PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Saturday urged Zimbabwe's ruling party members to tell the truth about the country's economic woes, as he launched his presidential campaign and officially celebrated his 84th birthday party.
"Let’s proceed that way: determined to win, never accepting defeat as something on our way. Let's tell people the truth about the economic hardships they are facing," Mugabe told thousands of party supporters in the southern town of Beitbridge who were celebrating his birthday with him. "The truth about what government is able to do and what it is not able to.
"We are going to work hard to address the problem," he added.
The president's fete in Beitbridge was the major highlight of the day. Ruling party members, chiefs, diplomats, government ministers, and the public in general were in attendance.
According to AFP news agency, “Flag waving party supporters and school children greeted Mugabe with loud cheers when he arrived at the venue, accompanied by his wife Grace and their children.”
Mugabe lashed out at the country's "enemies" who have criticized his presidency, including the U.S. and Britain.
"There will never be regime change here ... Never," he said Saturday.
Across the border, a few hundred Zimbabweans held a protest in the South African town of Musina. They launched a giant helium balloon with banners reading: "Elections free and fair or just hot air?" and "Bob, you've had your cake. Now beat it."
The president took a swipe at his former finance minister, Simba Makoni likening him to a frog.
"He is like a frog trying to inflate itself up to the size of an ox. It will burst," Mugabe told thousands of party activists in a dusty sports field in Beitbridge on the South African border.
He added that the former minister could not present a formidable challenge against a revolutionary party like Zanu PF.
"How can such a fellow step into the ring and challenge a revolutionary party like Zanu-PF?" said Mugabe.
“Ndiwe ani? Ndinonzi Simba. Wakasimba zvakadii? Ndinofira mutry. Ko waperekedzwa nani? Iwe woga, nemudzimai wako kana nemagirlfriends? Ahh, ndine shamwari yangu inonzi Ibbo Mandaza.” (Who are you? My name is Simba [meaning ‘power’]. How strong are you? I’ll die trying. Who is backing you? Is it just you and your wife or you and your girlfriends? I am with my friend called Ibbo Mandaza.”)
Mugabe also lashed out at Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the larger faction of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), describing him as a "puppet" of former colonial power Britain and the United States.
He said he was ready for a fight with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US President George W. Bush, who have both criticized his presidency.
"I am ready for a fight, it doesn't matter what Brown or Bush says," he said. "It is the sanctions that they have imposed which have caused a great deal of harm on the economy," Mugabe said. He added that he and his party to win "resoundingly" in the presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections.
Demark Muzarabani - DM • N/A Subject: Colnel Dube has said... it. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:28:07 • He said some ministers were incompetent, but always found their way back to government.
Col. Dube said: When I went out in my constituency (Makokoba), I realised that the name Zanu PF is not very popular. Why? When you go through a lot of hardships you want to find out who caused it and now it is being associated with the government of Zanu PF.
“Sometimes people look at a party as a homogeneous entity, instead of looking at it as being composed of people, and these people are the ones causing these problems within the party.
We have had a system that must be corrected; people stay in government for too long and begin to feel that the government is there because you are there. You have ministers who do wrong things and believe that nothing would ever happen to him or her because he believes the government is part of him, and he is a shareholder.
“So these people create this hatred of the party, yet they are just people. I think as journalists, you like frank talk. Let me give a typical example, on the price controls. You know that it is not government as a whole but people who were given charge to look into this problem who completely made a mess.
“Those type of things are not done by the government but by individuals. From that time all the shops went dry. So it was wrong, isn't it? Something went completely wrong because of someone. As a result he has messed the name of our party. When someone is very angry and does not like the name of the party, it is because of those type of people.â€
Challenged to clarify if his comments did not also refer to President Mugabe who has also overstayed in power, and is responsible for appointing ministers, Dube said as a soldier, he could not comment of the head of state, who is his Commander-In-Chief.
Pressed further to comment on reports that senior Zanu PF officials he enjoyed good relations with – including Dumiso Dabengwa and Solomon Mujuru -- were believed to be working against Mugabe, Dube declined to comment.
As they used to say long back, ‘ibizo lomuntu liyadula. (It is expensive to talk about someone's name). I am not going to speak on behalf of anybody. Ask them themselves, he said.
Dube said Matabeleland was underdeveloped because most of the ministers from the region were invited to government without support from the people, and could
therefore not voice their concerns for fear of being chucked out.
If I was elected into Parliament I would raise my voice the loudest knowing no one will say shut up, he said.
moses fofo • kisssims@yahoo.com Subject: robbo the king Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:25:01 • This Robert guy is a veteran in politics and boys like Simba make him look exactly the part. l don't like the way Simba hangs around crooks like Mandaza and such, these men will not get us anywhere. Don't get me wrong l don't support Robbie and his tired policies rather l am demanding serious people to challenge him. Morgan simply needs a strong 3 week campaign programme focussing on the rurals. If he manages this without any initimidation then this fellow is home and dry. There is no need for him to waste his time in UK and the urban areas, the mess created by his rival is there for all to see. For our children's sake Robbie cannot be trusted for the future. What more can he offer after 28 years? Maybe take over all foreign investments in the country?
samas • n/a Subject: n/a Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:54:31 • Blaming Bush or Brown is a tired tactic. You going whether you like it or not. Your time is up. People cannot suffer forever whilst yourself and a few cronies enjoy life.
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