Zimbabwe election: The high road and the low road

Posted: April 2nd, 2008 | By Ray Hartley | Posted in General | Tagged as , , , , , , , ,
  • 6 Comments
  

THERE are two scenario’s which remain for Zimbabwe — a high road and a low road.
The high road would see President Robert Mugabe accept the outcome of the election. This would entail accepting defeat or a run-off if his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai fails to attain a 51 percent majority.
It would entail not interfering with the management of the run-off election and controlling Zimbabwe’s security forces who have already stated they will not serve under Tsvangirai because he did not fight at their side during the struggle for liberation.
Such a scenario would pave the way for a transition as there is no question that Tsvangirai would have third candidate Simba Makoni at his side in a run-off.
The world would see orderly change taking place and Mugabe could exit the stage with some dignity.
The low road is a continuation of the slow release of results. Results which are suspiciously tending more and more to favour Mugabe the longer they are held back.
The low road would see Mugabe declare victory against the grain of the vote count, casting his country into turmoil.
The low road would see the military being used to enforce a result unacceptable to all the world with devastating consequences.
That the opposition is leading an election which has taken place under a media ban and with many independent observers barred from Zimbabwe is in itself evidence that Zimbabweans want change.
The mood on the streets of Harare, as reported in The Times today is one of jubilation at an opposition victory.
At present, the evidence suggests that Mugabe is attempting to manage, perhaps even manipulate, the election outcome to suit himself.
But the way is still open for the high road to rescuing Zimbabwe from disaster.

Related posts:

  1. Zimbabwe election: How Mugabe thinks
  2. Zimbabwe election: What South Africa must do
  3. Zimbabwe election: Is Mbeki really delusional?
  4. Zimbabwe: Kenya-style meltdown on the way
  5. Zimbabwe election: Tsvangirai claims victory

 

Comments

 

Ramya

April 2, 2008 at 1:57 am

My maid, a zimbabwean who worked for me when I was in Botswana. The entire family was depending on her income from Botswana. This family was struggling to survive.
If Mugabe has a respect for his own people; tell the truth – that is Tswangirai won!! People have sacrificed enough and is enough.

 

John Malamba

April 2, 2008 at 5:45 am

This is strange to me. the western press and South African white people have all along being saying that Mugabe steals elections. If in deed he has lost this election, would this not be proof that he actually won fairly in the past? If he in deed was rigging in the past he would not have to be surprised by his loss now.

The truth will eventually come out and when it does, I think, history will record that white resentment and malice fomented a lot of lies about Zimbabwe.

 

Daleen

April 2, 2008 at 7:55 am

It is not only western press and white South African who have stated that Mugabe steals elections.Members of the electoral commission in that country have themselves suffered abuse, several churches in South Africa (of all races)have condemned the election process. Mugabe has not stolen the elections only by rigging, he has done so by starving his opposition literally to death, by driving his opposition out as refugees to South Africa, by preventing his opposition meeting freely, by preventing free media and so on.
Admitting his defeat in this election simply proves the evidence of his loss is so overwhelming it cannot be denied any longer. This does not mean he won before, it simply indicates the opposition were unprepared for the extent of his ability to ‘cover up’ in the past. We have all learnt our lessons, and are no longer so naive.

 

Mr Fazzor

April 2, 2008 at 8:19 am

I strongly disagree with John Malamba. The fact that Mugabe is suprised by his defeat and has found it difficult to steal the election now, does not necessarily mean that he has no experience in stealing elections. The situation has gone too far to the extent that its not an easy task for Mugabe to steal elections. There is no logic in John’s thnking at all.

 

Kip

April 2, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Well,I am from kenya and I speak out of experience.We Kenyan here had protesttion against flawed election that saw alot of destruction.People should stand up against such malpractices,including people of Zimbabwe.They should stand up to be counted.Let them stop being pinned down by crooks in statehouse.

 

Ike

April 2, 2008 at 5:28 pm

This is not about politics and power anymore. It is now a case of regeneration of the economy, restoration of the dignity of a nation that has been driven to the abyss. Surely, Mugabe and his cohorts wish that for their people? If not, they have something to hide! They most certainly deserve to be defeated at the polls fairly and squarely and thereafter taken to task through due legal processes. I hope that no deal is done that assures Mugabe and his henchmen immunity.

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