OPEN LETTER TO PRES MBEKI re ZIMBABWE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
CHERYLLYN DUDLEY MP (African Christian Democratic Party)
OCTOBER 02


Dear Editor
President Mbeki who has managed to successfully block efforts to intensify the pressure on Mugabe to adhere to the principles on which the Commonwealth is founded and to which Mugabe committed Zimbabwe, 22 years ago, stands squarely responsible for the further devastation and hardship of Zimbabweans.

For the third year running no new crops will be planted and within the year Zimbabweans will face additional losses of 15 per cent of their income per capita, exports will decline by another 30 per cent, tobacco markets will cease and mines and factories will close. Commentator Eddie Cross estimates that 300 000 Zimbabweans are likely to die from hunger, malnutrition and Aids within this short space of time, and life expectancy will drop another two years.

The fact that at least 250 000 Zimbabweans will leave the country for other lands, will impact South Africa in that two-thirds will undoubtedly head for South Africa where many will turn to crime for a living. If trends in Zimbabwe continue, 15 000 Zimbabweans are likely to be jailed for politically related "crimes", some 100 000 will experience political violence of one kind or another and 70 will be murdered in politically motivated activities.

The British Prime Minister has declared that, "dictators do not respond to diplomacy that is not backed by some form of force" and has encouraged the international community not to stand by and watch Saddam Hussein brutalise his people, cripple his country's economy and threaten the stability of the whole region. Yet Mugabe, speaks at global Summits and is entertained in New York as an honored guest, while two million Zimbabweans have been forced by Mugabe, to become refugees in their own country.
Presidents Mbeki and Obasanjo have told the global community that, African poverty can only be addressed if the continent grows its economy by 7 per cent a year, and to achieve this they ask the rest of the world to invest US$64 billion every year in economic ventures in the continent. They ask for huge increases in foreign aid and for leaders in the rest of the world to persuade their business communities to commit their funds to the task that lies ahead. At the same time they brush over the importance of Zimbabwe’s President stripping 4000 businesses of US$6 billion in assets, running up national debts of US$12 billion in 20 years, scrapping the rule of law, denying citizens the right to vote, meet, or speak with any sort of freedom.

Global pressure, backed by the threat of force, was undoubtedly the instrument used in turning the tide and bringing freedom to both South Africa and Zimbabwe. This force was not military, yet it was effective. It takes courage however, to stand by principles and do what is right, it costs you popular opinion. This courage sadly appears to be lacking in the SADC and NEPAD leadership. The world however, expects Africa to do today, what they asked of others during the liberation struggles, in order to deliver real change, and is watching Mbeki and Obasanjo who to date have shown no sign of the political will required to do so.
Is it that they cannot, or is it that they will not? No matter how hard Mbeki and other African leaders may try to wash their hands of this matter, history will record the outcome and it will be to their shame.


CHERYLLYN DUDLEY MP


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For further comment please call Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 8906520 or ACDP Media Liaison Wesley Douglas at 082 4781037 or 021 403 3521