Madhuku says the power share government is a circus

By Violet Gonda
26 February 2009

The outrageous infringements of the power sharing deal by the Mugabe regime were clearly exposed on Wednesday when human rights defenders were arrested and beaten, threats to farmers continued and Mugabe announced a list of permanent secretaries, all from ZANU PF.

The outspoken chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Dr Lovemore Madhuku, described the inclusive government as a ‘circus’ and said the power sharing deal was an inappropriate way of dealing with the complex Zimbabwe crises. He said Mugabe does not know how to share power and it is impossible to achieve the kind of real change that Zimbabweans yearn for, in this kind of arrangement.

Madhuku said not only is Mugabe treating Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai like a junior partner but the human rights abuses are continuing as if nothing has changed.

Police on Wednesday violently broke up a WOZA demonstration beating protesters and arresting several activists. And despite a SADC ruling barring ZANU PF officials from grabbing protected farms, Nathan Shamuyarira’s nephew gave farmer Mike Campbell until 5pm to vacate his farm.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai held a press conference on Wednesday and said the rule of law continues to be flouted in Zimbabwe, where farm invasions continue unabated and in contravention of the Memorandum of Understanding. He said this was now “undermining our ability to revive our agricultural sector and restore investor confidence.”

Tsvangirai also said despite the Principals agreeing “that all political detainees who have been formally charged with a crime should be released on bail and those that have not been charged should be released unconditionally. This has not yet happened.”

Some of the political prisoners are in leg irons and shackled at the Avenues Clinic, the other group is incarcerated in filthy cells at Chikurubi. Rights lawyers say at least 10 others are still missing after they were abducted by state agents from their homes several months ago.

Furthermore, despite the fact that the MDC has not accepted his appointment, the controversial Attorney General, Johannes Tomana continues to play a significant role in interfering and abusing the detainees’ quest for freedom.

Tsvangirai said: “As long as these matters remain unresolved, it will be impossible for the transitional government to move forward with the reforms that this country so desperately needs.”

However Dr Madhuku was highly critical of the new Prime Minister’s statement. He said; “The fact that he held a press conference to complain shows that he has no power, because if he had any power he would have been sitting somewhere and actually exercising that power and we would see things changing.”

The NCA Chairman said if Mugabe was interested in real change and Tsvangirai had power, political detainees would have been released, new faces would be seen as permanent secretaries and police officers would start behaving differently and not abuse ordinary citizens.

“But you cannot say you are in power if all you do is to go and have a press conference and tell us the problems that everyone knows,” said the outspoken critic.

As the game of politics continues to be played in Zimbabwe, questions are being asked about the role of the regional body – the guarantors of this controversial Zimbabwean deal. Where is SADC in all this and who can pressure SADC and South Africa, to force compliance?