Letter

Dear Sir

SHAME ON YOU You have announced that, in your view, the Elections were "legitimate". What we, the people of Zimbabwe have asked is "were they free and fair"? You were obligated and tasked with assessing the situation on the ground and the very future of this country was, and is, in your hands. Zimbabweans trusted you and your team to be honest and fair and we had hoped that you, as representatives of South African society, believe in the true principles of fair play, democracy and human rights.

We ask you, where are the mass celebrations in Zimbabwe today? Why are there 1400 MDC workers and activists presently in jail? Why were most of these MDC members arrested for carrying out their democratic right and duty in manning and monitoring polling stations and following ballot boxes? Why were over one million extra people registered? Why were 1 ½ million additional ballot papers printed? Why was there a meeting at Zanu Headquarters on Sunday morning to arrange the deployment of additional stuffed ballot boxes? Why is that we have film of a truck loaded with ballot boxes and Zanu militia travelling into the rural areas at night? Why was a Zanu Task Force set up in the preceding days to fill out ballot papers? Why was access to the Voters Roll denied to opposition parties? Why was the total machinery of the state, uniformed forces, equipment, civil servants and the tax payers money utilised by the ruling party. Why were there no arrests as a result of the 140 murders, the thousands of rapes, the horrendous torture and intimidation - over 70000 human rights abuses that have been documented. Why were the turnouts as high as 96% in areas of the country where the opposition monitors were denied access or chased away? Why were there some urban polling stations recording only 14% turnout? Why was the Public Order and Security Act passed, which amongst many other things, makes it illegal for 2 people to discuss politics without 4 days written notice?

Did you consider examining the signed and sworn Affidavits of opposition Election Agents who were abducted, beaten and at times detained? Are you aware of the deliberate ethnic cleansing taking place in Zimbabwe, or do you turn the other cheek. Did you consider the fact that the Government of the day ignores its own courts that seek to defend democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe? Did you consider that SADCC principals were violated, the Constitution flouted and the media suppressed? Did you take note of the records and statements of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network who denounced the outcome?

You say "the opposition actively participated in the Elections". It was not allowed access to radio and television. Its members were repeatedly detained, beaten, tortured and, raped and murdered. Oppressive legislation virtually made it impossible to campaign freely. Volunteers, who believed in Democracy, risked their lives attempting to spread the word of the opposition. Why were they forced to campaign at night ?

One could go on for ever and ever but just to summarise one tiny area of this country centered around and to the north of Chiredzi. The figures represent a huge victory for Zanu and yet if you would take the time and trouble to visit them, you would find the complete opposite on the ground. Ten Polling Stations in Zaka alone were unattended by the opposition because all of the polling agents and officials were detained and remain in prison. The election agents and other personnel have been seriously beaten and remain in custody.

May your conscience remain with you as history unfolds in Zimbabwe. You have betrayed the people of this country, you have betrayed Africa and South Africa. When will those of us that claim to be democrats ever stand up for what is right in order to crush evil. When will Africa understand that democracy is the fundamental basis for Peace and Prosperity. You have brought shame upon us all. May you go home and remember how you have sold, in your selfishness and foolishness, so cheaply, the people of Zimbabwe.