Owatalk

mbareboy
,...while I am not very optimistic about the outcome of the negotiations and what they will offer Zimbabweans in terms of a paradigm shift, it is nonetheless a good first step..

I pin my hopes on the constitution review. If the parties can sit together in Parly and revamp the constitution to a democratic one that recognises and safeguards property rights, freedoms etc, that should set the stage for building nationhood.

Mugabe has destroyed the basic tenents of good citizenry and has planted distrusts, self-mocking, corruption, thuggery, battering etc and all the inhuman acts you can think of.

All the people want is to get their self-respect and dignity back,...that would be a good start.

I know Mugabe and his bandits wont go away now, but what is needed is to set the wheels of change in motion. Setting a two week tight program like that shows that most of the issues have been thrashed already. Can somebody confirm that the "dinner" really took place?

Mugabe's behaviour is unprecedented in this age and time....what a maniac Thanks Morgan for causing the climbdown........looks like Thabo is getting somewhere after all
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mbareboy
I had put great faith in the talks making the first significant steps towards the resolution of the political and economic disaster that Zimbabwe is at the moment. I am getting skeptical as each day passes by because the course of the negotiations is turning into the validation and accommodation of personal interests at the expense of the wishes and desires of the Zimbabwe populace.

ZANU as a minority party can not demand amnesty, monopoly of power through the control of key ministries, and use the MDC to clear its mess and claim credit.

ZANU have already won because the pressure has eased off of them a bit. I still emphasize the constitution revamp and the ability to enforce it as the only way out of the jaws of the monster whose head is Mugabe.

It would be absurd for two parties that have completely tangential ideologies to serve a full term jointly managing a process of radical transformation - its like trying to move a car forward when the hand brake is on.

We want accountability. MDC is in the right by demanding control of the Justice and Police functions so as to implement the rule of law, and they will get the amendments they want if they play their cards well in Parliament.

To me, the GNU should just be there to facilitate the creation of a conducive environment for the conduct of a democratic election process. You cannot reward thuggery and corruption by engaging in a amnesty process whose basis is meant to serve individual personalistic goals at the expense of nationhood.

Civil societies should use the revamp of the constitution to solidly organise themselves and become more powerful and recognised so as to improve civil vibrancy, that come new elections and a new government they should use their new power to lead prosecution processes.

Its difficult to expect one party to prosecute another party. Down the line, somebody should answer in the dock in Hague why they engaged in such madness. I believe this is not the time to look up to self-anointed intellectuals - they have been a big letdown, Mugabe included, Mbeki, Welshman Ncube, Jonathan Moyo, etc.

At independence, Zimbabwe had the most PhD holders of any Cabinet in the world and they have all been a disgrace. We want leaders with a conscious passion to succeed. Its not about self-interest - honouring Mugabe with power, Tsvangirai an executive position, accommodating Mutambara - its all not endurable in the eyes of the suffering innocent Zimbabweans.
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Edwin
I totally agree with your opinions and that is what most Zimbabweans want.

Some have gone to the extent of saying that we would rather have both Tsvangirai and Mugabe out and have someone from the civil society to lead a transitional authority, which will come up with a new people driven constitution and hold elections within two years.

Even people in the dreaded CIO AND OTHER SECURITY ORGANS are now feeling used and fed up with the situation. People are now deserting the army ,police and other security organs.

We just pray that these things do not prolong and the situation is making it difficult for Companies to plan and make decisions.

Some employees are not reporting for work and you do not ask when they finally come, a lot have left for the streets to change forex and engage in illegal deals and even with the backing of the senior people in government.
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Herbert
The idea of a blanket amnesty does not work and you cannot have that kind of situation and especially after the kind of atrocities that were committed after the March 29 elections.

If they want an amnesty then the amnesty must be accompanied by a truth and reconciliation commission like the one South Africa had that will dig out the truth.

What the commission will do is expose all the people who were behind the murders and displacement of people and if they give truthful accounts then they will not be prosecuted but you just cannot have a blanket amnesty. That will send the wrong message not only to Zimbabwe but to the rest of Africa.

People will want to know who perpetrated all that violence because the same people will be part of whatever government is formed.

I hope MDC will stand firm on this otherwise the agreement will be tainted.
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Edwin
You guys write as if you are in Zim.On Saturday i attended a wedding for the Vice President's daughter where most of the so called Mujuru camp were around, mostly those from Mashonaland East and a few guys from Mash Central.

The issues that were coming out are exactly what you are expressing guys.The feeling was that people need change and if they had a way they would prefer the old man paving way for someone from Zanu (PF) to take a ceremonial presidential role.

The new paper money that was launched on 1 August is quickly disappearing from the banks and people are now getting only coins from banks and I do not know where this will take us.

As for the TRC so many people are guilty and they are afraid.This is an issue which most people from Matabeleland and the Midlands are waiting for and they are saying if the issue is not fully addressed then they will not recognize the talks and its outcome.

Moreover they voted for the opposition on the belief that the Gukurahundi era will be dealt with once and for all.If this is not dealt with, from what is on the ground the we are likely to see more problems emanating from southern Zim.
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Edwin
How come there is no more news and updates on Owatalk? What is the people's opinion on Tsvangirai's accident. It seems only the independent has managed to throw a comment, attacking the position taken by the British and the Americans who were quick to say no foul play is suspected. What are the papers that side saying about this issue.
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Edwin
Retired General Vitalis Zvinavashe passed away yesterday and some Zanu PF members took it as an excuse not to attend Susan Tsvangirai's burial in Buhera. If the attendance at Susan's funeral is anything to go by and the send off rally at the Glamis Stadium them there is need for Zanu PF to think twice and feel guilt at the same time for they have been doing to the people of Zimbabwe.


What the people now need is complete change today not yesterday, such that the feeling among the people is that the two year transition period is too long.


Zanu PF should no longer have anything to do with Zimbabwean politics,surely in the next election they will disappear into oblivion like Unip and Malawi Congress Party.This time around defections from Zanu will be in mass and very real.