Ndola — THE Zimbabwean government is not being fair to President Mwanawasa as chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by heaping abuse on him and then asking him to assist the country.
Chief Government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti also said that Zimbabwe should quickly resolve its problems by holding free and fair elections before talking about the sanctions that have been imposed on that country.
Mr Mulongoti was reacting to allegations by Zimbabwean Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa that president Mwanawasa as the SADC chair was doing nothing to ensure sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe were lifted.
He said it was surprising that the Zimbabwean government had allowed its newspaper, The Herald to heap abuses on President Mwanawasa and at the same time ask him to assist the country.
"The Zimbabweans need to exercise humility and show decency because they cannot insult President Mwanawasa and at the same time ask him to help them because as SADC chair he has done what he can," he said.
The minister of information and broadcasting said in an interview that Zimbabweans should hold the elections and whoever would emerge winner would then talk much about sanctions because to talk about sanctions now may be premature.
He said the issue of sanctions was for Zimbabweans which they understood better.
He said President Mwanawasa from the on-set had done everything possible to help resolve the problems in Zimbabwe and the entire world was watching the situation.
"It is surprising that Mr Chinamasa, the man who lost an election is very vocal and bitter," he said.
Mr Chinamasa was yesterday reported on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) saying that President Mwanawasa as SADC chair had failed to criticise Western-imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.
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Chinamasa's tirade is regretable. President Mwanawasa of Zambia is not the problem in Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans now have to take their own responsibility. Zambia has/is a good neigbor of Zimbabwe. I as a Zimbabwean want to apologize to the people of Zambia for this kind of behaviour. We Zimbabweans need to take some courage and risks and begin to do the things we think our country should do. Look at what is happening to the future President of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai...He has been out of the country for almost a month now. Tsvangirai should be in Zimbabwe fighting for the rights of all zimbabwe. Zimbabweans are busy writing about the problems in zimbabwe and winning awards, but few are willing to fight the issues in zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe is willing to fight to stay in power, so should Morgan Tsvangirai ...Please do not now blame President mwanawasa.
Mr. Phiri's comments about the opposition leader to return to Zim are unfair. He risks his life by returning to Zim. Mugabe is fighting but he has an unfair advantage. He controls police, army, judiciary and secret services. He should give the opposition fair chance to create an equal playing field. He should allow the opposition to advertise on state TV and should have a debate like all civilized world does. He should provide security to opposition leader because now he is rightful leader of the parliament. Only then he should expect the opposition leader to return.
There is no excuse for Tsvangirai continuing to live outside of Zimbabwe. President Mugabe may have all the security and advantages in the poll, but to cower in fear is no mark of a leader. Yes, leaders must be prepared to die for their causes. Nelson Mandela, Mugabe, Joshua Khomo, all were imprisoned for decades because of their freedom work for the majority. None was scared of the colonial types. Zambia and Mozambique housed freedom fighters in their country and were bombed, but not scared of the colonialist and their dictatorship. Otherwise the whining games of blaming others (Tsvangirai blames Mbeki for Zimbabwe situation and now Zanu-pf blames Zambian President Mwnanwasa) in Zimbabwe continues. When is it going to end!!!!!
You'd be happy for him to die wouldn't you Phiri. Then your precious Mugabe could continue blaming the west and the whites for Zimbabwe's problems. You are despicable.
You'd be happy for him to die wouldn't you Phiri. Then your precious Mugabe could continue blaming the west and the whites for Zimbabwe's problems. You are despicable.
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