SW Radio Africa (London)
Tichaona Sibanda
24 December 2008
The South African government has gone against its word and provided the regime in Harare with farming inputs, forming part of the 300 million rand package it promised to dispense only when a unity government was in place. But Zimbabwe's agriculture Minister Rugare Gumbo confirmed to the state media this week that farming inputs forming part of the aid package had arrived in the country.
This contravenes the conditions of the aid that were outlined in September when the plan was announced, which said the R300m in aid was conditional upon the successful formation of a unity government between Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the two factions of the MDC.
South Africa has also failed to explain why and how inputs have been given to the regime, when they announced back in September that they would only provide funds through aid agencies and Non Governmental Organisations.
Responding to what it called 'confusing reports in the media' South African government spokesperson Thabo Masebe confirmed that they were providing the aid to Zimbabwe. He however said it would be released through new SADC mechanisms that were announced last week and they were satisfied that it would reach the intended recipients in a non-partisan manner. He did not explain the Zimbabwe state media reports that said the aid was already there.
It is well known that Mugabe uses food aid as a political tool and blocks it's distribution to areas that voted for the MDC in the March elections. Farming inputs are also distributed in a partisan manner, given only to ZANU PF card carrying members.
MDC MP for Mbare in Harare, Piniel Denga, told us they 'smelt a rat' when it was announced during last week's ZANU PF conference in Bindura that their supporters would get a Christmas bonus of farming inputs.
'Since we knew they lacked the capacity to buy these inputs we just wondered where the goods would come from, but now we know thanks to the state media. The South African government can never be trusted on issues concerning ZANU PF, they protect and look after their interests,' Denga claimed.
The legislator added; 'What the South Africans should know is that by giving inputs like fertilizer to ZANU PF is as good as sprinkling it along the mighty Zambezi river - just wait and see.'
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Knowing how corrupt Bob is he must be waving a few notes under someones eyes in South Africa
It is ok if the aid will help the country but knowing Zanu PF they would pretend as though its coming from their own pockets, poor souls. But knowing the majority of the beneficiaries implements will end up being sold at Mbare Musika. Madinga anenge asina mari manje.
The Government of South Africa knows that its struggle---the LAND QUESTION---is Zimbabwe's.
Moreover, Zimbabwe has taken concrete steps towards the resolution of the land question: take it by FORCE from the thieving 'rhodies' who stole it AB INITIO from the Africans.
It is quite obvious that South African has done nothing about the land question. And, when she does, she will have to face the archaic attitudes of the REACTION in the neo-imperial West.
Look, Cdr. Mugabe may die tomorrow; the land question will not die with him---sorry, 'rhodies'.
Moreover, the Zimbabwean problem is only tangentially related to the formal, easily manipulable 'principles' of 'democracy'.
We view 'democracy' as a FALSIFIABLE THEORY OF INTERSUBJECTIVE INTERACTION; A FACT, IT AIN'T, IN OUR VIEW. Acccordingly, dogmatic appeals to 'democractic principles' reveals the theoretical ignorance of the dogmatists in London and Washington.
Hence, the issue is not about democracy at all.
No, No, and No again: it is all about THE LAND AND NOTHING ELSE BESIDES.
Cdr. Mugabe hit them where it really hurts: zone land.
AND THE LAND WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER A ZILLION TIMES REVERT.
Merry Christmas from OPERATION LAND TENURE IN THE CITY OF LAND MATTERS, HARARE.
Jabbajaw....."Zimbabwe has taken concrete steps towards the resolution of the land question: take it by FORCE from the thieving 'rhodies' who stole it AB INITIO from the Africans"....Idiot, where did the Rhodies take it when they stole it? Who got rich? where did the money come from that built the infrastructure of hospitals,schools, cities with cleanwater and power,employment and opportunities for all that was in such good shape when it was democratically handed over to all people of Zimbabwe.Who stole that eh?
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There is shocking lack of accountability everywhere in the region. Birds of a feather flock together. South African voters should take note and ensure their leaders are accountable, before theybecome more and more like their allies in Harare.