From The Times
April 4, 2008
Zimbabwe: the backlash begins as paramilitaries launch raids
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Catherine Philp and Jan Raath in Harare
The ebbing regime of Robert Mugabe began its fightback in earnest last night, launching raids against opposition offices and foreign journalists in what many feared was the start of a campaign of intimidation.
Paramilitary police raided opposition offices at a hotel in central Harare, ransacking rooms as riot police moved in to arrest foreign journalists at a guest house in the capital.
George Sibotshiwe, spokesman of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said that the party’s headquarters in the centre of Harare and offices in Meikles hotel in the capital had been raided. “They took nothing. They simply ransacked the place,” he said.
As many as four journalists were arrested, including a reporter from the New York Times, in a separate raid on Harare’s York Lodge hotel, where many correspondents were staying.
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The moves, described by opposition leaders as the beginnings of a “crackdown”, came after a day in which the besieged octogenarian leader appeared in public for the first time since the polls in which he was defeated by his challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai. Mr Mugabe was shown on state television yesterday meeting African Union election observers — his first public appearance since the close of polls.
Ruling party officials subsequently announced that he would hold a critical politburo meeting today to plot his next move. State media, the ruling Zanu (PF) party and even — according to some — the President himself have conceded that he lost the race to Mr Tsvangirai, but maintain that the challenger failed to secure an absolute majority.
But the Government insisted that Mr Mugabe was in no mood for surrender and was gearing up to fight on. Fears that the embattled leader may yet resort to violence peaked as news of the raids seeped out last night to Harare’s diplomatic community.
Earlier in the day a senior government spokesman said that the party was preparing to invoke “energy” that it had not tapped during the previous election. “Zanu (PF) is ready for a run-off, we are ready for a resulting victory,” Bright Matonga, the Deputy Information Minister, said.
“In terms of strategy, we only applied 25 per cent of our energy into this campaign,” he added, but the run-off would be different. “That is when we are going to unleash the other 75 per cent that we did not apply in the first case.”Unconfirmed reports were circulating among the diplomatic community about an alleged government plot to extend the three-week run-up to the second round to three months, and to use the time to shut down the provisions in the election law designed to thwart poll-rigging.
Key among them is the precedent of publicly posting each polling station’s results on its walls — a move that allowed the MDC, as well as independent observers, to collate the figures and release them in a preemptive strike against poll-fixing.
But well-placed sources were adamant that any such attempts to manipulate the process would fail, even if they were unprepared to rule out some last desperate, and possibly violent, attempt to cling to power.
“Mugabe is a villain of the first order,” one source told The Times. “He is desperate to stay in power and the sting may be in the tail.”
Zimbabwe’s African neighbours are the only countries with any significant influence over Mr Mugabe’s regime but they have thus far failed to intervene in any significant way. Yesterday’s television appearance came after Mr Mugabe met an African election observer team led by Ahmad Tejah Kabbah, the former Sierra Leonean President. Mr Kabbah has also met Mr Tsvangirai, who claims victory in the election with 50.3 per cent of the vote, but who had vowed to contest a run-off if official election results award him less than 50 per cent.
Rumours have swirled around Harare in the six days since the election, amid the absence of information. Zimbabweans, drained by the fatigue of economic collapse, have displayed epic patience in their wait for an outcome. The slow drip-drip of parliamentary results has held people’s focus as they listen to radios, keeping their own running tallies of the score.
But yesterday the information vacuum yawned open again. The long-delayed partial results for the Senate, parliament’s upper chamber, began to start trickling out only last night. The delay, blamed on logistical problems, again heightened fears of manipulation. Since the presidential tally will be released only when the full Senate count is completed, Zimbabweans suspect a government plot to buy time.
“We will stay patient because we must,” said Blessing, a street vendor in the Harare slums of Mbare. “But it is frustrating.” News of the Zanu (PF) loss of its parliamentary majority boosted morale, but only led to further questions over the delay in the release of presidential results.
The grinding logistics of everyday life under Zimbabwe’s collapsing economy have kept many distracted from their fears of worst-case scenarios.
Yesterday, as every other day, huge queues formed outside a bakery from morning as people stood in line clutching bundles of cash, hopeful that there would be food to buy. More than forty people were still queueing when, at lunchtime, the bread ran out.
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Africa is in a sad state because despotic ruler like Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia. They illusively peddle Africanism and their anti western feeling as they are true redeemers of our continent's predicament but in the end they are nothing order than butchers. This is the moment of African redemption. Even with their partisan electoral commission they can break the will of the surviving masses in our continent yelling for changes. I really have hope in democracy and slowly Africa will evolve from illusive utopian ideals of Pan African into liberal democracy, social justice, human rights and sustainable development.
Abdoukarim Sanneh, Manchester, UK
Typical pious comments!
Lets be honest, If Zimbabwe had oil, you Brits and yanks wouldf be in there in a flash to "protect" the natives.
Why not get the UN to pass another dodgy resolution to allow you guys to "intervene" as ye did to "save" Iraq and Afghanistan?
Nice to know your colonial instincts are now saved for countries rich in oil deposits.
Padraig, Waterford, Ireland
He will not go! He has the Army and Police on his side and like the Emperers of Rome is secure in power until those arms of Government turn against him.
Does it matter to the rest of the world if the Army kill a few 100000 people as they have in other African States Angola, Congo, Ethiopia and the rest?
Not really, our esteemed leaders will say their usual platitudes and get on with getting their noses deeper in the trough.
Remember, they did nothing to stop blood diamonds or the other African Genocides, Zimbabwe has no reason (not even oil) for the west to intervene.
Howard, Basildon, England
// Hide comments-4-to-n because there is no " access-text" in the classname of comments-form. fShowHideElement('comments-4-to-n'); Did we really expect anything else? It is already shameful that countries like our own have stood by and done so little for so long long. Surely now is the time for external intervention
chris, Paris, France
What is the UN doing?With all the talk of helping Africa , here is a clear cut case for intervention in the name of democracy.
Ian McNeil, Roussayrolles, France
The Labour Pary put him into power and have subsidised him helping to keep him in power. Blood on their hands which they obviously cannot admit to so just wring their hands and spout pious nonsense
fordius, Milton keynes,
This is an African problem to be solved by African goverments - with robust support from non-African states if necessary.
Surely the world has learned the lessons of ignoring these despots in the hope they will go away.
THEY RARELY DO!
R Bingham, Lauzun, France
Once again I say, where are all the anti Ian Smith (Rhodesia) supporters? Why have they gone silent and not demonstrating against Mugabe and his regime???
Siân, Frankfurt, Germany
All very well to call for intervention - but what and how ?
Have we not already had too much of the USA and UK walking uninvited into other countries and destrying their entire infrastructure in the name of "liberation". To "arrest" the incumbent Mugabe, however odious he is, would be a flagrant violation of the country's sovereign rights. See the recent debacle in Iraq for a stark ibject lesson in hte foolishness of such things.
Sean, Coventry, UK
When criticizing the democratic nature of Zimbabwe and emerging states would it not be helpful to draw attention to the un-democratic structure of the British Parliament. Is it not true that approximately half the members are un-elected,un-accountable and un-representative? Perhaps it would be a good idea to put are own house in order.
Jim, Durham, UK
Zimbabwe like virtually ALL African countries was far better off and the people treated better under the wicked Colonialists and it is only our Western PC driven leftwing guilt trip which prevents us from acknowledging this. Its time African nations grew up and realised that they are the ones responsible for the huge problems that grip Africa NOW and stop whining.
Peter Barry, Bankok, Thailand
Come on Brown and Bush, where are your b*lls now??
You invade Iraq to depose a tyrant using lies of possesion WMD and yet you haven't got the guts to depose Mugabe who's got catalogued war crimes against him.
It just shows what feeble leaders we have in the West these days.
It shows how they'll do anything to get black gold and yet a leader that has ruined his country and in doing so is causing so much human suffering and they stand there like Eunucs in a brothel....
Useless.
Not only on foreign policy but at running their own countries as well, it's time to get rid of Bush,Brown and Mugabee.. Unfortunately all three are guilty of war crimes but only one would ever be held accountable of their terrible crimes.
n morgan, Stockport, UK
It's long overdue that the tyrant went but, why no intervention from the US or UK forces, in the many years this man has killed thousands and totally destroyed a country?
Could it be that there is no oil?
Roger V, Beverley, Uk
Zimbabwe has no oil, so don't expect anything from the Great Liberators and Democrats
Tony, Durham, uk
Ron Henderson, NB, Canada is correct except for one thing. Mugabe's African neighbours are not just like us. We are remote and we don't care that much. They are close and they also want to stay in power, so they are far more complicit in Mugabe's violent tactics. They might want to use them some day.
jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/US
Britain and the US should offer to intervene in asked by the winning party; then bring Robert Mugabe before the world court to answer for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Richard, London, UK
If only Zimbabwe had some strategic significance so that the powers and UN would have an incentive to intervene.
We should all be so ashamed of the ruination of this once vibrant and prosperous country. Mugabe is a monster out of the Idi Amin mould and should be bought to account. Where are the billions he has been allowed to cheat out of his countrymen? I guess they are in some bank in Switzerland, Austria or London. What about the bankers who cynically take his money knowing full well that it is illgotten. Lesser mortals have to tolerate the absurd intrusions of banks who insist that they have to know their clients and the source of funds deposited. How can he hide $15billion. I hope those bankers do not sleep well at night but knowing the animal well they probably do.
Zimbabwe is the example to those who insist that the international community has no right to intervene in the domestic affairs of a country.
Colin Grant, Montreal, Canada
Mugabe,
Just leave your people alone. You have fought for independence but you were not great enough to aknowledge that you are not the only person capble to run Zimbabwe.
Jose Costa, Luanda, Angola
As an ex-Rhodesian I say to all the misguided souls out there of the 60s / 70s who in their total ignorance of anything outside their own backyards were in favour of displacing Ian Smiths government of the time ,Hope your happy , you got exactly what you could not have possibly foreseen , only people living in Africa new what the end results would be . That country has gone from the bread basket of Africa to a dustbowl in 28 years where 2,500,000 Zimbabwe dollars will buy you a loaf , when I left the rate was 1 Rhodesian dollar = 1 pound Sterling . The cost in lives is in the hundreds of thousands of all races , 65000 of which were Matebele thrown down disused mineshafts in the 80s. May God forgive you. Rhodesians certainly never will.
Ed Allen, Whitby, Canada
it was only a matter of time...
Andrew, Melbourne, Australia
Sadly no surprise where Africa is concerned. Little tribes killing other little tribes. And so it goes on. A thin cover of civilisation masks a very backwood society. Claims against the Western nations of raceism & colonism keep most well meaning groups away. As ususal blame someone else. S Africa is on its way down with the new and corrupt government - whatever happened to Mandella?
Very sad and unlikey to change. Turn out the lights when the last civilised person leaves the 'dark continent'.
nick, victoria, Canada
If we, the powerful of the globe, can muddle our way to allowing successive impositions of righteous power across previously sacred and secure borders, why on Earth can we not all use this new-found global familiarity, this brotherhood of many eyes and ears, to transcend the politics of it all and send hundreds of thousands of strong warriors, from all our races - to stand in a bloody big circle around this embarassment and to stand together in a solidarity of a common understanding - The man is old, corrupt and is badly bearing the burden of his approaching history. We, (people of the world, above our politics, ) choose to live now in vigour and truth. Salvage a grain of honour in defeat or be blown to the desert forgotten.
Matthew Fry, Kootenays, B.C. Canada
I remember this from the school yard, at first you don't succeed, it will be best out of three.
The UN is very quiet........what is the world paying them for, they should be making the loudest noice on behalf of the down trodden.
T Carroll, Sydney, Australia
Because Zimbabwe has no oil or other resources that the great international 'sheriffs' of democracy see as profitable -
The citizens have no hope of intervention in the crimes of Mugabe
from outside Africa
Darryl Hetherington, Bundaberg, Australia
There is nothing strange in what is hapening in Zimbabwe. This has happened so often throughout Africa. Why are we suprised now. The fact is that there has been a low level of genocide occuring in Zimbabwe for the last number of years without any action by either the international community or human rights organisations. They have no say and no authority there and are unwilling to take the action required because Zimbabwe is not seen as a strategic asset as far as either the EU or USA is concerned. I have no doubt about a blood-bath occuring there. The question is how many will have to die before someone steps in to stop it.
John-Donovan Frost, Cape Town, South Africa
Let's hope when Mr. Mugabe goes, and he will eventually, that this will be the last of the African Despots. Mr Mugabe, if you are reading this, you have a home in Saudi Arabia , like Mr. Idi Amin, leave your people to help them build a profitable country once more.
But always look over your shoulder...........shame you didnt have any oil..........
M J , London, UK
Well, so much for the graceful exit. Now we are seeing the Mugabe we have known and hated for so long! This latest is only one more reason why he and his cronies must go.
Rick Friedl, Edwards, USA/California
Condo Rice was right Mugabe is a disgrace to Africa. After presiding over the wholesale collapse of Zim he still feels he should run the show. Amazing!
Charles, Johannesburg, South Africa
The dictator should go and be trial as war criminal.
John Chiu, Toronto, Canada
This is Mugabe's expected behaviour. He will never go quietly. Voters in the urban areas will be able to resist him, but in rural areas which are cut off from the outside world voters will be intimidated. The only hope now is if more officials from his party rebel. Let's see what happens at the so-called "breakthrough meeting" of the Politburo tomorrow.
Charan Muzaya, London, UK
This situation has reached crisis point. Zimbabwe is a mess in every possible aspect. Now, when the Government loses the election, they go on the warpath targetting the winners of the election. Mugabe needs to get a sense of the fact that his time is gone. He does not have the support of his people. He has lost whatever legitimacy he had. It is time for him to stand down peacefully. if he does not, the world needs to act - not just talk as they always do - to remove (forcibly if necessary) Mugabe, and his most terrible regime from power.
David, Canberra, Australia
>>Fears that the embattled leader may yet resort to violence peaked<< This is being typically of the reporting recent days. There are no "fears" "may resort" to violence. It is always a certainty - it been public knowledge through Zim ad the world he will certain use maximum violence to stay in his power - report suggests there doubt - there was not dobt.. TDelay announcing result was while he fixed result. It was known happening.If there is run off the army will murder the people on the street to make sure he "win". That is the result South Africa and corrupt governments want, and why they protect him in any price. This is Africa.
Edwards Billson, Ndola, ZAmbia
Mr.Howard,the previous prime minister of Australia had the perfect summary of Mugaby : 'A squalid little despot' But of course all those spineless sycophants also in due time will visit their Nuremberg but alas,in the meantime our world's
mighty powers are mere paper tigers hoping that appropriate,
words only ,admonishment will be recorded in subsequent tomes of quotations. Why is there a United Nations ? What's it for? I don't doubt that many suffering Zimbabweans would like an answer. Meanwhile I join with a world full of listeners to the BBC's daily religious service where prayers are made for
the population of that currently sad country.
John H, Richmond, Canada
Mugabe came to office as a bandit leader. It was banditry and intimidation that kept him in office for 28 years. He won't change now.
Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia
Mugabe needs to be brought before the courts for murder and incitement to violence; his leaders need to be harangued as well and taken to court. The African neighbours are just like the rest of us, weak bellied individuals. Praise to Mr. Toutu for his boldness in calling for him to give up. I am amazed that the International committee prevented Ian Smith from ruling, but allows this heinous dictator to continue!
Ron Henderson, NB, Canada
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