’s remarks, and I am glad MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai says he is taking the SADC report and all associated statements to the SADC Chairperson. You have my support all the way, Comrade MDC President. Aluta continua!
Daniel Berejena, Gweru
