13 May 2008
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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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.
It is not suprising to hear TRASH as has come out of a so called Leader in the Mugabe regime, it gives us all a feel of what it means to have mediocre leaders, they will always blame others for their own failures. On the whole, the Mugabe led reqime has been so ungrateful to the Zambian people in general, forgetting how Zambia lost its beloved citizens and property during their struggle for indipendence. Crossing the Zimbambwean border for most Zambians has been a time when they saw what humiliation means. This kind of treatment from people one has served and supported is indeed very saddening, as can be seen, The Zambian President has done his best at times withoutmost restraint to help the Zimbabweans! Please Mr. Chinamisa and your cohorts, leave the SADC Chairman alone, if you want to negotiate for help do it in a civilised manner. This teaches you that you should respect your neighbors! Clean up your mess and let your children come back home after a second generation exile, all your neighbors are now getting fed up of looking after your children, see what your greed is doing to them down south! To blame it on Sanctions? indeed!!!!
It is not suprising to hear TRASH as has come out of a so called Leader in the Mugabe regime, it gives us all a feel of what it means to have mediocre leaders, they will always blame others for their own failures. On the whole, the Mugabe led reqime has been so ungrateful to the Zambian people in general, forgetting how Zambia lost its beloved citizens and property during their struggle for indipendence. Crossing the Zimbambwean border for most Zambians has been a time when they saw what humiliation means. This kind of treatment from people one has served and supported is indeed very saddening, as can be seen, The Zambian President has done his best at times withoutmost restraint to help the Zimbabweans! Please Mr. Chinamisa and your cohorts, leave the SADC Chairman alone, if you want to negotiate for help do it in a civilised manner. This teaches you that you should respect your neighbors! Clean up your mess and let your children come back home after a second generation exile, all your neighbors are now getting fed up of looking after your children, see what your greed is doing to them down south! To blame it on Sanctions? indeed!!!!
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.