DEAR EDITOR ─ I wish to express my disgruntlement on the eve of the crucial elections in Zimbabwe. I have waited and waited for the opposition parties, especially the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai to come up with a viable alternative and convince us to vote him to power; but am sorry to say I have waited in vain.
Morgan Tsvangirai has continued with his arrogant stance up until the polling day and I am sorry to say that he has lost my vote despite all the attendances I have made to his campaigns here in the Midlands.
I have always thought that Morgan could challenge President Mugabe strong enough to win the election, but he has a tendency to act childishly and make serious mistakes just before the elections.
The issue of the helicopter has really worked against him a few days to the election. What was Morgan thinking, hiring a white South African pilot to ferry him around? He know exactly how the ruling party would have taken advantage of this incident.
Morgan has also shown his lack of skill and tact in dealing with Zanu PF, who have shown to be very invincible, as a party. His rhetoric on solutions to rigging leaves a lot to be desired. Calling on Zimbabwean people to 'defend their vote' without giving the specifics was a huge mistake, which could be misconstrued as a call to violence and nothing else.
The MDC has also continued with their mantra of violence which many Zimbabweans shun, by their very nature. We are not a violent bunch like the Kenyans and we do not have that inclination. For Tsvangirai and Biti to suggest that people of Zimbabwe could be moved to riot or fight an election result is irresponsible and highly divisive. We all know what will happen. A small pocket of resistance will emerge and will be brutally crushed by the military who have called for a peaceful election.
This shows MDC's naivety and lack of tact. Their 10 years in opposition has not helped to unseat the government of President Mugabe whose message has been unequivocally clear ─ that the MDC is made up of puppets who are funded by Western imperialism and who have no idea what they want to do with this country.
Late entry Makoni would have made a significant difference had it not been for all his promises about defections and over-confidence that he will win, even without appealing for our vote.
Arthur Mutambara is just a confused individual who has a deluded sense of self-importance. He will lose Zengeza and his party will fail dismally at the election.
So there we go ─ another five year mandate for President Mugabe.
Patrick Mutasa Mabelreign, Harare
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READER OPINIONS
n/a • n/a Subject: Dear Patrick Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:01:59 • My dear brother Patrick, you are lost. What people want now is change. People are hungry, there are no jobs and there is no hope. What we want is change. We do not care who brings that change. Mugabe has failed. He has been in power for a very long time and there is nothing really that we can smile about. We will never allow Morgan to be dictator and he is one person that we can easily remove if he does not serve the interest of the nation. Zanu PF has nothing to offer to the people. Lets try Morgan. I have always had doubts about his capabilites, but this not the time to be looking at that.
n/a • n/a Subject: n/a Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:45:43 • This man writes rubbish. But Its Mugabe to Zvimba, Tsvangson to Bindura Nickel Mine & Simba to the people!
n/a • n/a Subject: n/a Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:11:42 • Mutasa, you know very well your argument is irrelevant. Zanu PF have destroyed the country totally, but you focus on petty issues that do not bring bread and butter to the table. We need to think more intelligently in order to bring an end to the suffering most Zimbabweans are subjected to by Mr Mugabe.
I tell you, today he is sleeping in that state house as president for the last time.
simba • n/a Subject: n/a Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:06:57 • Go and write for the Herald!
29 March; Mugabe to his land, Makoni to Finance and Morgan to State House!
Richard • omondi007@yahoo.com Subject: Why give him the mandate? Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:03:49 • The concerns you raise here over Tsvangirai, Patrick are very valid. However this is not the time to be microscopic about issues at the expense of removing a dictatorship. This is the time to be strategic (notwithstanding some compromises in the quality of the alternative) in order for us to move forward. I for one will be voting for Simba Makoni tomorrow not because I unreservedly trust him, but because I'm convinced to the optimum minimal that he is a better person and will make a better President than both Mugabe and Tsvangirai. Likewise if you think Tsvangirai is at the optimum minimal better than Mugabe or Makoni, please go ahead and vote for him. We cannot let micro concerns hinder our ultimate objective of removing an unrepentant cult and gang of thieves that is disguised as a revolutionary party called ZANU PF. The time is now. Let’s vote Against Mugabe tomorrow. We can discuss the micro issues on Monday when we form a new people centred government as the people of Zimbabwe.
Richard • omondi007@yahoo.com Subject: Why give him the mandate? Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:00:04 • The concerns you raise here over Tsvangirai, Patrick are very valid. However this is not the time to be microscopic about issues at the expense of removing a dictatorship. This is the time to be strategic (notwithstanding some compromises in the quality of the alternative) in order for us to move forward. I for one will be voting for Simba Makoni tomorrow not because I unreservedly trust him, but because I'm convinced to the optimum minimal that he is a better person and will make a better President than both Mugabe and Tsvangirai. Like wise if you think Tsvangirai is at the optimum minimal better than Mugabe or Makoni, please go ahead and vote for him. We cannot let micro concerns hinder our ultimate objective of removing an unrepentant cult and gang of theifs that is disguised as a revolutionary party called ZANU PF. The time is now. Lets vote Against Mugabe tomorrow. We can discuss the micro issues on monday when we form a new people centered government as the people of Zimbabwe.
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