SW Radio Africa (London)
Violet Gonda
19 December 2008
MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai has threatened to 'suspend' power sharing negotiations with Robert Mugabe if the campaign of terror against opponents does not stop and if those who have been abducted are not released or brought to court by 01 January.
It had been reported that there were at least 26 missing people but in a shocking revelation, the Prime Minister designate said more than 42 members of the MDC and civil society have been abducted in the past two months and their whereabouts are still unknown.
"The MDC can no longer sit at the same negotiating table with a party that is abducting our members and other innocent civilians, and refusing to produce any of them before a court of law," Tsvangirai told reporters in Gaborone, Botswana on Friday.
"Therefore, if these abductions do not cease immediately, and if all the abductees are not released or charged in a court of law by January 1st 2009, I will be asking the MDC's National Council to pass a resolution to suspend all negotiations and contact with Zanu PF."
There are mixed reactions to the MDC ultimatum. Most people say it's about time Tsvangirai put his foot down and demanded the release of his supporters, but they are astonished that he has given Mugabe nearly two weeks to release them. The victims will spend the Christmas period in the hands of a brutal regime, if they are still alive, and family members will still have the agony of not knowing the fate of their loved ones.
Glen Mpani, a political commentator said: 'Furthermore, if nothing happens by January 1st what will the MDC do - walk away and do what? Hopefully there is a solid plan B. The MDC needs to be careful not to play into Mugabe's hands, who might be creating circumstances to govern on the basis of an MDC withdrawal."
Commentators say given the fact that the country is now run on pure brutality, co-ordinated by the army generals, it is unlikely that ZANU PF will accede to the ultimatum and as usual this will be followed by inaction from the African Union and SADC - the guarantors of the power sharing deal.
As the MDC leader gave the ultimatum, reports were filtering in that the army and police had erected road blocks just north of Masvingo on Harare the road, looking for activists. Local pastors reported that full searches of people and vehicles were being conducted. More evidence to show the regime is continuing with its reign of terror.
ZANU PF has been denying any knowledge of the whereabouts of the missing political and civic activists, but revealed last weekend that it had "compelling evidence" allegedly tying Botswana to the training of 'MDC bandits' to unconstitutionally unseat the government.
On Thursday SADC Executive Secretary Tomaz Salomao confirmed receiving a dossier from the Mugabe regime that included video evidence on alleged MDC 'militia training' in Botswana.
However the MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti said earlier in the week that his party was aware that the regime had DVDs of alleged confessions by MDC activists, in an attempt to justify imposing a state of emergency.
The outspoken Secretary General said several of their activists abducted in the last few months had clearly been tortured into making confessions about the 'military training'.
A commentator said: "If SADC indeed does have that video, and considering the anguish of the missing people's families, and given that the Harare High Court has issued several orders for these people to be produced, is there not something SADC can do? At least share information with the families that their loved ones are still alive?"
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I agree with you "Be Free" get rid of the scum mugabe and regime and Zimbabwe will rebuild into an amazing country!
The scum to be removed includes the clueless Tsvangirayi who believes power comes from Mugabe and not the people. The people have given him the power that he should be exercising to protect his people but he still expects Mugabe to give him the power. Pathetic.
Append to the tail MT, "Be free" and "the west," a sordid and repulsive troika.
I now baptize MT a "rhodesian." MT is a rhodesian: what a spectacle!
Cheers from the City of Erudition, Harare.
Jalahlow try and be sensible don’t express your misery at the expense of suffering Zimbabweans. Could you also be decent enough not keep insulting Zimbabweans as though their needs and wishes are led by your funny ideas. Urimhondi ka iwe? Can you honestly convince me that your hands free from blood of innocent Zimbabweans?
Jallohlaw,what is it that you see?...What correct way of wisdom or conduct is it, that makes you think anything positive will come of your ridiculous postings?Offensive , sometimes racist,ignorant,dangerously arrogant and venal applause for the mercilous tyranny against the people of Zimbabwe?? Women, children and men of good heart are suffering beatings, starvation ,disease, torture and death, because drongos like you and your compassionless mates are cheering on the ghouls.As a matter of fact I think all of your comments should be screened against inciting hatred. So JabbaJaw get a worthwhile life
The Zimbabwean health system collapsed and Jallohlaw has not been taking his psychotic medications, please ignore him, he is highly disturbed.
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