”The Joe Biden administration has slapped sanctions on Zanu P.F. officials undermining democracy in Zimbabwe,” reported Zimeye.
I had that sinking feeling this was just another one of those “Much Ado About Nothing!”
“In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said under this policy, the U.S. will pursue visa restrictions, pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, for individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Zimbabwe,” continued the report.
“Such acts may include manipulating or rigging the electoral process; disenfranchising voters or preventing individuals from exercising their right to vote; excluding members of the political opposition from electoral processes; restricting the ability of civil society organisations (CSOs) to operate and engage in democratic, governance, or human rights related activities; or intimidation of voters, election observers, or CSOs through threats or acts of physical violence,” explained Secretary Blinken.
“They may also include engaging in corrupt acts, including bribery, that undermine the electoral process; interfering with the independent operation of the judiciary during its adjudication of electoral cases; or abusing or violating human rights in Zimbabwe. Family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Anyone who undermines the democratic process in Zimbabwe—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Zimbabwe’s August 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.”
I was right, this was just another big song and dance about nothing for three basic reasons:
- 1) How many of the Zanu PF regime officials will these visa sanctions net and who much of an inconvenience will these restrictions cause to the individuals? My guess is very few individuals will be affected and it would be no more than a mosquito bite!
- 2) The Americans imposed sanctions on Zanu PF leaders for underling democracy way back in 2001, the sanctions were no more than a slap on the wrist for the targeted individuals, the fear of violating them has forced many not to take any risk and so stopped doing business with Zimbabwe, period. Why successive USA administration have failed to fine tune the sanctions so they stung the targeted individuals is a mystery!
- 3) The MDC/CCC leaders have done as much if not more the undermine democracy in Zimbabwe than some of these Zanu PF officials by failing to implement even one reform in 23 years, including 5 in the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Worse still, CCC leaders have insisted in participating in flawed elections, “so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw,” as one of the CCC leaders, David Coltart, confessed. They have been hell bent on participating out of greed and to hide their greed Chamisa even lied that he had plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. It is ridiculous to keep pretending that the opposition are still the innocent victims of Zanu PF tyrannical regime when in reality they are now Zanu PF’s junior partners in all but name.
This is a molehill turned into mount Kilimanjaro only because we have corrupt and incompetent leaders. The nation has squandered US$ 5 billion in a flawed and illegal election process by Mnangagwa and Zanu PF and now ZEC is wasting US$5 million in these by elections elections. What a criminal waste of money when the nation is seized by cholera and other challenges because there is no clean water!
ReplyDeleteThe joke is on the guy saying "Now vote Zanu PF". Zanu PF has been in power these last 43 years not because the people voted for the party but because the party either coerced people to vote for the party or the party denied you the vote and voted on your behalf!
ReplyDeleteAll the election observers of the August elections dismissed the process as a farce!
Of course, CCC and the rest in the opposition camp knew the elections were flawed and that participating would give Zanu PF legitimacy. Still they were hell bent on participating because they also knew that Zanu PF will giving away a few gravy train seats to entice them to participate.
Chamisa told his supporters CCC will win big because he had plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. It was just a lie to hide the real reason for participating was greed. His supporters are a naive, ignorant and down right stupid lot, they believe anything and so they believed Chamisa’s lies even after 43 years of Zanu PF mafiosi rigging elections.
Invictus Energy Limited (“Invictus” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce a gas discovery in the Mukuyu-2 well at its 80% owned and operated Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe.Comments from Managing Director Scott Macmillan:
ReplyDelete“We are delighted to declare a gas discovery from the Mukuyu-2 sidetrack well in the Upper Angwa
In a healthy and functioning democracy this would be a blessing. But is a dysfunctional autocratic Zimbabwe this is just another curse just as gold, diamonds and many other resources have become a curse because the wealth from these resources have fuelled the ruling elite's insatiable appetites and they have used some of the loot to bankroll the vote rigging schemes.
It is believed Mnangagwa squandered US$5 billion to buy votes from buying chicken for povo at his hired crowd rallies to buying twin cab trucks for Chiefs and other middle ranking officials to paying US$ 400 000 bribes to judges and other top officials. No doubt he would be rubbing his hands in keen anticipation, he will need some fresh loot sources to bankroll the next vote rigging!
@ Reentech
ReplyDeleteCorruption is a serious problem and there is no denying that some of the wealth from the looting is bankrolling the vote rigging juggernaut. I would like to know how much Mnangagwa squandered in the 2023 Elections but I am sure even he does not know much less you. Not knowing exactly how much is being looted should not stop us discussing corruption. What are you frothing about?
@ Mbofana
ReplyDelete“So, indeed, the discovery of natural gas in Zimbabwe is a ‘potential game changer' for our nation.
Nevertheless, let us not get too excited.
Invictus Energy is correct: the operative word here is ‘potential'!
As I mentioned before, this is Zimbabwe!
The country has the ‘potential' for so many phenomenal achievements - and yet here we are!
This a country which already boasts of the largest reserves of lithium in Africa, the second platinum deposits in the world, the seventh largest producer of diamonds, and the second largest gold reserves per square kilometre.”
Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies believe they have the divine right to rule Zimbabwe and have dismissed all talk of free, fair and credible elections as nothing more than a devise plan to deny them their right. They would rather burn down Zimbabwe than allow anyone else to rule. And discoveries all these fabulous wealth and resources only serve to harden their resolve to rule until donkeys have horns.
You see the country’s rich resources as the vehicle for the country’s development and economic prosperity. Zanu PF ruling elite see it as their ticket to gratifying their insatiable appetites for power and wealth. The looted wealth will bankroll their vote rigging juggernaut.
Mnangagwa squandered a staggering US$5 billion plus in the recent elections from millions busing the hired crowd and feeding them with chicken and chips, to buying twin cab trucks for chiefs and other middle ranking individuals right up to US$400 000 plus bribes paid to all the country’s judges and other dignitaries. Not even USA presidential elections are this expensive particularly in the light of Zimbabwe’s GDP!
Instead of the discovery of natural gas being a blessing, just like diamonds, gold and all the other riches, it is just another curse!
It is very well to participate in flawed elections, "so flawed, so illegal that the only rational step is to withdraw," as David Coltart aptly put it. And to participate knowing that doing so will give legitimacy to Zanu PF.
ReplyDelete"Makudo haramwiri munda!" (You don't abandon field to marauding baboons) is cold comfort to justify the insanity of participating especially when the marauding baboons have rigged and won the elections for 43 years and counting.
AU, SADC and even Zimbabwe's own ZHRC condemned 2023 elections as a farce. We, the people of Zimbabwe, must demand reforms BEFORE elections and end this insanity of participating in flawed elections.
Elections must be free, fair and credible; rules are there for a reason and we must stop being so naive as to believed we can win rigged elections. The marauding baboon is just reverse psychology to get us to participate in flawed elections, especially when the marauding baboon always win!
From now on, we demand reforms BEFORE elections!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HvmkAYvXXY
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declared the disqualification of recalled CCC MPs who had registered to contest in the by-elections scheduled for December 9, 2023. The decision comes after a legal challenge, as detailed in matter HCH7543/23, resulting in the nullification of the candidacy of the following individuals:
ReplyDelete- Sibanda Dubeko Prince Moyo
- Bright Vanya
- Nkomo Veliswe
- Toffa Jasmine
- Mlilo Stabile
- Sibanda Pashor Raphael
- Watson Nicola Jane
- Gono Ereck
- Zana Evidence Sunungurai
- Ncube Morgan
- Manduna Obert
- Dube Janeth
- Makaza Desmond
- Shoko Gideon
- Sibanda Tendai
- Moyo Anastasia
- Gabuzza Joel
- Chimhini David
- Ncube Siphiwe
- Sibanda Felix
- Zivira Helen
Madzikana Mativenga
This is a nightmare! The country has just concluded a nation wide elections which AU, SADC and Zimbabwe’s own election observers have condemn as a farce. Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF party are believed to have squandered US$5 billion plus in a process that has failed top produce a legitimate government. These elected in this flawed process are then recalled within a few weeks of getting into office triggering a by elections on 9 Decembers costing ZEC US$5 million plus. There was yet another recall and the by election has already been set for 3 February.
The nation is in the middle of a serious cholera outbreak whose root cause is the failure to supply clean running water. The has no money for basic necessities like clean running water but is spending handover fist one fortune after another on flawed elections to keep buffoons who landed us in this mess in power.
Many had hoped that the regional body, SADC, was going to deny Zanu PF political legitimacy following the damning election report from its own observers. It seem SADC has decided to do nothing about the damning report. We are on our own and that is what makes our political situation particularly miserable.
Simba Chikanza submit affidavit of his work with Sengezo Tshabangu to undermine CCC.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent work, instead of merely speculating that Mr Sengezo Tshabangu might be helping Zanu PF, here is some evidence to support the allegation. Whether or not CCC will put the evidence to some use time will tell. I for one will not be holding my breath- lest anyone should ever forget this is the party that failed to implement even one token reforms in five years of the 2008 to 2013 GNU!