Governance crisis continues unabated in Zimbabwe – civil society
by Jerry Bungu
19.11.2009 11:21:10 A

The Zimbabwean crisis was brought to light last week at an indaba convened by the Botswana Civil Society Coalition on Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ) in Gaborone.

Giving an account of the goings-on in Zimbabwe, Tendai Chavuta, of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, narrated how influential people in Zimbabwe continue to wantonly unseat anyone from their mines, farms and companies in the name of citizen empowerment.

He narrated how farm workers are fired and left in the lurch after the farms are repossessed, especially in former Zanu-PF strongholds that are now controlled by MDC.

He added that Article 6 of the GPA, which empowers the Zimbabwean people to make a constitution by themselves and for themselves is deliberately desecrated by Zanu-PF, which is dragging its feet in addressing the pertinent issues.

“It is very clear that the partners in the GPA are not equal as Zanu-PF still wields a lot of power, controlling key security institutions like the police, army and the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO),” he said.

Arnold Tsunga, of Human Rights Lawyers of Zimbabwe, said that the issue of poor governance is still a problem, adding that it should have been addressed immediately when the inclusive government was formed.

He, however, noted that some things were overlooked because Zimbabwe was facing tough socio-economic problems at the time of implementing the GPA.
Tsunga cited the need for Zimbabwe to have commodities such as groceries and fuel available in order to kick-start the revival of the economy.

“There hasn’t been any significant investment in infrastructure to contain any future cholera outbreaks, and there are fears of another outbreak, especially in the coming rainy season,” he said.

Tsunga reiterated that Zanu-PF is still in control of security and information to suppress perceived opposition.
“Institutions of governance have been and are still serving the interests of those in government,” he said, citing the fact that serving MDC officials are denied basic things, commodities like furniture and stationery in their offices.

“To a large extent, the economy is still dysfunctional and there is need to evaluate the genuineness of SA President Jacob Zuma’s willingness to assist the parties in implementing the GPA, lest Zimbabwe is taken for a ride in order for the situation in that country not to degenerate into chaos so as not to disturb the execution the World Cup 2010,” he said.

In a statement after the seminar, BOCISCOZ said that they are deeply concerned about the prolonged crisis in Zimbabwe, especially due to its direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.

“We have observed with concern, the challenges to implementing the GPA, the recently concluded SADC meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, and the treatment meted out to United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or punishment,” read the statement.