2 more shot as the world reacts to Zimbabwe brutality

By Tererai Karimakwenda
13 March, 2007

Events unfolding on Tuesday clearly exposed the brutality of the police under Robert Mugabe and received strong condemnation from the international community. Also at the receiving end of strong global criticism was South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki, who has continued to refuse to make any public statements against the authorities in Harare, despite the shocking brutality of the police.

Much has transpired this Tuesday but here is a brief summary:
Following the shooting death of opposition supporter Gift Tandare at a rally violently stopped by the police on Sunday, and the arrest of scores of opposition officials and civic leaders, 2 more innocent civilians were shot by soldiers near Tandare’s home where people had gathered to mourn with his family. The soldiers were going to work early Tuesday morning when they ran into mourners returning from a wake at Tandare’s home.

Meanwhile there was confirmation that MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and several others were severely assaulted and tortured by police in custody, when they appeared in court Tuesday morning with visible wounds and bandages. Witnesses described Tsvangirai as having a swollen face and a large gash on his head. He appeared in court briefly with about 50 activists and was taken to hospital after police finally complied with a court order they had ignored. Professor Arthur Mutambara, President of the other MDC faction was also hospitalised as was NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku and several of the others who were arrested.

In further news the offices of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions were raided by police Tuesday morning. The police were allegedly holding officials and staff hostage against their will at the offices in Harare. No further updates have been received.

A detailed account of the day’s events follows but first a look at the response of the international community to the brutal assaults which made headlines around the world.
Strong condemnation of the Mugabe regime came from the German presidency of the European Union which released a statement saying the presidency "underlines the responsibility of the Zimbabwean government to ensure that those arrested are safe and remain unharmed".
A spokesperson for the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon is reported as saying: "The secretary-general urges the government of Zimbabwe to release the detainees and to guarantee their safety."
Reports also came from the US State Department that Washington was shocked by reports from Zimbabwe. New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Italian Foreign Minister also commented negatively on the situation in Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki remained silent and received much criticism himself for ignoring such brutal actions next door. Strong words regarding Mbeki’s silence came from critics at home and abroad.
In the Business Day South Africa newspaper, Alex Matthews wrote: “Government’s stance on Zimbabwe is a disgrace. President Thabo Mbeki’s “quiet diplomacy” is merely a euphemism for his callous indifference. He continues to turn a blind eye while President Robert Mugabe’s regime violates every human right.”
South Africa’s main opposition the Democratic Alliance tabled a motion in parliament urging Mbeki to speak out. The party’s media secretary Martin Slabbert said that the motion was brought to parliament by DA Foreign Affairs Minister Douglas Gibson Tuesday afternoon. Slabbert said the DA is calling on president Mbeki to join the EU and the UN in condemning the recent violent assaults on opposition and civic leaders in Zimbabwe. He added that the ruling party’s policy of “quiet diplomacy” had not borne any fruits and was a silent approval of the abuses by the Mugabe regime.
Cosatu secretary-general Zwelin-zima Vavi told the local press on Tuesday that Mbeki’s "silent diplomacy" had not worked and they would stage a protest outside the Zimbabwe High Commission against police brutality.

Despite all the voices urging him to say something, Mbeki’s spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga said there would be no statement.