Statement by Morgan Tsvangirai to the people of Zimbabwe

Thanks so much for ''unlocking'' my blog.....it has been locked for so long and I could not post anything....

Anyway welcome back......

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Here is a statement that Morgan Tsvangirai made to the people of Zimbabwe regarding the so called ''talks'' after Mutambara had signed a deal with ''mugabe and the generals''...oh yeah Mutambara is a complete zanu pf stooge...he was ''placed'' by zanu pf to do their work for them of splitting and keeping a split MDC and when the need arose he would help zanu pf and the generals cling on to power which he did yesterday by signing a deal with them.....

And way here is MT's message to the people.......

Statement to the People of Zimbabwe
13 August 2008

My Fellow Zimbabweans:

The Movement for Democratic Change has always been a people’s project. We seek nothing but the best interests of the people of our country.

Tragically, Zimbabwe has become one of the worst man-made humanitarian disasters of a new and hopeful century. At least two million Zimbabweans have already fled our homeland. An estimated half million Zimbabweans have already died of starvation, malnutrition and preventable disease.

Because of the failed policies of ZANU PF, five million Zimbabweans now face starvation and famine. We cannot allow this to happen. All of us must provide decisive leadership.

My Fellow Zimbabweans, on March 29 you voted for change. You have been clear. We will not betray you. In this respect, the MDC entered these negotiations full of hope. We put aside our grievances and reached out to ZANU PF for the good of the people.

However, any dialogue to save our country must take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance underpinned by our shared patriotism and desire to stop the suffering, and build a prosperous future for our children.

Let me be clear, MDC entered these negotiations seeking a transformative and healing solution to the deep-seated political and economic crisis facing our country. Our objective is simple – a peaceful resolution to the crisis that respects the will of the people.

The MDC remains committed to participating in any meaningful and genuine dialogue that urgently moves this process forward.

We knew negotiations would be difficult, but a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country. We are committed to a solution that recognizes that the people spoke on the 29th of March 2008 - a solution that ensures tangible deliverables are put on the table of Zimbabweans. A solution must thus put the people first, not leadership positions and titles.

Our members of parliament and councilors, indeed Zimbabweans of all political persuasions, are part of the transformative process. We need a government that transfers power to the elected representatives of the people to carry out the people’s mandate for change.

In the immediate days ahead, we have a historic opportunity to choose between hope or hatred, cooperation or conflict, prosperity or poverty, the will of the people or selfish interests. In short, we seek a new Zimbabwe that will provide food, jobs, dignity and healing to all our people.

To accomplish this, we need to look forward together. Only by working together can we transform our society. Only by working together can we rebuild our nation.

Although there are many dimensions to our crisis, there is one immediate and urgent step that is required:

Our people continue to face a profound humanitarian crisis. We know you are suffering. Without further delay, we are demanding that NGOs be allowed to resume humanitarian assistance – distributing food, medicines and life-saving assistance. This destructive policy of banning humanitarian assistance can be reversed with one letter.

The Zimbabwean problem is an African problem that requires an African solution. This weekend’s SADC Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg is yet another opportunity for our African brothers and sisters to offer us a hand at this decisive moment. In his role as facilitator and as incoming SADC Chairman, President Thabo Mbeki must insist on ensuring that the Zimbabwean issue is put to rest. Most importantly, President Mbeki must ensure that humanitarian assistance is resumed immediately. In addition, civic society that has been barred must be allowed to operate.

We hope that as facilitator, President Mbeki will ensure that the issues that continue to divide us at the negotiation table are resolved as soon as possible. Creativity, leadership and vision is essential in this delicate stage.

In closing, let me reiterate three points – first, we have always been committed to dialogue as the only way to resolve the current political impasse; second, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that upholds the will of the people; and third, we remain urgently concerned about the humanitarian crisis and ask for President Mbeki and SADC’s immediate assistance in securing the resumption of aid to our starving, sick and dying people.

I thank you.

May God Bless Zimbabwe.

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MORE OF ''THE GENERALS'' STAMPS AND DEATH BLOWS.

Ongoing Abuses by ZANU-PF and Government-Backed Militias and “War Veterans”

While levels of violence have decreased since the June 27 presidential runoff, Human Rights Watch remains seriously concerned by ongoing rights abuses in some parts of the country. ZANU-PF and its allies continue to use camps and bases to beat and torture perceived MDC activists and supporters. With certain parts of the country such as Mashonaland East, West and Central still not accessible to NGOs and the media, it is likely that the intimidation and violence documented in this report are only a small sample of the actual cases that have occurred.

For example, on July 17 a group of ZANU-PF supporters and “war veterans” severely assaulted police officer Kingswell Muteta in Mudzi, Mashonaland East province. Muteta was visiting Mudzi to see his mother who had recently been assaulted by the same group of supporters and “war veterans.” The “war veterans” and supporters accused Muteta of visiting MDC supporters and sympathizing with them. They took Muteta to a base in Mudzi called Chimukoko and brutally beat him. Muteta was admitted at Kotwa hospital in Mashonaland East and later transferred to Avenues clinic in Harare where he died on July 25 from injuries sustained during the beating. Four other victims assaulted at the base by the “war veterans” and supporters were hospitalized at a private hospital in Harare and remain in serious condition.

READ MORE HERE...... Ongoing Abuses by ZANU-PF





Before any resolution, Zimbabwe first needs justice.


Talks in Zimbabwe aimed at breaking the political deadlock in that country cannot succeed unless the human rights violations that are the root cause of the crisis are addressed.

Lead mediator President Thabo Mbeki and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders should press Zimbabwe's leadership to address crucial human rights issues prior to any transitional government arising from the current negotiations.

The government of Zimbabwe has committed and continues to commit serious crimes. Multiple Human Rights Watch interviews with witnesses ranging from newly elected MDC MPs, councillors, activists, perceived MDC supporters and others demonstrate the serious nature of abuses committed by these militias. They include killings, beatings, abductions and torture.

Despite ongoing negotiations between the two parties, horrific abuses continue. Hundreds of MDC activists who fled the violence before the 27 June runoff remain in hiding while "war veterans" and youth militia continue to terrorise villagers in the rural areas. According to local non-governmental organisations, Zanu-PF and its allies have been implicated in the killing of at least 163 people and the beating and torture of more than 5,000 people over the past three months. Thirty-two of these people were killed after the 27 June runoff, and two since the two parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding. The government has made little effort to dismantle the torture camps that it established in the immediate aftermath of the 29 March elections.

READ MORE HERE..... Zimbabwe first needs justice