Shops closed, people forced to attend Mugabe’s Independence Day address

By Tererai Karimakwenda
18 April, 2007

Shops were forced to close and street vendors and other people were herded toward Rufaro Stadium in Harare by police as they prepared for Robert Mugabe’s Independence Day address on Wednesday. But with the ongoing arrests and torture of opposition officials and supporters, and ever increasing inflation rates, Zimbabweans did not have much to celebrate this year. According to our correspondent Simon Muchemwa, Mugabe’s speech contained nothing more than the usual negative venom against the British and western powers. He also attacked opposition parties, accusing them of creating anarchy and warning they would be dealt with firmly if they disobey the law. Then he thanked the police for their role in containing what he called “misguided elements.”

Muchemwa said the ageing ZANU-PF leader told the British government to leave Zimbabwe alone, saying their authority over the country ended back in 1980 when Prince Charles lowered the British flag. The only foreign dignitaries who attended the celebrations were Zambia’s deputy Prime Minister Rupiya Banda and three Zambian ministers. Muchemwa believes this signals Mugabe’s increasing isolation within the region.

Mugabe also targeted MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, who was badly injured when he was tortured by police while in custody last month. He referred to Tsvangirai as a puppet of the West and accused the party of being violent. He did not mention that dozens of opposition officials have been arrested and tortured since then and that abductions are still going on as we celebrate Independence. At least 25 people are still in custody being denied medical assistance for injuries inflicted during their torture by the authorities. Mugabe also said opposition parties had all the freedom to operate as long as they stayed within the legal framework prescribed by the law. But he did not speak of the current ban on political rallies and religious gatherings.

A war veteran leader who fought in the liberation war slammed Mugabe’s speech, saying he had nothing to offer and was using diversions because he has no solutions to the countrys deepening crisis. Max Mkandla of the Zimbabwe Liberators’ Voice said the freedom Zimbabweans fought for does not exist when people cannot gather or speak freely and choose their own government. He described Mugabe as a “confused leader who is no longer popular with other nations and at home.”

Mkandla said a good leader does not praise brutality by the police against innocent unarmed citizens. He pointed to the days when army planes and parachutes flew by during Independence celebrations, saying they no longer do so because Mugabe is no longer popular within his own army.
“We need new ideas and we need to build bridges with other nations,” said the war vet leader.