Voting in the Diaspora

In 2000 Zimbabwe (Mugabe) stripped those living in the diaspora the right to vote. Their main reason for this was they had been corrupted by foreign media, so in their eyes this was going to be the “Swing Vote”, so how else to avoid a defeat. They withdraw that right and Zimbabwean Nationals abroad are refused to take part in choosing their own Leadership and Government. As long as you are a citizen of Zimbabwe you should have the right to vote regardles of where you are in the world, what happens in Zimbabwe affects Zimbabweans all over the world if not directly then via their families.

Over the years those in the Diaspora has contributed immensely to the Zimbabwean economy through various ways and has kept the country going during the dark days. The Zimabwean government recognised the power and the contributions of those abroad and decided against them taking part in the country’s elections.

After withdrawing the right to vote for those overseas the government was not quiet about the issue, their response was “Come back home and Vote”, a typical bully way of ZANU dealing with such issues. Most Democratic governments will simply allow all their citizens all over the world the right to vote with out being difficult because that is what happens in a democracy.

Zimbabweans overseas have been accused of being influenced by the “oneside” foreign media and how this can affect the way they vote. These are really shallow statesments on the government’s part as those in the diaspora are in contact with family and friends back home and do not have to rely on the media for current affairs. Foreign media does not know about my cousins not going to school or my great-aunt dying from lack of proper healthcare and my family suffering from human rights injustices. Those overseas are affected so surely they should have the right to decide who they employ. If those in the Diaspora are not backing ZANU PF or the new diluted formation it is not because of the BBC, NBC, CNN, ABC or Al Jazeera it is because of the way they are handling the country’s affairs. The government should not forget that they work for US, the people of Zimbabwe.

I urge the GNU to revisit this issue, we cannot rebuild a nation leaving out some of its citizens you can’t ignore the number of Zimbabweans who are living outside of Zimbabwe. Diasporeans are an important part of this jigsaw. As funny as it may Sound ZANU PF has “supporters” in the Diaspora and I am sure they would like to to be included in the electoral system (or maybe not as they know the outcome).

 If Justice Gorge Mutandwa Chiweshe (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission - ZEC Chairperson) wants his organisation to contribute to rebuilding Zimbabwe in a democratic way the Diaspora Electoral Bill should be revised.

Any Zimbabwean who was educated in the system prior to Mugabe’s madness would tell you how they were proud of the Education they recieved. Now its a shame the schools are there but not much is going on. We always say our children are our future but in this case they are not priority. This is the time when the Government should make sure that amidst all the madness at least the schools are open and the kids are looked after. This is the birth of the Lost Generation, this government will stop at nothing till the country is buried. The Main reason why the schools stay shut is funding from the government, nothing new in Zimbabwe funds have been diverted and this was not for a good reason. Grade 7  results are still not out as the markers have not been paid, the excuses go on and on.

Private schools were immune to some of the outrageous excuse from the Mugabe’s Government as they managed to stay operational but this January Mugabe has decide to send in the Army and make sure they stay shut untill he gives the word. Yes people the Army,  just a few months ago they were at the recieving end now thay are making sure kids don’t make it to school anyone seen to give the go ahead on opening schoo;s risks jail time or the norm a good beeating. Private schools have been a sore subject in Zimbabwe over the years, most if not all are self funded and there should be no reason why they should remain shut if the problem is cash flow to the Government funded schools. I guess this is a way of getting back to them and reminding then that this is Zimbabwe and you cannot show too much independence or self governance.

Just when you think it cant get any worse than this Bob pulls one from under you, who would have thought the leader of a country would allow such to go on  in their own country.

We all know this is part of Robert Mugabe Grand destructive plan, they misappropriate funds dont open schools distrupt the Academic year, dont pay the teachers, shut down some schools, semd in the armyto intinidate those that are able to operate that way no one goes to school and no one gets a proper education and no new people with bright ideas to take over from him. What is going to become kids of this generation without a proper education, struggling economy and no faith in the in the system.

Morgan Tsvangirai has recently written to Mr Mbeki expressing his concerns over the support Mr Mbeki has shown to the currernt Presient of Zimbabwe and I say to him has he forgotten how these issues are dealt with in African Politics. Two lessons “Prime Minister” Tsvangirai has got to learn quick;

1. Politics is a dirty Game

2. Mr Thabo Mbeki is indebted to Mr Robert Mugabe (a bit of history there The name Govan Mbeki comes to mind)

Mr Mbeki took his sweet time to react to the plight of the Zimbabwean people, the whole time Mugabe and ZANU PF were destroying the country he did not seem bothered as his country was benefiting at the time, so with this in mind why would Mr Tsvangirai think that Mr Mbeki was going to deliver him Zimbabwe or half of Mugabe’s Powers. I have prevously pointed out that Mr Tsvangirai’s hunger for power clouded his own judgement he took no precations and went into this with his eye closed. Did he seriously think Thabo Mbeki was going to play fair, this is how Mugabe works. I would not even have allowed Mr Mbeki to listen in own the “Power-Sharing” discussions let alone have him chair the whole negotiations. It was doomed from the begining and the Prime Minister is partly to blame.

Mugabe has been in Power for 28 years not because of his love for free and fair elections or his Power-sharing skills, he has been in Power all these years because Mugabe and ZANU will ot let anyone else Govern the country even if that calls for stepping on peoples toes. The Prime Minister has accused the President of Power grabbing by holding onto the key Ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Local Government, Defence and Home Affairs and I say he right to moan about these, But take stand back the minute you hand one of these ministiries over to the opposition  handing over some of your Power and do you see Mugabe doing that…..NO

To you Prime Minister I say there are reasons why Mugabe agreed to this deal with Mbeki involved and before signing you should have asked yourself a number of questions. There are very few people in the world who have volunterily agreed to share power and I hate to say Robert Mugabe’s name is not going to be added onto this list. Your naivety torwards this whole issue has left me wondering, thinking – did you honestly think you were going to get a fair deal.

Over the years Mugabe and ZANU PF have used these key ministries to further their own gains, using organisations such as the ZRP, instead of working for the people this organisation has been  under ZANU control for years. I can give a million reasons why MDC is not going to get the Ministry of Home Affairs, handing them over will be letting them in on the movements of the ZANU PF Party and that is not going to happen. These organisations have been working hand in hand with the Ruling Party for them to hand it over a lot restructuring will take place before this happens.

Oh Yes I am back had gone away but I’m back while Mugabe and Tsvangirai were locked away “talking ” I decided to take a break.  The deal was brokered on Monday and I am still not feeling right about this one, I can’t put my finger on it but give me time I am sure if I/We don’t work it out something is going to happen and the first words out of me …you guessed it I told you so….There is quite a few combination factors that makes the deal not feel right and are there for all too see (Pease feel free to add your in the comments).

Was Mugabe backed into a corner  - Mugabe spent so many years destroying the Nation that we all love and was adamant he will never sit down with the opposition, he was so sure he was the only candidate in the run-off elections, so what has made him come together and accept this, hmmmm. I can tell you this it was not Mbeki that slime-ball could not organise a piss-up in a brewery let alone bring two warring factions and get them to run the country together. The sooner South Africans realise and give him his pension fund the better they will be viewed by the rest of the world. This is not like Bob to give in, he has upset all 100 of the Zanu supporters and the ghost voters that stood behind him earlier in the year, giving in to the demands of the opposition. One thing I know for sure is that Zimbabwe was no longer on its knees, the country was knocking Grave Yard’s door thanks to the old man and his policies and sanctions were on their way (You know how Britain & USA get you to behave when you ‘ve been bad) and these would have just tipped things over for the worst so Bobo tried to avoid this by smooching the opposition, that way the two parties are seen as getting along  and all is left alone, besides he knows he does not have to put up with this front for too long, he is keeping the powers that really rule in Africa you piss him off [well fill in the dots]……………….

As for Prime Minister Morgan was it his drive to be in some sort of Power position that drove him to this deal, is it a good deal for the people of Zimbabwe only time will tell. The victor in this case is undoubtbley Robert Mugabe the people voted him out and he pulled a fast one and is still in Power . Is Mugabe going to let The Prime Minister have some sort of decisive Power , we all know he is not that stupid. ZANU PF will no longer have the monopoly of power as they have lost control of Parliament and Cabinet but Bob is still at the top. Let’s not forget for Tsvangirai this is a promotion and he shown it in recent weeks he has sort–of made it to the position he has suffered for and as for Bob the speech he delivered on Monday was an indication of how he still feels lets just say he mentioned the opposition , Colonial powers, Britain and America. He cannot get away from this, a man in his position should know the world is now a global village and life would be much easier if we all get along…………..Remember only time will tell.

Why Robert Why Please go, you have proved that you can be tough one to crack but your time is nigh.

Sorry folks I have been glued to the airwaves, not much is happening after the elections but you cannot miss out on a briefing. MDC did better than ever before proving they are a clear threat to the current regime but we all know Mugabe and ZANU are not going to give in just like that, they are not going to hand over power just like that. MDC should have been better prepared; they know there is nothing like a fair and free election. Personally I was surprised that there was violence leading to the elections it was too good to be true, War vets (are they still around) and Youth Militia are normally employed to encouraged the masses to turn out and vote for Mugabe. It is widely believed that come 2^nd round they will be out in full force for the inevitable reinstatement of the lifelong President. MDC has done well but well is not good enough when you are up against such, ZANU is accusing them of cheating (Pot and kettle comes to mind) and would like the votes recounted in some areas is this all a gimmick to delay matters while they regroup to really show that they are not going anywhere. Zanu is taking time delaying all, pulling resources together and all they can to stop MDC from move into the State House. I can tell you now it will take a miracle to stop this regime going back into Power, over the years Mugabe has led his country in all sorts of hardship to prove to the west that he is going to die in Power and no one is going to stop him, conceding to MDC is not part of his plan he will not let the West have their way with him it’s a case of “Come and Get Me”. If Zanu and Mugabe force their way to stay in will there be foreign intervention to free the people of Zimbabwe.

  Zimbabwe was on the brink of change and looking forward to moving on but was this just part of the plan as all is now in limbo and no one knows what is going on. After all Zimbabweans have been through one would think that Mugabe was not going to get any votes let alone this to go for a 2^nd round.  In the past the opposition has been accused of being disorganised and not being up to the challenge, many believed they were not a threat to the ruling party but come on people can things get any better under the current Regime, new blood is needed.