Ian Smith dies

By Tererai Karimakwenda
21 November, 2007

The man who imprisoned Robert Mugabe for 10 years, after defying the British and resisting majority rule in Zimbabwe has died. Ian Smith, who was Prime Minister of what was then Rhodesia from 1965 to 1979, died in Cape Town aged 88. The word “unrepentant” has featured in most obituaries on his death, and ironically there is consensus that Smith and Mugabe are very much alike.

He declared unilateral independence from Britain and went on to blame the British for what he called interference in Rhodesia’s domestic affairs. Likewise, Mugabe rants against Britain and western powers at every turn. He blames them for the economic mess that exists in Zimbabwe, claiming they are after regime change through sanctions.

Smith imprisoned Mugabe and many others claiming they were terrorists. Members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have suffered the same fate under Mugabe. Several MDC officials were jailed earlier this year on terrorist charges.

Press censorship, oppressive legislation and selective application of the law also feature in the legacy of both men. Smith said there would never be majority rule in his lifetime. Mugabe has said Zimbabwe will never be a colony again, and so-called Western puppets in the opposition will never rule.

Geoff Hill, writer and correspondent for the Washington Times in South Africa, was the last journalist to see Smith alive, when he visited him in his hospital bed last Friday. He described him as just another African head of State who ruled during an era of tyrants and one-party states. But he singled out Smith for managing the economy better than his peers.

On their similarities, Hill said Smith and Mugabe were both paranoid about British intentions and did not like being challenged from within their own parties. Both used the same brutal tactics and Mugabe adopted legislation used by Smith to maintain his grip on power.

Hill said this should be a warning to Zimbabweans that they should never again inherit leftover pieces of legislation, but instead they should rewrite the Constitution completely.

Hill said he believes Mugabe has become impervious, after the Gukurahundi massacres and the bull dozing of homes and businesses during Murambatsvina, and he would be surprised if he felt any emotion at all over Smith’s death.