Mbeki should stay as Zim mediator

ANYONE who does not like South African President Thabo Mbeki to remain as mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis “must go hang,” a Swapo backbencher said in Parliament last week.

Contributing to the debate on Zimbabwe, which was tabled by CoD opposition leader Ben Ulenga, Eveline Nawases-Taeyele of Swapo said Mbeki was the “(African) Renaissance Man, who was officially appointed as mediator between the Zimbabwean opposition parties and the government of President Robert Mugabe by the Southern African Development Community (SADC)”. “No one may unilaterally push him out of the (negotiation) process.If the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) feels aggrieved [by Mbeki] they should report to SADC and not hire and fire mediators,” the Swapo lightweight noted amidst interjections of protests from opposition benches.”It is well known that the Western agenda feels threatened by President Mbeki’s balanced and professional discourse.He has refused to succumb to their [Western countries’] pressure for him to demonise a fellow freedom fighter, president Mugabe,” Nawases-Taeyele added.”The MDC does not want Mbeki” an opposition member interjected, while DTA Vice-President Philemon Moongo asked Nawases-Taeyele if she was aware of violence and torture in Zimbabwe in recent weeks with over 90 Zimbabweans killed by state security forces.”Morgan Tsvangirai of the Western-supported and -funded MDC withdrew from the presidential run-off a week ago; the other team won,” the Swapo junior told the House.This prompted CoD MP Nora Schimming-Chase to say it was tragic “to compare the Zimbabwean election crisis with a soccer match.”Taking a swipe at the critical statements against Mugabe from the British and Botswana governments, Nawases-Taeyele said “it is telling that the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had not been elected by the people of Britain and Botswana President Ian Khama was not elected by its people, yet these two are the leaders of their countries.”She hinted at international criticism against Mugabe’s ‘win’ of the run-off after Tsvangirai pulled out.Deputy Labour Minister Petrus Ilonga said the West was trying to get back white-owned land in Zimbabwe.”This could also happen here,” Ilonga stated.The debate continues this week.”No one may unilaterally push him out of the (negotiation) process.If the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) feels aggrieved [by Mbeki] they should report to SADC and not hire and fire mediators,” the Swapo lightweight noted amidst interjections of protests from opposition benches.”It is well known that the Western agenda feels threatened by President Mbeki’s balanced and professional discourse.He has refused to succumb to their [Western countries’] pressure for him to demonise a fellow freedom fighter, president Mugabe,” Nawases-Taeyele added.”The MDC does not want Mbeki” an opposition member interjected, while DTA Vice-President Philemon Moongo asked Nawases-Taeyele if she was aware of violence and torture in Zimbabwe in recent weeks with over 90 Zimbabweans killed by state security forces.”Morgan Tsvangirai of the Western-supported and -funded MDC withdrew from the presidential run-off a week ago; the other team won,” the Swapo junior told the House.This prompted CoD MP Nora Schimming-Chase to say it was tragic “to compare the Zimbabwean election crisis with a soccer match.”Taking a swipe at the critical statements against Mugabe from the British and Botswana governments, Nawases-Taeyele said “it is telling that the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had not been elected by the people of Britain and Botswana President Ian Khama was not elected by its people, yet these two are the leaders of their countries.”She hinted at international criticism against Mugabe’s ‘win’ of the run-off after Tsvangirai pulled out.Deputy Labour Minister Petrus Ilonga said the West was trying to get back white-owned land in Zimbabwe.”This could also happen here,” Ilonga stated.The debate continues this week.