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Strong Views of Mugabe
What do South Africans and Zimbabweans living in Capetown think about the Zim election and what, if any, implications will it have for politics in all of Africa? What do South Africans and Zimbabweans living in Capetown think about the Zim election and what, if any, implications will it have for... more
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Zimbabwe: Mugabe succumbs to pressure and starts secret talks with opposition
The rival claimants to victory in Zimbabwe's widely criticised presidential elections - Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai - have agreed to immediately begin intensive talks aimed at establishing a "new government".
At their first meeting in more than a decade, Zimbabwe's president and the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change yesterday signed a five-page "memorandum of understanding" that envisages a fortnight of secret talks by representatives dealing with an array of issues from political violence against the opposition to constitutional reform.
Mugabe, who only a few weeks ago was ruling out any deal with Tsvangirai but has been forced to give ground under myriad pressures including an imploding economy, described the memorandum as a "serious matter". "We sit here in order for us to chart a new way, a new way of political interaction," he said.
But he added ominously that negotiators must act without influence from the US or Europe. He has repeatedly accused the opposition of being "puppets" of the west when it has demanded that he surrender power.
Tsvangirai, who won the first round of presidential elections in March but pulled out of the run-off last month after a state-orchestrated campaign of killings, torture and abductions against his supporters, said "not finding a solution is not an option".
However, the obstacles to an agreement remain formidable, with Mugabe looking to legitimise the ballot that returned him to office, in which he claimed to have won 90% of the valid votes, while the opposition says any deal must strip him of power.
South Africa's president, Thabo Mbeki, oversaw the signing of the agreement at a Harare hotel after Tsvangirai refused to meet Mugabe at the presidential offices because it would infer recognition of his claim to power.
Mbeki, who is likely to claim the agreement as a vindication of his mediation by "quiet diplomacy", said all parties wanted a rapid resolution of the political crisis. "It commits the negotiating parties to an intense programme of work to try and finalise the negotiations as quickly as possible," he said. "All the Zimbabwean parties recognise the urgency of the matters they are discussing and all are committed to trying to complete this process as quickly as possible."
Mbeki has previously proposed what amounts to a transitional government with Mugabe as a titular president and real power in the hands of Tsvangirai as an executive prime minister while a coalition draws up a new constitution and holds fresh elections.
The MDC says it can live with that so long as Mugabe is stripped of power. But Zimbabwe's leader says that any agreement must recognise his claim to have won last month's presidential election run-off, even though few foreign governments have done so. He wants a government of national unity in which the MDC serves under his leadership.
Although the military-led campaign of violence against the opposition has greatly weakened the MDC on the ground, yesterday's signing is a reflection of the pressures on Mugabe.
The economy is imploding under the weight of hyperinflation, the Zimbabwe dollar loses half its value every day and the country is facing a looming famine after the failure of this year's harvest. The government is struggling to find the cash to pay public employees and, more importantly, soldiers at the end of this month.
Mugabe is also under growing pressure to install the new parliament which has yet to sit nearly four months after the election in which his Zanu-PF party lost its majority for the first time since independence in 1980. The ruling party's violence has targeted opposition MPs in recent weeks in what seems to be a strategy to prevent them from taking their seats by beating them up, forcing them in to hiding or arresting them on trumped-up charges.
The rival claimants to victory in Zimbabwe's widely criticised presidential elections - Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai - have agr... more -
Mugabe, Tsvangirai sign Zimbabwe framework deal
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday signed a deal laying down the framework for formal talks on forming a power sharing government to end a deep political crisis.
It was the first meeting in 10 years between the two rival leaders, who are widely believed to detest each other. They sat at a conference table separated by South African President Thabo Mbeki who mediated the deal.
The preliminary agreement was signed in Harare's Rainbow Towers Hotel after weeks of deadlock since Mugabe was re-elected on June 27 in a widely condemned poll boycotted by Tsvangirai because of violence against his supporters.
Mbeki said the agreement committed both sides to an intense process to try to complete substantive negotiations as quickly as possible. "All parties recognize the urgency," he said.
A subdued Mugabe said after the signing that the agreement was "to chart a new way of political interaction."
Tsvangirai called the ceremony "a very historic occasion" and stressed that a solution must be found.
"If we put our heads together, I am sure we can find a solution. In fact, not finding a solution is not an option," he said.
Officials from both sides said the framework agreement sets a two-week deadline for the government and two factions of the opposition MDC to discuss key issues including a unity government and how to hold new elections.
A government of national unity has been pushed as a solution to the crisis by the African Union and the regional body SADC (Southern African Development Community), both deeply concerned by Zimbabwe's political violence and an economic crisis that has flooded neighboring states with millions of refugees.
Tsvangirai's MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) and Mugabe's ZANU-PF are also committed under the agreement to ease political tension within the two-week deadline, officials said. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday signed a deal laying down the framework for forma... more -
A small step towards 'Zimbabwean crisis' solution?
"South African President Thabo Mbeki announced plans Friday to work closely with the United Nations and the African Union as he attempts to mediate a settlement in Zimbabwe.
The plan was applauded by Zimbabwe's opposition, which has criticized Mbeki as biased in favor of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, and called for him to be replaced or work with a second mediator.
Mbeki proposed that a special group of representatives from the U.N., AU and the Southern African Development Community be formed with which he would talk "on an ongoing basis."
Mbeki would remain the main mediator trying to find a solution to Zimbabwe's deadly political crisis.
In a statement released late Friday, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai welcomed the effort "to find a peaceful negotiated solution to the Zimbabwean crisis." "South African President Thabo Mbeki announced plans Friday to work closely with the United Nations and the African Union as he attemp... more -
Diplomats aid Mbeki with Zimbabwe
A group of senior diplomats are to help South African President Thabo Mbeki in his efforts to solve Zimbabwe's political crisis.
Envoys will be drawn from the UN, African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
The move was welcomed by Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who has been critical of Mr Mbeki.
Mr Tsvangirai is currently considering entering power-sharing talks with President Robert Mugabe.
Sydney Mufamadi, a close aide of Mr Mbeki, announced the creation of a "reference group" consisting of AU head Jean Ping, the UN's Zimbabwe envoy Haile Menkerios, and Sadc official George Chikoti. A group of senior diplomats are to help South African President Thabo Mbeki in his efforts to solve Zimbabwe's political crisis. ... more -
Zimbabwe churches criticise poll
Church leaders in Zimbabwe have for the first time raised serious concerns about presidential election results.
The heads of all Zimbabwe's Christian denominations said the poll was not an expression of the will of the people.
In a statement, they said people were subjected to violence that included torture, murder, abductions, displacement and psychological trauma.
The church leaders urged a transitional authority be set up, and said the churches could play a role in talks.
President Robert Mugabe, a Catholic, won the 29 June run-off election unopposed after his rival, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, pulled out citing state-sponsored violence.
Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe says the ruling Zanu-PF and MDC negotiating teams are back from South Africa after four days of closed door negotiations in Pretoria.
Last week, Russia and China vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council to impose targeted sanctions on Mr Mugabe and 13 of his allies.
South Africa, which is mediating talks between the two sides in Zimbabwe, said sanctions would interfere with attempts to form a national unity government.
'Spirit of forgiveness'
The statement from the Heads of the Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe comes after a meeting of church leaders.
They said that based on the reality of conditions on the ground, their conclusion was that the will of the people of Zimbabwe was not given authentic expression in the elections last month.
They called on God to have mercy on Zimbabwe and to give the nation "the spirit of forgiveness".
Father Fredrick Chiromba, the group's executive secretary, says a culture of tolerance no longer exists in Zimbabwe.
"People up to now are perhaps failing to realise the need for unity and diversity... sometimes people think of that unity in terms of uniformity whereas we can be united by being diverse," he said.
He added that the churches wanted to help in the current crisis.
"We the churches of Zimbabwe stand ready and committed to partner with all efforts that will result in a transitional authority and subsequently a government of national unity to bring peace, stability and reconciliation within the nation."
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections on 29 March, but official results gave him less than the 50% share needed to avoid a run-off.
The MDC says 113 of its supporters have been killed, some 5,000 are missing and more than 200,000 have been forced from their homes since March.
The majority of Zimbabweans are practising Christians. Church leaders in Zimbabwe have for the first time raised serious concerns about presidential election results. ... more -
Mugabe recruiting vicious mercenaries: campaign of terror steps up
Opposition supporters in Zimbabwe now face even more danger of abuse and persecution: "vicious" mercenaries, from nearby countries such as Kenya and Uganda, have been recruited by Mugabe to step up the pressure on MDC supporters.
Eyewitnesses report that the men are more bloodthirsty even than the Zimbabwean militiamen, routinely "cutting out the tongue, removing eyes and genital parts.": not normally local 'practices'. These new groups incite even more fear against defying the Mugabe regime, as they reportedly "know no bounds": with other sickening reports of gang-rape and abduction of young women also common.
The death toll stands at over 100, but it is as yet impossible to determine the number who have suffered a worse fate, with reports of brutal torture and rape commonplace. Opposition supporters in Zimbabwe now face even more danger of abuse and persecution: "vicious" mercenaries, from nearby countries suc... more -
Mugabe sanctions hit UK media worker, same name = no wages
HSBC have taken the Zimbabwe sanctions a little far, freezing a London media workers wages, not once, but twice after they assumed she was related to Zimbabwe's dictator, Robert Mugabe.
Her company blamed a computer error for the first wage check getting frozen by the bank, so sent another, which was also frozen. Sam Mugabe explained that Mugabe is a popular name in Zimbabwe and that HSBC had apologised. HSBC have taken the Zimbabwe sanctions a little far, freezing a London media workers wages, not once, but twice after they assumed she... more -
No painkillers, no visitors and no way out
Ward B3 of Gokwe general hospital looks much like any other in Zimbabwe's decaying medical establishments, denuded of medicines, equipment and doctors by the country's dramatic economic collapse.
But many of its patients are prisoners in a "torture centre" for abducted opposition supporters who, on the orders of the army, are denied painkillers and treatment for terrible injuries sustained at the hands of Robert Mugabe's henchmen. Ward B3 of Gokwe general hospital looks much like any other in Zimbabwe's decaying medical establishments, denuded of medicines, equip... more -
Global net closes on Mugabe's gang
The net was tightening last night around the leading figures in the Mugabe regime as the United Nations identified the key individuals it blames for the current crisis in Zimbabwe.
A draft UN resolution named Robert Mugabe and 13 of his henchmen as the main culprits behind the campaign of violence in which scores of opposition supporters have been raped and murdered, and hopes of democratic salvation for the southern African nation have been wrecked.
The men named by the UN include generals, such as the army chief, Constantine Chiwenga, who is credited with persuading Mr Mugabe to launch a military campaign against the opposition rather than negotiate an exit package in the wake of his defeat in the first round of elections in March.
Hopes for a tough response from the UN were in the balance last night despite the apparent agreement from G8 leaders to push for targeted sanctions. A pitched battle has been under way since Tuesday at the UN Security Council as the United States and Britain sought to force a showdown over Zimbabwe. South Africa has been holding the line at the 15-nation council against measures including an international arms embargo, as well as travel bans and asset freezes targeting each of the 14 named individuals.
It was unclear whether London and Washington had the votes to win the battle as one British diplomat close to the effort said it was "touch and go whether we get them". The uncertainty was added to by the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, who went half way to meeting the West's demands in Japan by signing up to the G8 statement promising to punish the culprits in Zimbabwe, but then stopped short of supporting UN sanctions.
In an unlikely twist, the West African nation of Burkina Faso has found itself in the diplomatic spotlight. The second poorest country in the world, it has a UN vote as a temporary member of the council and has so far resisted pressure to back sanctions. Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, was in Burkina yesterday lobbying against a UN vote.
Mr Mugabe's inner circle, named in the draft resolution, has each amassed personal fortunes while overseeing the steepest collapse of a peacetime economy ever recorded. The draft resolution accuses them of "undermining the democratic process" and having "ordered, planned, or participated in" the campaign of political terror that has killed more than 100 people, displaced 200,000 and made the country an international pariah.
South Africa argued that punitive action would undermine mediation but this approach was rejected by Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change. "These are not sanctions against Zimbabwe," said Ian Makoni, a senior MDC official. "They're against individuals guilty of crimes against humanity."
South Africa was also attempting to block efforts to appoint a UN special envoy to Zimbabwe, fearing this would undermine its President, Thabo Mbeki, and his role as regional mediator. He has been fiercly criticised for the apparent failure of "quiet diplomacy" and there have been open calls for his replacement as mediator from the MDC who accuse him of sheltering the Mugabe regime.
Zimbabwe's government responded to the mounting pressure with an outburst of anti-colonial rhetoric against the West for preparing sanctions.
Mr Mumbengegwi said: "Zimbabwe has had free and fair elections... We can't receive instructions from our former colonial masters. We are an independent country and we will never, never go back to being a colony." The net was tightening last night around the leading figures in the Mugabe regime as the United Nations identified the key individuals... more -
Zimbabwe "on the brink of civil war"
Zimbabwe now stands on the brink of civil war.
This is the dire warning contained in a fresh report on the political and security situation in Zimbabwe, where desperate MDC supporters are said to be taking the fight to "state-sponsored goon militias".
The report - a collaborative effort between the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Africa Policy Institute (API) - was released on Thursday in Johannesburg.
Its authors warn that, as a peaceful solution to the political impasse remains elusive, the spontaneous, retaliatory violence allegedly perpetrated by frustrated MDC supporters is starting to show signs of greater organisation, setting the scene for an all-out civil war.
"The MDC youth and general public are increasingly fighting back, and it is likely that their responses will become increasingly sophisticated," the report says.
But MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa on Thursday denied the claim, saying MDC supporters are the victims and that - even under extreme circumstances - they have resisted the temptation of "fighting fire with fire".
The MDC claims that more than 90 of its supporters have died in the violence that intensified after the first round of elections on March 29.
The HSRC/API report claims that state-sponsored violence against MDC supporters has triggered a "parallel emergence of retaliatory violence by the opposition which, though still covert, appears to be gradually acquiring a more structured and programmatical character".
Zimbabwe's disputed president, Robert Mugabe, will use violence to establish "total control" under his renewed presidency, which will precipitate an accelerated economic collapse and may eventually lead to "unrest and civil war", the report warns.
It also urges regional and continental leaders to work toward establishing a "neutral and professional, disciplined force" and to pull so-called "war veterans and youth militias from the streets and villages".
To avoid civil war, the authors propose that regional leaders move speedily to broker a "sustainable executive power-sharing arrangement, leading to a government of national unity with clear time frames". Zimbabwe now stands on the brink of civil war. ... more -
Pictures From Zimbabwe Say a Thousand Words.
All it took were two picures from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to call the G8 community into action against the brutal regime in Zimbabwe. After showing the G8 summit two pictures of Joshua Bakacheza, an opposition activist whose body was found on Saturday beaten to death, calls for sanctions were immediately put forward. It's amazing how all the stories of brutality in recent weeks didn't call the world to action as much as just two photographs did.
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Mugabe is ready to form a unity government ... no really.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Zimbabwe's foreign minister said Tuesday that President Robert Mugabe is ready to form a unity government, but remained vague on the role opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai would play.
The announcement follows international calls for such a union, but neither the opposition nor the government has taken any strong action in that direction.
Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the way forward is for Mugabe to form "an all-inclusive government where all the political parties take part."
But he did not discuss the position that the country's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai would serve in any such government. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Zimbabwe's foreign minister said Tuesday that President Robert Mugabe is ready to form a unity government,... more -
G8 Will Seek Zimbabwe Sanctions
The Group of Eight has agreed to seek UN sanctions against Zimbabwe after Robert Mugabe clung on to power in a presidential election widely condemned as a sham.
Significantly, Russia - which has previously been reluctant to back sanctions - supported the move.
Sky News foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall said: "With Russia agreeing to support this at the UN it means a resolution should get through.
"That means the screws are really beginning to tighten on Robert Mugabe's regime."
A draft United Nations resolution seen by Sky News last week recommended the appointment of a UN special representative to Zimbabwe.
Marshall said: "The appointment of a UN representative would cause difficulty for South African president Thabo Mbeki who currently sees himself as the chief negotiator."
The UN resolution would also see a tight arms embargo introduced.
The G8, holding a three-day summit in northern Japan, was due to issue a formal statement on the political crisis in the southern African country after discussing the issue over dinner, Japanese officials said.
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said: "The need and the urgency was indicated for sanctions at the UN Security Council.
"Given that even Russia decided to go ahead, it seemed to me important to join in, voting unanimously."
The Italian premier had previously said he favoured a compromise deal between Mugabe and the Zimbabwean opposition rather than sanctions.
As the G8 ratcheted up pressure, Zimbabwe's state media reported that Mugabe's ruling party and the opposition were to resume talks under the mediation of Mr Mbeki.
However, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change quickly scotched the claim.
Party spokesman Nqobizitha Mlilo said: "The vampire nature of the regime has not changed, so how can you have dialogue?"
Mugabe was the only candidate in the June 27 run-off election after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, citing state-sponsored violence against candidates and supporters of his MDC.
Mr Tsvangirai has said the opposition will not participate in any negotiations until Mugabe's government halts political violence against his supporters and accepts that the MDC won the election in the first round of voting on March 29.
Gordon Brown has said he wants sanctions to be accompanied by the appointment of a UN envoy to try to resolve the crisis.
He said: "It's pretty clear that I want sanctions against the Mugabe regime.
"I believe that we've got to say that they're illegitimate because of the way they are holding power with an election that is not seen as free or fair to anyone.
"Obviously we want to call for an end to violence and we want to get humanitarian aid to victims of the repression and the economic failures of the Mugabe regime."
Seven African leaders invited to the first day of the G8 summit on Monday expressed reservations about sanctions.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is also head of the African Union, told US president George Bush that there was still room for discussions to end the crisis. The Group of Eight has agreed to seek UN sanctions against Zimbabwe after Robert Mugabe clung on to power in a presidential election w... more -
African Leaders fearing Mugabe
African leaders are backing down as the global community tries to put pressure on Mugabe.
And rightfully so, we won't be there to back them up. African leaders are backing down as the global community tries to put pressure on Mugabe. ... more -
Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe thugs raid refugee camp
Zanu-PF militiamen have raided a refugee camp housing hundreds of opposition supporters supposedly under the protection of the Red Cross and United Nations agencies, in an indication of Robert Mugabe's disregard for international opinion.
The 400-strong group at Ruwa rehabilitation centre sought refuge at a car park outside the South African embassy in Harare three weeks ago, before Zimbabwe's one-candidate presidential run-off.
They moved to the site 15 miles south-east of the city after assurances for their safety were given by the South Africans and the Zimbabwe Red Cross, they said.
But around a dozen men in camouflage uniforms, some wearing balaclavas, walked past a lone policeman on duty at the gate and attacked refugees sleeping in a squash court.
"The screaming and the noise of what they were doing was terrible, I don't even know how many were hurt, I couldn't see," said a 45-year-old man who escaped from the camp.
He believes scores of people were injured and many, including women and their infants, were kidnapped or fled into the bush to escape.
Most of the group are from rural areas who first sought protection at the MDC's Harvest House headquarters in Harare, but after it was raided by police several times moved to the position outside the embassy.
"We knew President (Thabo) Mbeki was mediating the situation and we thought they would help us," said the man.
"We moved to Ruwa because the South Africans told us we would be safe, but we are not safe."
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Johannesburg said it would issue a statement about the assault, but so far had failed to do so. Zanu-PF militiamen have raided a refugee camp housing hundreds of opposition supporters supposedly under the protection of the Red Cro... more -
Will Obama Get Rid Of Mugabe And End Suffering In Zimbabwe ?
"Let me be a Hitler ten-fold "
Robert Mugabe
After 28 years under the hard dicatorship of Mugabe, people in Zimbabwe have done everything they could and are begging for help.
The UN, the AU and the EU are not willing to do the job.
What would Obama do ?
"Let me be a Hitler ten-fold " Robert Mugabe ... more -
Shell ready to quit Zimbabwe as Mugabe cronies hoard fuel
The Observer reports:
"Shell was considering pulling out of Zimbabwe last night amid claims that President Robert Mugabe was reserving the distribution of fuel at petrol pumps for party supporters."
"A source at the oil giant told The Observer it was looking at a plan to halt activities in the country, which are overseen in a joint deal with BP. One option being canvassed is for Shell to sell its stake to a third party. Meanwhile both the UN Security Council and the European Union are drafting tougher sanctions aimed at members of the regime and their families, but probably stopping short of wider economic sanctions that some British politicians and Zimbabweans are calling for." The Observer reports: ... more -
UK to send 11,000 refugees back to Mugabe regime
'The support that you have been provided with is to be discontinued ... You should note that there is no right to appeal against this decision ... You must now leave the United Kingdom.' This is one of thousands of letters sent out to Zimbabweans seeking refuge in the UK, including to members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
Letters obtained by The Observer newspaper show that the Home Office continues to order failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers to return home in the face of mounting violence, to face possible torture or death in their home country - or to starve here.
More at the link. 'The support that you have been provided with is to be discontinued ... You should note that there is no right to appeal against this ... more -
Film of Zimbabwe 'vote-rigging'
"New evidence of vote-rigging in last month's presidential election in Zimbabwe has emerged in the form of a secret film made by a prison guard. The guard, Shepherd Yuda, filmed the vote-rigging at his jail in a production for Guardian Films.
Prison officers, including Mr Yuda, who has now fled Zimbabwe, were forced to vote for President Robert Mugabe by superior officers. The officers organised a postal ballot and stood over them as they cast votes.
Mr Yuda decided to speak out after the murder of his uncle, an opposition activist, two months ago. He knew he and his family would have to leave Zimbabwe as a result.
"This election: I have never seen that type of violence," he says in the film. "The impact has left a lot of orphans; it has left a lot of people displaced. You cannot expect that from your government."
He secretly filmed a war veteran, Superintendent Shambira, watching as prison officers voted. Supt Shambira ensured they marked their ballots for Robert Mugabe, and not the opposition candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai. Supt Shambira then logged each vote against an identification number. There was no secrecy.
All those voting knew Supt Shambira had the power to condemn them as MDC supporters. Mr Yuda says he had no choice but to vote for Robert Mugabe. Mr Yuda also spoke to voters on the streets of Harare.
"They're standing right in front of you when you cast your vote," one voter told Mr Yuda. "They watch." The voter went on: "Shambira definitely sees you vote - there's no way of hiding it. I was thinking I could vote when he wasn't looking, but he was watching like a hawk."
Among the prisoners is Tendai Biti, a prominent opposition MP and human-rights lawyer. Mr Yuda filmed him having his leg-irons removed for a court hearing. Mr Biti, who is awaiting trial on treason charges, was released on bail, but could still face execution.
"You know, I was so touched: for a man of his status to be reduced to such levels, to be put in a criminal institution," Mr Yuda says in the film. "It's very, very sad."
Mr Yuda also captured conversations between prison guards in the run-up to the 27 June run-off election, as tension was increasing.
"In my area, there's a lot of tension," one guard tells him. "Zanu-PF (ruling party) thugs came to my house as soon as I left for work today. They abducted my wife. They took her to the base."
These "bases" are springing up in private houses all over Harare. Previously they were a feature of rural Zimbabwe; now they have reached the capital. Ordinary people are abducted and compelled to attend Zanu-PF re-education rallies.
"I am forced to go and guard these bases all through the night, after my shift here," another prison officer says. "They cordon off the whole street: it becomes a no-go area. These people are killers, the thugs that Zanu-PF are using."
And another guard says the rest of the world should do more to help Zimbabwe.
"It's in the hands of the international community now," he says. "[South African President] Thabo Mbeki has betrayed us. He didn't want to come down hard on Mugabe. Instead, he kept going on and on about pan-Africanism."
On election day itself, Mr Yuda films a woman who is so fearful that she has pretended to have voted. She colours her little finger with a pink marker, hoping to simulate the ink used to identify those who have already cast their ballots.
The day after Robert Mugabe's election, Shepherd Yuda and his family began packing, preparing to leave Zimbabwe. Their lives would have been in danger if they had stayed. They can only begin to think about returning once Mr Mugabe has gone." "New evidence of vote-rigging in last month's presidential election in Zimbabwe has emerged in the form of a secret film made by a pri... more
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