Zimbabwe crisis talks spark new fears of compromise

By Violet Gonda
5 August 2008

Activists are extremely uneasy about the media blackout and the rumours that are surfacing concerning the talks between the Zimbabwean political parties.

The public and media are having difficulties penetrating the web of secrecy and many people are concerned that the future of the country is being carved out by a few politicians, leaving Zimbabweans with nothing to rely on but rumour.

Journalist Tanonoka Joseph Whande asks in an article this week: “But why? Look what's happening now. Look at the confusion! And I, whose life and future is being debated, can only wait anxiously to know if I have been thrown to the crocodiles, or whether I remain in the same pool with a cautioned and warned croc. And what, may I ask, will I do, if I find out after they have signed more agreements, shook hands and toasted each other, that my life and future have been made worse?”

Arnold Tsunga from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights says: “Exclusion of CSOs (civil society) and the wider society in the mediation process, gives the impression that the problem in Zimbabwe is between Zanu (PF) and the MDC. It ignores the fact that the crisis is one of governance and therefore an issue for all Zimbabweans.”

Furthermore Tsunga said the Mugabe regime is negotiating in bad faith and has no intention of transferring power to the MDC. He said institutions of checks and balances, like the parliament and judiciary, have been crippled. Parliament has not sat since the elections, which is a breach of the constitution. Tsunga said there is no political will on the part of the government to shut down the institutions of violence and to offer internally displaced people protection, especially while the talks are taking place.

Dr. Douglas Gwatidzo, the chairperson of the Doctors for Human Rights, believes it will be a sad development if the politicians only focused on the power games. He said Zimbabwe needs an outcome that will genuinely bring an end to the economic and political crisis that is ripping the country apart.

Dr. Gwatidzo said cases of political violence have decreased, but victims who were attacked during the run off election are still being found. “Indeed we are seeing patients, not many of them are fresh injuries – they are old injuries that are coming out. Probably before the June 27th election they were afraid to come out for fear of further victimisation… but sadly they are presenting us with complications which are difficult to correct.”

Most hospitals in the country are also failing to cope, as equipment and medication are in seriously short supply. Dr Gwatidzo said hospitals don’t even have the capacity to take x-rays, because there is no film for the x-rays. There isn’t even any foreign currency to buy specimen bottles to collect samples.

Whatever is happening at the talks, Zimbabweans have to pray that the leaders have their concerns genuinely to heart and if a real solution isn’t found soon, there won’t be a country left to save.

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