ACDP condemns Mugabe clean-up
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP

The ACDP joins the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) in condemning President Robert Mugabe’s ‘Operation Restore Order’ that has left tens of thousands of Zimbabweans without a home and livelihood.

We further condemn the reported action of Mugabe preventing humanitarian agencies from reaching these destitute people amid terrible weather conditions.

There is no doubt that Mugabe is using this action to strengthen his iron grip on poor Zimbabweans whilst breaking their morale in order to make them completely dependent on his will.

South Africa has, and continues to show its lack of regard for the plight of Zimbabweans. Just a few weeks ago, South Africa (through Armscor) was the country that sold helicopter spare parts to Zimbabwe after the French refused to supply them in accordance with the EU arms embargo against Mugabe, the very same helicopters were used to exert force on and intimidate the Zimbabwean people who were to take to the streets in protest.

By selling these parts to Zimbabwe government sends a clear message to the international community that it does not care about human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

It is clear that strong leadership is needed from African leaders to call President Mugabe to order. Whilst we understand the pressure that President Thabo Mbeki is under, we nevertheless call on him to respond to the plight of suffering Zimbabweans.