quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
Carter, IMO, pushed Mugabe because M is a Marxist -- Carter always has been a traitorous SOB, and there will be a VERY long line of people waiting to piss on his grave...

Absolutely, 100% spot on. And I'll be looking to "que up" in that line as well. jorge

Save a spot for me . I'll bring beverages for everybody.

New Story from the AP:

Looks like war vets left some farms but moved into others.

Zimbabweans prepare for Mugabe to stay



By ANGUS SHAW, Associated Press Writer 15 minutes ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe - For a few brief moments, Zimbabweans suffering under the authoritarian rule of Robert Mugabe allowed themselves a rare burst of optimism after their longtime president suffered what appeared to be a devastating electoral loss.

But ruling party stalwarts and security chiefs — worried about their own fates in a post-Mugabe era — quickly dug in their heels, and Mugabe now appears poised to do everything he can to extend his 28-year rule.

"There's a political hardening by the political elite of the ruling party," said Eldred Masunungure, a political analyst at the University of Zimbabwe. "They're in a panic mode."

Earlier, news of the opposition victory sent supporters into the streets, dancing, singing and waving the open hand that is the Movement for Democratic Change's symbol. The symbol of Mugabe's ZANU-PF is a clenched fist, and it didn't take long for it to show.

Though opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has promised Mugabe a peaceful retirement, fears of violence against government opponents have grown as security forces and ruling party thugs took to the streets in the days after the March 29 election.

It would not be the first time Mugabe resorted to violence to cling to power.

He had ruled his nation with little real challenge since 1980, when his guerrilla movement helped end white rule in Rhodesia and bring about an independent Zimbabwe. He was praised for his policies of racial reconciliation and economic growth, and for bringing education and health care to the masses.

Then a coalition of trade unionists — backed by some wealthy white commercial farmers and their workers — formed the Movement for Democratic Change which, along with civil rights groups, dealt Mugabe his first defeat at a 2000 referendum to entrench presidential powers.

Shocked, Mugabe responded by sending armed thugs, some veterans of the bush war for independence, into rural areas to seize white-owned farms and intimidate opposition supporters.

Though the farm seizures sparked an eventual economic collapse that has this former regional breadbasket dependent on international food aid, the ruling party won 2000 parliamentary elections. Similar campaigns of intimidation preceded ruling party victories in 2002 and 2005 elections, which international observers said were marred by serious irregularities, including outright rigging. Scores of Mugabe opponents were killed.

In contrast, the March 29 elections were relatively peaceful and, in a compromise with opposition leaders, the government posted results outside all the polling stations — a move that made it more difficult to cheat.

Mugabe campaigned on his liberation credentials and land reform, blaming former colonizer Britain and the West for ruining the economy through sanctions. In fact, the sanctions only involve visa bans and frozen bank accounts for Mugabe and about 100 of his cronies.

After it became clear Mugabe did not win the most votes and was likely headed for a runoff with Tsvangirai, several people reported secret talks to usher the 84-year-old into a graceful retirement, though aides to Mugabe and Tsvangirai denied it.

Supporters of Tsvangirai, who said he won more than 50 percent of the vote and did not need a runoff, took to the streets in euphoria. Many hoped an end to Mugabe's rule would revive the economy, where inflation rages at more than 100,000 percent.

But eight days after the presidential vote, election officials still have not released the results, and the mood in the country has turned dark.

Riot police have flooded the streets, manned roadblocks, closed beer halls and ordered people to stay home at night. Intruders raided opposition offices, and police arrested foreign journalists. Feared war veterans — used in the past to beat up opponents — marched through downtown Harare.

"Mugabe has started a crackdown," warned Tendai Biti, secretary-general of the MDC.

Zimbabwean civic, church and human rights groups say they fear ruling party supporters will use violence to target election districts where Mugabe lost to ensure there is no repeat of those results in a runoff.

But Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga has dismissed the fears of violence as "a lot of nonsense."

On Sunday, white farmers said militant supporters of the ruling party had invaded eight of the few remaining white-owned commercial farms. Four cattle ranchers were driven off their land Saturday, and equipment and livestock were seized, the farmers said.

Later, police persuaded the militants to leave farms in southern Masvingo district, but even as that was happening two more farms were invaded in northern Centenary, the Commercial Farmers Union reported.

Senior officers and ruling party leaders appeared to be the driving force behind the campaign to keep Mugabe in power, said military analyst Martin Rupiya, a former lieutenant colonel in the Zimbabwean army now at the South African Institute for Strategic Studies.

Security chiefs and top party officials stand to lose multiple farms each has been given by Mugabe along with other patronage such as lucrative business and government contracts.

The MDC has said it was confident it would win a runoff. But many believe that Mugabe, backed into a corner, will find a way to stay in power.

The law requires a runoff within 21 days of the initial election, but diplomats in Harare and at the United Nations have said that Mugabe was planning to declare a 90-day delay to give security forces time to clamp down.

"We should distinguish wishful thinking from the reality on the ground," said Masunungure, the analyst. "Mugabe still has many tricks up his sleeve."

I sincerely hope that this does not descend into a Mozambique situation with a prolonged civil war. I am afraid that a lot of the makings are in place.

Any way from a hunting stand point it does not look good at all.

Hi dsiteman,

Firstly please let me make it clear that when I bash "America" I am certainly not intending a bash at Americans. I am more specifically meaning the political/business alliance that in the USA, does pretty much what many corrupt African and other governments do; play cloak & dagger games with their peoples money, the lives of their children and betrays their trust. In terms of the USA examples are too many to go into here, and the Brit's history of this goes back hundreds of years!

More specifically, my reference to the USA in this instance was NOT a promise of aid, but an attemt to "BUY OFF" a portion of the then white Rhodesian community, in order to make this despicable deal happen.
Now it was bad enough to do this in the first place, but even worse was not then settling the buyoff fee in the end. I do agree that it was right not to just hand it to RM's govt. to handle, but that did NOT absolve UK / USA from making sure they still met that commitment. That was just a convenient excuse for not paying.
I, for one, know of quite a few whites who left shortly after 1980, leaving magnificent farms behind, with no compensation worth mentioning.

I see these things from the perspective of my own experience as a South African who had to do 2 years enlisted service in SWA/Angola. The American government was giving tacit support to our government, supplying Jonas Savimbi's UNITA with arms to continue their "struggle" and all the while keeping the Angolan govt. cash flow up by developing the Cabinda Oil Fields, that money helping to keep the Cuban army in place to "balance the odds". Nice Babies!? I just wish I had this clearer perpective then.

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Militant ruling party supporters invaded white-owned farms Monday, a day after President Robert Mugabe urged Zimbabweans to defend seized land, fanning fears he would stage a violent crackdown to retain power.

Invasions that began Sunday worsened with intruders entering at least 23 farms in southern Masvingo province and northern Centenary, said Trevor Gifford, president of the Commercial Farmers Union.

"In Masvingo where the police have been very cooperative, every time they remove invaders, within five, six hours they're reinvading," he told The Associated Press. "It's very apparent that this is being coordinated from higher up the chain of command."

Workers were being rounded up on the farms and forced to chant anthems in support of the ruling party, he said, and many of the farm owners had fled out of concern about their safety.

"The farmers are being told that everything on the farm is the property of those invading," he said.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who claims to have won the March 29 election outright, was holding meetings in neighboring South Africa Monday, the same day he issued a call for international pressure to persuade Mugabe to step down.

Tsvangirai flew out of Zimbabwe Sunday evening, said Tendai Biti, secretary-general of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, declining to give details.

Latest from the AP

An interesting point was made on the Zimbabwe Situation website..."It is absurd that the ruling party would request for a vote recount when the
official result is yet to be released."

Good point.

Zimbabwe election officials arrested

By David Blair in Johannesburg
Last Updated: 8:01pm BST 07/April/2008

[b]Zimbabwean police have arrested seven election officials for undercounting votes cast for Robert Mugabe in the Presidential election.[b]

"We're still investigating, but we have established that there was deflation of figures in respect of one candidate ... the ZANU-PF presidential candidate (Mr Mugabe)," said Wayne Bvudzijena, a police spokesman.

Those arrested, who were working for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in four provinces, will be charged with fraud.

As the results of the election remain unannounced, speculation is mounting that Mr Mugabe is planning a strategy to overcome a majority won by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Mr Mugabe this morning demanded a recount, with his opponents fearing he will secure and then rig a runoff election.

His Zanu-PF party has also reverted to familiar tactics by unleashing its militias on some of the last remaining white-owned farms.

Veterans of the war against white rule, who will play a central role in Mr Mugabe's strategy to win a fifth term, invaded eight farms yesterday.

Their actions followed a silent but menacing march through the capital, Harare, on Friday. It suggests they have been mobilised to help Zanu-PF cling to power.

With a presidential result still unannounced a week after the election, the MDC asked the High Court in Harare to rule on a petition demanding the immediate release of the results.

Zanu-PF countered by attempting to stymie the legal action with its own demands.

The party said it wanted the Electoral Commission to "recount and audit all its electoral material relating to last week's presidential election following revelations of errors and miscalculations in the compilation of the poll result".

It added that the commission should "defer the announcement of the presidential election result".

The MDC spokesman, Tendai Biti, said the request was "madness". He said: "Legally they have no right to ask for a recount, they have absolutely no footing to ask for a recount, so what they are trying to do is illegal."

Under the Electoral Act, a second round must take place by April 19. But if the announcement of the result continues to be delayed, Mr Mugabe may have an excuse to delay the run-off.

The MDC, which secured a majority in parliament's lower house, has been officially announced the winner in half of the Senate's elected seats.

Because Mr Mugabe appoints six senators, Zanu-PF will still have a narrow majority in the upper house.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/07/wzim307.xml

The latest...

War veterans evict over 60 Zimbabwean farmers

Zimbabwe court to hear opposition suit

HARARE, Zimbabwe - An opposition lawyer says Zimbabwe's High Court has agreed to hear a petition demanding the release of the results of the March 29 presidential election.

The court has ruled that the case warranted urgent attention. Opposition lawyer says Alec Muchadehama it plans to hold a hearing on the matter Tuesday afternoon.

Results from the election have still not been published ten days after polls closed. The opposition has said the results show its candidate Morgan Tsvangirai has defeated longtime ruler Robert Mugabe.

---------

In other news, President Mugabe has been urgently summoned to see his personal physician (as part of the famous "Look East" policy Mr. Mugabe has a new personal physician funded by his friends in China). Apparently his doctor is concerned because he understands that Mr. Mugabe has experienced an election lasting more then ten days.

Just keeping up the irresponsible babbling.

Zimbabwe opposition slams 'deafening silence' of Africa

David, Ganyana, and all other fellow Zimbos, we are all thinking of you and your families at this time. I just hope that something is done soon so that everyone can breathe again. It just seems that the madness has gone on for too long now. I am glad that South Africa at least seems to be showing some intest in trying to defuse things somewhat and the foreign publicity at least seems to be growing.

Well with all the bad news out of Zim lately The good news is that with Tshabezi/Dudley Rogers hunts are going forward as planed. They are not having any problems other that the usual.

As usual I think the country side is to a great extent isolated from the problems of the cities and capital.

Thank you Els. So the unsubstantiated rumors about Tshabezi having serious problems (and possibly losing their concession) by Russ were just rumors as was stated numerous times.

Andy S, Barry K, Bill B, Charl G, Claudio C, Don H, Ganyana, Giles R, Karel S, Shane M, Tony B and so many other Zimbabwean friends, acquainteses and fellow AR members, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and families in these troubled times.

Now that the [and my] predictions made in the 1980's about eventual total ruin of the country is about to finally be accepted by the vast majority, I will ask a question for general consideration: Is it NOW, or will it shortly, be a good time to invest in business or residential property in Zimbabwe?

Just wondering.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

The insane greedy old bastard has to die soon. The actuarial tables don't lie. He's a goner. It's just a matter of months or a few years before someone has to dump his corpse into a hole.

What will happen then? No way of telling. I don't think I'd be buying up any Zim real estate just yet.

Zimbabwe opposition rules out participation in presidential run-off

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will not take part in any presidential run-off against incumbent Robert Mugabe, his party said Thursday.

"We will not participate in a re-run of elections because we won that election hands down without a need for a re-run," Tendai Biti, the secretary general of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told a press conference in Johannesburg.

oh oh

here we go..

all of you down there, keep your heads down and stay safe.

peter

I wondered if Morgan would do that. We'll see what this does to alter the situation.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will not take part in any presidential run-off against incumbent Robert Mugabe, his party said Thursday.

"We will not participate in a re-run of elections because we won that election hands down without a need for a re-run," Tendai Biti, the secretary general of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told a press conference in Johannesburg.

Posturing. If there is a runoff, they will be there.

Mugabe snubs summit as opposition calls strike

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's opposition on Friday called a general strike after officials said President Robert Mugabe would snub a regional summit called to discuss rising fears of bloodshed over delayed election results.

As tension increased over the election deadlock, police accused the opposition Movement for Democratic Change of "spoiling for a fight" and of deploying 350 youth wing members around the country.

....

Zimbabwean police said all political rallies had been banned because officers were too busy guarding ballot boxes or deployed to prevent post-election violence.

Related Story:

Police ban political rallies in Zimbabwe

"All political parties are warned against creating mayhem as we know there are many people who wish Zimbabwe to lose its peace," Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Faustino Mazango said. "Surely those who want to provoke a breach of peace, whoever they are and whatever office they hold, will be dealt with severely."

The opposition has accused security forces and ruling party militants of engaging in a wave of violence against perceived opponents since the vote and of clamping down on the opposition.

Opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the Movement for Democratic Change party had planned a rally for Sunday.

"You can't be a political organization and not hold a rally, that is what makes us who we are, how we communicate with our supporters," he said, adding that they had not decided whether to go ahead with the rally.

The party leadership also would consider calling a general strike when it meets Sunday, he said.

"We cannot accept a declaration of a police state. People have just voted for change, for democracy and what do they get? This is unacceptable. This is ridiculous," he said.

Official results from the March 29 election have yet to be released. Independent observer tallies suggest Mugabe, the nation's ruler for the past 28 years, lost the vote, but that a runoff would be necessary because no candidate won the majority needed for outright victory.

"We know the results of the election," Tsvangirai said Friday. "We are tired of waiting. Not for some official announcement but for Mugabe to accept the result that he knows."

Updated Travel Alert from the US Dep't of State. Not a "Warning", but still an "Alert", and not as scary as the one for Mexico.

quote:

This information is current as of today, Fri Apr 11 19:03:34 2008.

Zimbabwe

April 11, 2008

This Travel Alert is being issued to update U.S. citizens on safety and security concerns throughout Zimbabwe due to ongoing political instability following the March 29 national elections, and advises them to consider carefully the risks of travel to Zimbabwe at this time. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Zimbabwe dated February 15, 2008 and expires on June 1, 2008.

U.S. citizens should carefully consider the risks of travel to Zimbabwe. While the country awaits results of the March 29 presidential elections, security forces including some military and police, as well as war veterans are creating a climate of intimidation and fear across the country, particularly in rural areas and high-density suburbs. There have been attacks on opposition supporters, renewed farm invasions, and arrests of election officials accused of vote tampering. There is a continued risk of arbitrary detention or arrest.

Americans should be particularly aware of using still, video or telephone cameras in any urban setting, or in the vicinity of any political activity, as this could be construed by Zimbabwean authorities as practicing journalism without accreditation, a crime punishable by arrest, incarceration and/or deportation.

American citizens traveling to or resident in Zimbabwe should register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form online at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Registration enables the Embassy to contact American citizens in case of emergency and provide updates on the security situation.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Zimbabwe Travel Alert: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3234.html

Not to make light of this, but to put it into perspective, compare that to the Warning for CAR: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_940.html

.

we shall win, regardless of what the sceptics say

I sincerely hope so!!!! Fondest hopes for a normalized Zimbabwe where the people can live in peace and with out fear of their government.

I also hope that I can continue to go there regularly for the rest of my life.

David, The will and resolve of your countrymen seems strong. This waiting must be difficult, wondering what Mugabe's next move will be. With Independence Day around the corner (the 18th), you should know soon. Again, best of luck to you, and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Zim.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:
I will ask a question for general consideration: Is it NOW, or will it shortly, be a good time to invest in business or residential property in Zimbabwe?

Just wondering.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

When I was in Zim last year, I had dinner with a very successful (NOTORIOUS?) businessman. I also lectured at the university, and spent time with a host of other successful business owners. If I were 25 years younger, and didn't have kids and my own established business, I'd head over there in a second.

Most of the people I know over there who are PH's or business people are living a pretty good life style. I have a cleaning lady at home, but everywhere I stayed, they had a whole staff of servants, homes nicer than mine, and all the luxuries. I realize the average ZIM may not have these things, but that is the same here in the US.

Those willing to work their ass off, as I do, and clever enough to "make a plan" will always be successful no matter where they live.

I met you in So Cal for a pizza/beer party a few years back. Hope you are doing well..

quote:

Originally posted by Nzou:
I am glad that South Africa at least seems to be showing some intest in trying to defuse things somewhat .

I am not sure what you meant by this statement, Nzou but from where I sit I have not been impressed by anything Thabo Mbeki has done regarding the Zimbabwe situation now or previously. And as for the farse that was held in Lusaka, they could have just as well all gone on a "dirty weekend" with our tax money rather than try convince us the conference would make any difference.

Mugabe shows a finger to the world, and Mbeki stands next to him smiling meekly and states "there is no crisis". Well thats to be expected from him; he says there is no crime wave in South Africa either!

I still have every confidence in the future of South & Southern Africa, but frankly, Thabo Mbeki's handling of matters leaves a queasy, uneasy feeling deep in my gut.....

Hi Stephen, I have felt exactly the same as you about Mbeki. I think that he has kept quiet for way too long and has probably scared off many potential investors and hurt his country by doing so. I think that it is good for other African leaders to sit down and talk to RM, but that is all it ever amounts to....talk.

I know that Mbeki will probably never speak badly of RM, as they are big mates IMHO, which is a bit of a worry. I do not like to get all political in this stuff, but I just think that if other African leaders, especially SA put a squeeze on RM it would certainly help. I still do not know exactly why Mbeki continues to keep his silence, but it is certainly not doing his country nor Zim and it's people any good.

quote:

Originally posted by N'gagi:
If I were 25 years younger, and didn't have kids and my own established business, I'd head over there in a second . . .

Those willing to work their ass off, as I do, and clever enough to "make a plan" will always be successful no matter where they live.

Excellent point.

In every crisis or challenge there is an opportunity -- it is all a matter of perspective, perseverance and attitude. One of the points I have made to my friends in Zim is that by staying the course, when the weather breaks, they should be well positioned to share in the success in the future of the new Zim.

Didn't I hear or read somewhere that Mbeki and Mugabe were related? They married sisters or something it seems?

I read in today's (Sunday's) newspaper that Mbeki made the statement, on a stopover in Harare, while flying to the Summit of the South African Nations to discuss Zimbabwe, that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe and world must just wait it out. What a total, corrupt, and incompetent ass of the highest magnitude. Makes me feel as sorry for the South Africans as I do the Zimbabweans.

Adrian, I think you are right, I heard TM is married to RM's cousin as far as I know. Still, that is no excuse to put so many lives at risk by turning a blind eye to the situation. Ignoring this situation is not something that should be done. I think that many people outside of Zim know that there is a situation, it has got to the point where it can no longer be ignored I think.

Mugabe deploys troops as Zimbabwe general strike looms

HARARE (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe's security forces fanned out across Zimbabwe Monday on the eve of a general strike called by the opposition after a judge threw out its bid to force the election results.

Morgan Tsvangirai's opposition urged Zimbabweans to show their disgust at the continuing hold-up by launching a general strike from Tuesday until the results of the March 29 presidential poll are released.

Police accused Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of trying to cause mayhem and issued a statement threatening that "those who breach the peace will be dealt with severely and firmly."

"The call by the MDC Tsvangirai faction is aimed at disturbing peace and will be resisted firmly by the law enforcement agents whose responsibility is to maintain law and order in any part of the country," it said.

National police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said officers and soldiers were being deployed throughout the country and a diplomatic source told AFP the military was already camped out on the main arteries into the capital Harare.

In a further sign of mounting unrest, the opposition claimed that one of its election agents had been stabbed to death by Mugabe supporters over the weekend in what it claimed was the first politically motivated killing since the polls.

Police confirmed the agent, Tapiwa Mubwanda, had been killed but said the motive had yet to be established.

Mugabe is a dictator. Why does he bother having elections in the first place? He needs the assurance that the folks love him?

Seems wierd.

A dictator having elections (even rigged elections) seems more human I suppose.

I am afraid that the people around RM and Rm himself realize that if they let go of power they will shortly be tried for the many murders that they have committed. From their perspective they will just have to do what ever is necessary to stay if power. They don't have anything to lose.


It is all getting sadder and sadder by the day. The only hope is that the strike goes well. I only wish that Jimmy Carter could be forced to go live off the economy of Zimbawe.

Oh well it does no good to get worked up over this. There is nothing that we can do now and the rest the world will just sit by and watch this travesty of justice happen.

quote:

Originally posted by els:
Oh well it does no good to get worked up over this. There is nothing that we can do now . . . .

Ernie,

We can support the hard working, persevering folks that despite the hardships and challenges they face every day make a go of it day in and day out and run their businesses despite the odds.

I understand your point though -- wishing better for the people of Zim.

Will- We are an African Democracy...one man, one vote..

It just happens that at the moment, bob is that man and he has the vote

Ganyana,

perhaps if you could discover some huge oil reserves in Zim then the US, Britan & Europe will come and force some "democracy" on you.....

Actually, maybe you are better off without it in the long run?