2008 Elections

25 July 2007: The second issue of Zimbabwe Election Watch highlights further examples of breaches of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections by the Mugabe regime. The South African-led SADC initiative to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis is reported to be in danger of collapse as President Mugabe has insisted that his ruling Zanu PF party will not discuss a new constitution with the opposition. Zanu PF representative Patrick Chinamasa said the politburo cabinet has decided instead to press ahead with plans to amend the constitution through Parliament.

In an extract from the latest Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum report, the group recorded an escalation in the number of cases of abuse by state agents: 373 in May compared to 318 the previous month. They include torture and the curtailing of freedom of expression. The government’s ongoing crackdown on activists from the National Constitutional Assembly and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change is of grave concern. A survey released on 25 July by Amnesty International (AI) reports that the political manipulation of food distribution persists, particularly of GMB (Grain Marketing Board) maize sold in rural areas. The organisation notes that in 2004, “food aid was often withheld from those who did not hold a Zanu PF loyalty card, and was used in attempts to influence election results.” The UN World Food Programme estimates that 4.1 million people will require food aid during the first three months of 2008.

Although there is no legislation barring foreign-published newspapers from being sold in Zimbabwe, plans for the government’s all-out propaganda campaign ahead of the 2008 elections will include blocking distribution of The Zimbabwean newspaper.

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Mbeki-led SADC talks hang by a thread

July 20th. 2007: Citing a top Zanu PF and government offical, ZimOnline reported that the South African-led SADC initiative to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis looked in danger of collapsing as President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF party insisted it would not discuss a new constitution with the opposition. South African President Thabo Mbeki - who will report back to SADC leaders in August - has previously said progress was being made in the search for a negotiated solution, while reports in Zimbabwean and regional media suggested Zanu PF and the MDC had agreed on a formal agenda of talks, with the issue of a new constitution topping the list.

However, sources on Thursday said Zanu PF representatives, Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche, earlier this week met the South African team of mediators led by Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi to tell them they had instructions from their party not to discuss a new constitution. Rev Frank Chikane, director-general in Mbeki's office, also attended the meeting at which Chinamasa said Zanu PF's powerful politburo cabinet had decided the ruling party should press ahead with plans to amend Zimbabwe's constitution through Parliament. "He (Chinamasa) told them that the MDC rejected constitutional reforms in 2000 and that the politburo had now resolved to push the 18th Amendment to the constitution to allow for joint presidential and parliamentary elections next year," said a top Zanu PF and government official.

Constitutional Amendment No. 18, which the government has tabled in Parliament, will in addition to harmonising elections, empower the House - in which Mugabe enjoys sweeping support - to elect a successor in the event that he dies or plans to step down. The MDC says the amendment is a ploy by Mugabe - who will extend his rule to 33 years if he is re-elected next year and finishes the five-year presidential term - to hang on to power for life.
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