Mugabe power under threat as troops riot over pay

I came to South Africa from Zimbabwe in 1983. In those days Zimbabwe was rich with food, clean water, health and the infranstructure was absolutely solid. Like it or not good people, this was a carry on over from the 'hated' Musorewa/Smith regime.
A rate of exchange in those days was $Z 1.50c to R1.00.
I illustrate this because Zimbabwe only really started to crumble and reach the state that is in now, 1999 when the people started to choose another political party as opposed to ZANUPF. The Mugabe regime wanted to change the constitution but in a referendum, the people rejected it. This is when Mugabe and his thugs turned on their own people,
There are signs that the African National Congress, with its recent violent rhetoric, is very similar to ZanuPF and will one day turn on the South African people, if it does not get its own way. We must not allow the ANC to acquire complete power. Otherwise one day we will become another Zimbabwe or Somalia.

You are so right Frank one only has to listen to the rhetoric of the likes of Mantashe, Vavi, Malema etc and one realises they have the Zanu-Pf mentality. The fact they never voice any criticiesm of Mugabe confirms the ANC including Zuma and Mbeki are all cut of the same cloth. I believe the formation of COPE is politically a good move and hopefully we will see a significant reduction in the support for the ANC.

Napoleon Bonaparte, that other famous despot, said an army marches on its stomach. Could this major tactical error (not keeping the Zim-Bob-wean army fed and paid) really be the final nail in the coffin of Mugabe and ZANU-PF? Cholera, starvation, torture, anthrax, famine, SADC's butt-kissing, Gordon Brown's cheque, and voting haven't removed those people, so what's left? The army? Somehow I doubt that an army coup is the panacea that Zimbabwe needs to end the hell on earth that is Mugabe's administration.

I just feel that these soldiers can intensify their campaign which will see the monster's leadership coming to an end. Zimbabweans have suffered it's enough, if it was not because of UN's resolution to disallow countries to interfere in their neighbours's affairs, I just hope it was now time for SA to go in there and stabilize the situstion for the sake of ordinary civilians in that country who are dying...

So there IS a level at which the troops will riot!? Man, it sure took a lot! What is Mugabe paying the "riot police" for them to still fire tear gas at their poor comrades?

In SA: How many of COPe's leaders are genuine democrats, though?
If they win (say) 20% and ANC drop down to (say) a "mere" 60%, the ANC will try to co-opt certain of them for posts or tenders (or some form of payment or other).
Maybe what I'm saying is: They're all politicians!

How do we keep them counter-balancing one another, rather than hopping into the sack with whoever drives the bus?
I spose the one certainty is: Try and not have another 70% virtual one-party state!

Despots/dictators normally dont go by themselves but need to be driven from office. Zim is no different and this may be the snowball setting it off. Once the reign of Mugabe is really threatened it is even possible that the SADF may use armed intervenention to prop us his regime. That remains to be seen. If Hitler had fled or capitulated in late 1944, millions of lives would have been saved. But no he had to stay to the bitter end and the country in ruins. I still hope Mugabe gets cold feet and gives in to save the Zimbabweans a lot of misery. But being a despot I dont hold my breath.

The tragedy here is that while Mugabe clings to power, he will only be master of the paper bag that he has blown so much hot air into, while real people who initially voted for him and put their confidence in him are now starving, sick and dying like flies.

This should serve as a lesson to folks in the ANC who have despotic tendencies and sprout similar rhetoric, but i guarantee it will have no effect at all...

Hi Jon, I don't think our forces are strong to prop up anything. We have officers who cheated in their examinations and were still promoted, instead of cashiered. We're short on equipment - since we apparently flog useful stuff to whoever wants to buy it - and our troops have a union, and would probably go on strike.

Our armed forces are a bit of a joke, actually, but an unfunny one.

Mugabe, however, might find that it would have been wiser to stand down and risk trial at the Hague. If his troops get really cheesed off, next time they won't be unarmed - and at least one African dictator was unlucky enough to have his balls removed before he was wheeled (dead by this time) around town in a wheelbarrow.

He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.

The riotous behaviour of the soldiers should be a warning to the powers-be in Harare that the the soldiers are as equality fed-up of the current hardships. Anything is possible. The above observations on the soldiers sum-up the situation.

I will however briefly comment on the Zimbabwe government's declaration not to abide by the ruling by the SADC court that the seizure of white-owned farms was ilegal under international law. I find it interesting in that the Zimbabwe government decides which SADC ruling it should honour and which it should disregard. Hardly two weeks ago Zimbabwe government officials were jubilant that the SADC had ruled that there was to be formed an inclusive government. They ridiculed the MDC(T) for challenging the SADC ruling. Once more the SADC's weakness is being displayed. It is perhaps time that the organise consider suspending and quarranteeing any member who flouts its rulings.

Ja. It was only a matter of time before either the armed forces or the police became fed up over the matter of pay. I recall a friend who'd been an ANC exile in Zimbabwe in the 80s saying seven years ago that eventually the Zim armed forces will revolt, for the reason that there'll be nothing left to pay them with. His fear was that this would lead to brigandage -- the sure sign of a collapsed and lawless state. The UN man's warning re Somalia needs to be taken most seriously indeed by the people in the SADC (if they would only concede that facts reign outside their own make-believe kingdom).

A word in your shell-like, Mr Mugabe: Do you know how Mussolini (plus his mistress) met his death? Ordinary Italian citizens got hold of him and strung him (and his mistress) up. Isn't it time to scarper? Or perhaps there is no place to hide ...

To Citizen Mntu. Politics is not as you are told. There is much more at play. Its like saying South African blacks should never challenge the status quo of land rights? Therefore to cause the South African Blacks from even raising their heads, one has to make sure that Zimbabwe's land transformation does not succeed, those are the facts. Its nothing to do with Mugabe failing to rule, but its about corporatocracy, not democracy. Therefore the challenge to Corporatocracy who own all the land through trust funds, pay huge taxes and run the MNC. If you think ANC rules South Africa because they have the power to make decisions, let me be the first person to wake you up, its not. If you think Tokyo Sexwale, Motsepe and Ramaphosa are wealthy because of their brains, wake up, its not that, these are just being used as fronts.

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6WstddMJZQ

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKPa8m07txg

3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3cJ5IsCt5Q

4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPRJjP7h4Q4

5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNF3NSHDzYM

These are just an inside of what really happens as countries crumble, not because of mismanagement. Riots are controlled by interested parties. Nothing happens without it have been developed by a certain group of corporations, not politicans. The power behind is understanding that Mugabe challenged this and that is why the attack, let ANC talk about meeting the needs of the black South African majority and see what happens. This is How To Destabalize Countries Legally, hopefully you can watch this and then as Africans we can develop, instead of crying for Aid and handouts, those dont work.
2)

To Frank Hartry, how you speak like a master of the races. PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OWj1ZGn4uM

We as a people need to know why Africans are so poor, whilst the continent is so wealthy? Its nothing to do with poor management of politicans or the colour of ones skin, because if it was so, George W.Bush would not have driven the US Economy to the ground, as he did.To say the simply, maybe Mugabe did less damage to the people as George Bush did to the world. Mugabe is being undermined, were as George Bush isnt. Therefore one can conclude that if one is being attacked to stop development, then at the same time call him a failure will be a lie. Zimbabwe and Somalia are two different countries with very completely different challenges. Somalia's President was assassinated, why? Is it that he wanted more money for Ships passing through the Gulf Of Eden? Why is the UN not sending peacekeeping forces to stabilise it since its a failed state? Since UN is very concerned about the wellbeing of Africans, why is the same not sending peacekeeping forces to Darfur Region, but are willing to send European Soldiers to DRC? Now having answered the questions honesty, not baised, is it the same reason why they are wanting to send the UN into Zimbabwe, because some Europeans lost land?

To Ray Miller. Remember history. Any time some one demands what is rightily belongs to them, is democracy, not dictatorship. Please listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7VfbqhQVnk

Why do you think you have the right to play God? Mugabe challenged why should he just seat in a country whilst his people are struggling. Zimbabwe will not collapse, there are those who want it to fail, so that they can say, only white are capable to govern, that is the biggest lie. South African need to wake up, and see that yes, the shops can be full of products, but not independent but slaves in their own country.

Thuthukani Mkhize ,
No one has ever said blacks can't rule if that was the case Abama would not have been voted in as president of the United States .Whjat the world is saying is that this party of cronnies led by Mugabe can't run a country .If having a war criminal is okay for you then G help us all . Mugabe allegedly murdered 20, 000 Ndebele IN THE EARLY NINETIES AND ALLEGEDLY CONTINUES TO ORGANISE MURDER .
I guess this is okay with you then ?
having a zillion percent inflation means you have no understanding of monetry policy which his government has caused .
We are not talk race here , those days are over we are talking humanty , people of all colours , religion who are now dying under this monster ! He will fall from power and he will face war crimes along with his cronnies .This we all will make sure off .

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose" (Africa's theme song)

Mugabe stole farms from hard working Africans, as they were amongst the first to stand against his despot goverment.

Mugabe promised land, now he controls it all.
Mugabe promised food, now those able to feed the nation are elsewhere
Mugabe promised health,and doctors and nurses have left.
Mugabe promised education, the teachers were chased out.
Mugabe promised security, he intimidates all.
Mugabe promised wealth, and everyone is poorer by the hour.


There are 3 500 000 refugees are weighing down other countries, where they are unwelcome.

T. Mkhize i dont know which part of human suffering you dotn quite understand. We cant live in history, we can learn from it yes but it cannot dictate how we are governed in this age. In as much as you are anti European intevention. As a Zimbabwean, I am not saying come take over but as one who has reched the brink of collapse i need help. If it comes from the West then let it be. We cannot reduce the sum of human lives to historical differences. Its not about campaigning for colonisation but we are saying its time to build partnerships that will benefit the people of Zimbabwe.

There is difference between being governed and being auspiced by those that seem to have the practical much needed know how on changing the state of affairs in Zimbabwe. With an inflation rate highest known in the history of the world. It would need all the best available expertise to map out a way forward. T. Mkhize you did not come up with the law of gravity but it affects you all the same. That is not to say the one who deviced the law is controling you is it?

To Thuthukani Mkhize, your comment, please, on the following:

More than one white farmer purchased his farm from Mugabe's own government, and still lost it?

Why did Mugabe's government sell it in the first place to a white if blacks were supposed to have it?

Where I come from, selling something to someone who is buying it in good faith, and then taking it back - often violently - is aggravated theft.

Or is it OK when it happens to a white?

Thuthukani, there is only one guarantee in this column and that is that you will go on sprouting your racist, Africanist and xenophobic philosophies. The failure of African democracy, whether or not their is meddling from other countries (which happens to every country) is a product of the peoples lack of education, personal integrity and courage of their convictions. Africa claims Ubuntu and all sorts of principles of compassion but in practise, its citizens fall prey to all of the racist rubbish the politicians throw at them. They then fall into the hands of totalitarian leaders who must, because their hands are dirty, hold on to power at all costs. How many of these countries and leaders would I have to cite for you to jump off your ideological soapbox. Yes, absolutely let Africans have their rights but with those rights come equal responsibilities. Let the people of Africa exercise them. Zimbabwe is not Mugabe's personal fiefdom to do with as he wants, it belongs to every man, woman and child living in it. It is not to exploited by Mugabe, his cronies, henchmen or war veterans exclusively but be administered for the good of all. It is his responsibility to take care of them at all times and care for them above his own interests. Any hurt to one is a hurt to all; the price of ignoring that principle is the collapse of Zimbabwe.

Here's an interesting aside...

According to IRIN, the UN news service, Mugabe's former Home Affairs minister Dumiso Dabengwa, who resigned some time back and joined the MDC, has warned that the riots and looting could have been staged, as a precursor to Mugabe declaring a state of emergency and clamping down on the opposition - with, naturally, all the usual tripe of them being puppets of the US and UK. See http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/238/87/30948.html.

If the MDC has anything to do with the riotous thing by soldiers recently--they are playing with fire.

An army take over of the country is the last thing that Tsvangirayi should contemplate as this will be counterproductive to him,his white masters and all the Rhodesians bankrolling him.

Believe me,Tsvangirayi wil die a failure and a very miserable man who came so near and yet stayed so far away from power.

Thuthukani, just a moment please! I made a remark about the latest (and long-predicted) matter of Zim soldiers going short of their pay, and I included a speculation on the consequences of this, plus a reference to the UN High Commissioner's quoted concerns.

I said nothing about land policies, and I am wholly in favour of properly and fairly managed land reform in South Africa. Please desist from making irrelevant replies which insinuate that other forumites are reactionary types, or the ignorant dupes of a an evil global corporate 'empire'. Most of us understand perfectly well that business and economy is now 'globalised'; whether this is sinister or innocent is a whole different can of worms to open and stir-fry with garlic and onions. Conspiracy theory may be fascinating, but the Zim situation is a hands-on type of crisis, at least for the present. Make it a topic, sure, but not in unfair response to other's comments.

And Thuthukani, forgive my carrying on, but that post about some sort of 'white' led conspiracy to make Africans (like you and me) subject to an evil empire looks to me like racist paranoia, and it just makes us as Africans look stupid. To what 'empire' do you refer? I know that the term 'imperialism' has now been revived in areas of economic theory that are concerned about global corporatism. But, you know, all economic structures, networks, 'empires', systems, dealings, agreements and 'concords' are subject to change all the time, and also to failure. The same goes of course for ideologies and regimes of governance. (Think of the unspeakable atrocities committed by anti-Semitism over the centuries, let alone in Nazi Germany. Infantile conspiracy theories about threats of economic domination played no small part in this enduring shame. Do you know that the now-extinct National Party in SA subscribed at one time to the rubbish about 'The Protocols of Zion'? And do you think that lot of ravening racist nationalists were right to have done so?

At present we are watching a grand failure, and this is almost completely global. Other global shake-ups will follow. Just as a new order is at last emerging in Southern Africa -- i.e. SA and Zim -- a whole new global picture is quietly preparing. Fear not, the era of large-scale institutionalism is going to pass. Then, of course, we will lose some of our favourite monsters-under-the-bed, and will find that we ourselves have to acknowledge and take responsibility for ourselves, our countries and our societies. Falsity will always appear and and vanish like the mist, while truth will always emerge as solid and enduring as a rock. Nationalism itself is one of this fallen world's great falsities, no less in its destructiveness and evil than racism and ethnicism.

Phineas, the UN news service and I, for that matter, NOT saying the MDC organised the riots and looting. WE ARE QUOTING A FORMER MINISTER OF MUGABE'S CABINET WHO RECKONS MUGABE MIGHT HAVE ORGANISED IT.

ie, MUGABE is behind the riots and looting so that he can claim an emergency and decalre a state of emergency.

To Citizen Mntu, its is great to be practical and positive. What I know is that most of the whites who are farming in Zimbabwe are there. In a globalised economics, no country can operate separately, so when you hear about targetted Sanctions of Mugabe and his cronies, we need to be aware what the means. When Government institutions are put on sanctions, sends a message which tells us otherwise. An uprising is stirred by agitating the masses to rise up against the government. Look if you are serious, we can arrange for you to come over to Zimbabwe and I will personal take you around the farming communities, and you can get the inside story, first handed. There are so many white farmers working in Zimbabwe, including the ones who have returned fromas far as Australia and Nigeria, that are farming near me. I grow flower which are going to Holland everyday, and have pivot irrigation system which cover 70 Hectares and have 10 of them. These were purchased in 1984, way before land aquisitions by the government. There is so much bais when it comes to the farming areas. The rural areas which were previously reversed for Africans should remain as such, but not to show those areas as if these areas were the commercial farming areas. This is what is sad, because its not honesty. If something is wrong I will be the first person to say so. What is important is to know the truth should be colourless, simply the truth. But what is shown on television is not the truth, but just entertainment as if we are not capable to farm. This is what is annoying.