The South African Development Community last week refused to impose sanctions against Zimbabwe. The decision will give Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe an element of legitimacy he does not deserve. Moreover, most of the 14 nations who make up the community are being somewhat hypocritical. These were the nations who pressed for sanctions against South Africa in the apartheid years in order to change a regime that was undemocratic, racist, illegitimate and a serial breacher of human rights – just like Mr Mugabe’s Government.
Malawi’s Foreign Minister, Lillian Patel, explained the community’s opposition to sanctions by saying they would only hurt the poor. It was a lame excuse. Already people are starving the Zimbabwe. Mr Mugabe’s corrupt and arrogant Government refuses to acknowledge this. He refuses to allow foreign aid teams in to help feed the poor. At this stage the poor have little to lose and everything to gain by whatever pressure the international community can bring to bear to force a change of ways by Mr Mugabe to see him out of office. Mr Mugabe’s policies have destroyed the country’s capacity to feed the poor and to earn foreign exchange for people to get a better life.
Mr Mugabe came to power in the first multi-racial election in 1980 with huge popular support. By the mid-1990s that support was crumbling because people had huge expectations. In particular, those who helped Mr Mugabe fight the white supremist Government of Ian Smith – and their hangers on — demanded war pensions and land. Mr Mugabe – fearful that these people would turn against him — gave them the pensions and then caved into their demands for land as a price for critical political support. That support came in the form of good squads ready, willing and able to help stifle Mr Mugabe’s political opposition by any means. But the land was taken – usually by force – from white farmers, the very people who provided the food to feed Zimbabweans and to earn export dollars. So Zimbabwe is in a state of political collapse. But Mr Mugabe is sustained in political power by his goons.
He faces an election in March. There is no prospect of it being free or fare. Goons from Mr Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party regularly intimidate opposition members. Last week, for example, the thugs, armed with axes and clubs, ransacked the home of Movement of Democratic Change official Derrick Mzira. Police – under Mr Mugabe’s orders – have arrested opposition politicians and holding them in custody without giving reasons. Journalists have to be licensed. The journalists on any newspaper that gives the Opposition a hearing face arrest. Opposition rallies are frequently broken up violently and leaders arrested on trumped up charges. White farmers are being driven out by a campaign of violence and their property confiscated with inadequate or no compensation.
The violence and intimidation are likely to continue until the March election and perhaps beyond. The economy is in ruin with 70 per cent interest rates, 100 per cent inflation, no tourism to speak of and a once thriving agricultural sector wrecked.
In short, Zimbabwe is being ruled by a dangerous murderous, racist thug who has put his personal wealth and power ahead of the needs of his people. And the South African Development Community has turned a blind eye saying that Zimbabwe as a sovereign state should be allowed to sort out its own difficulties.
At least the European Unity and the United States are thinking about sanctions and the Commonwealth is thinking about suspending Zimbabwe. All four should act. It was this sort of pressure that brought change in South Africa. Mr Mugabe must be treated like the pariah he deserves to be treated as.