ZIM PRETORIA EMBASSY DEMO:21/02/2008 (REPORT BY MR LUKE ZUNGA)

21 02 2008

Today I participated in a demo organized by the revolutionary youth. Many people attended including journalists from as far as Canada and Germany .

I was humbled that so may people attended. Taking into account that a similar demo is going on in the USA at the Zimbabwe embassy, I think the message is delivered. Our message was that the Diaspora Civic Society organizations, and many others, will not recognize the result of an election in Zimbabwe where we did not participate.

Some people argue whether it is necessary to do these demos on this question of Diaspora vote, since it is unlikely to be heeded to at this stage. Le me say that,

South Africa and SADC want to paint success of the negotiating process and that the Zimbabwe question will be settled by a free and fair election. Indeed they state that all the issues for negotiating were agreed to and the difference is timing of implementation, with Mugabe preferring to implement after the elections and rest are either docile, unclear or going along. One MDC faction was clear that there was no agreement and preferring to implement the items agreed before the elections.

Mugabe cannot agree to pre-election implementation as he will lose control of the rural people and the electoral system. SADC want a free and fair election as the starting point for their assertion that the Zimbabwe question is resolved. So the elections will be held. Mugabe is likely to force a win, then turn to SADC that he is ready to implement what was agreed at the negotiations, and demanding an economic rescue package in exchange for him stepping down by handing power to his chosen successor under provisions of constitutional amendment 18. SADC will announce that all issues are resolved and the Zimbabwe question is cleared off their desks. The objection of MDC will be ascribed as puppet.

What it means is that Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, particularly in SADC, will now be asked to go back to their country. Forced to go back on UN trucks lined to load people with their meagre belongs. Mote than a million people will be dumped on Zimbabwe , with no economic hope. SADC and South Africa will cancel all arrangements currently negotiated for the Diaspora. These are

Petition for SADC to give Temporary Residence Permits to Zimbabweans on their soil until the problem of Zimbabwe is resolved. This petition by Disapora CSO Forum is on SADC desk now and has a deadline for an answer of 28 February 2008, failing which the civil society will take SADC to court to lay evidence of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and SADC countries. This matter will be stuck off.


In South we are negotiating that Zimbabweans be allowed to engage in business and prepare them for reconstruction of Zimbabwe . The work is being by Diaspora Dev Chamber based in South Africa . Training is going on now and the Zimbabwe Development Chamber is conducting classes to teach on these economic matters. The classes in Johannesburg , Durban and Pretoria are so popular that they are fully booked. Participants write a test and receive a certificate for passing.


Other regions in South Africa are opening up for training as well. What is clear is that Zimbabweans do not know the issues, especially that only Production will turn the economy around, not simply the act of elections. While democracy is essential it needs to be backed by citizens owning factories to produce otherwise there in no recovery. For more details how to turn around the economy of Zimbabwe and who can do it, book for training on 011 339 3629 or 0791383896 or send an sms to 0730941139(they will contact you) . This matter will be scuttled.


Meanwhile in all fairness the Zimbabwe issue will be largely worse, not better. Zimbabwe needs US$50 billion to turn around. The Diaspora program can raise it, from outside Zim but this program will be closed. The suffering of returnees and the country will continue.

The demo then is necessary to state our position now, not after the elections results are out. We will then be able to contest these matters, even going to court.

SADC want an legitimate government based on reformed ZANU. We argue that Zimbabwe economy is controlled by SA and they will have easy pickings while we rot. We want to be able to prepare ourselves in SA, then go back. Zimbabwe has no international rating and will be unable to raise serious money on the global markets.

Only the citizens in rated countries can and SADC has our Diaspora development plan.

L D ZUNGA