|
THE arrest of MDC legislator Evelyn Masaiti and 13
others on charges of looting the shop of acting Harare Mayor Sekesayi
Makwavarara exposes the opposition party as an organisation that is intolerant
and repressive.
The MDC has failed dismally to live up to its own so-called principles on political freedom, democracy, tolerance of divergent views or the rule of law. If, as an opposition party, it cannot respect these universal values, what can Zimbabweans expect if it were to come to power? Instead of addressing its own inadequacies that have led to defections and electoral defeats, it has sought to viciously attack those like Ms Makwavarara and other councillors as well as MPs that have dared differ with the party. This is not the first time that Ms Makwavarara�s property has been attacked, as she had to abandon her home for more secure lodgings following violent attacks by MDC youths. It is really shameful for a party that purports to stand for human rights, democracy and freedom of association to be linked to such despicable acts of violence and high forms of intolerance. On what moral authority can the MDC make demands on principles of democracy when it cannot abide by the same principles? The opposition party has been quick to raise all sorts of alarm to the international world whenever its members have been at the receiving end of imagined or real violence, including outright lies about imagined attacks on its president by alleged Zanu-PF members. The party has gone to the extent of even lying that the ruling Zanu-PF was responsible for the deaths of some of its MPs and phantom members such as the decapitated Magunje woman who never existed. The opposition party accused the ruling party of killing Lupane MP David Mpala, when the truth was that he died of meningitis. It also claimed that its former spokesman, the late Learnmore Jongwe, was also killed by Zanu-PF when he had committed suicide. Such recklessness does not augur well for a party that wants to be seen as a model for the country. The situation is made worse by partisan organisations like the European Union that seem to encourage this behaviour by issuing reckless statements on issues that have not been verified by credible authorities. Can Zanu-PF or any other party expect fair play from such organisations that turn a blind eye to the MDC�s excesses but are quick to condemn the ruling party�s alleged misdeeds? The truth of the matter is that it is Zanu-PF that has shown more restraint and tolerance than the MDC as the ruling party has allowed itself to be abused in the name of democracy. The opposition has instigated the imposition of sanctions against this country and its leaders have openly called for the violent removal of the Government, among other things, and yet they continue to move around as free citizens or attend Parliament as MPs. Such provocative actions would not be tolerated in most societies as this would be regarded as treasonous, but this has been allowed to ride. This country does not need such intransigence and violent intolerance. The attack on Ms Makwavarara should be condemned by all peace-loving Zimbabweans as an act of thuggery and barbarism that is inconsistent with the values of political freedom, democracy, rule of law or tolerance. The Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" Groupe de communication Mulindwas "avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie" |
