Dear Editor,

ROBERT Gabriel Mugabe (Bob), President of The Republic of Zimbabwe, must be a firm believer in the prophetic theory as given by his star, Pisces, clearly coinciding with his barbaric actions against his country’s citizens.  At the same time that Mugabe’s birthday anniversary was celebrated on February 21,  Pisces (February 20- March 20) advised him that, “You may be chased by some unfounded worries or a volatile situation.  Try to keep your cool as you function best that way.  Confusion may arise with travel plans, so make sure that you double check for any eventuality”. 

With this message in mind, Mugabe would not have hesitated to tell off the West together with his critics and other political opponents to “go hang”!

Why are SWAPO Members of Parliament (MPs) objecting to the opposition party MPs' motion on “Mugabe’s brutality”?  It is embarrassingly difficult to find courage to speak out on the gross human rights violations against Zimbabweans committed with the consent of Mugabe due to these grounds:

?    The SWAPO-led government has successfully and happily hosted Mugabe without openly raising a concern about the Zimbabwe crisis.  Presidents, Pohamba and Mugabe, have equally appealed to the EU and the West to lift the sanctions on Mugabe and his 100 cronies.  This was as if nothing wrong is going on with the Mugabe regime.  Our country has even promised to dish out some N$280 million through a deal struck by the Mugabe regime and Nampower for a power facilities’ bail-out.  A friend in need is a friend in deed?

Is Zimbabwe still applying Ian Smith’s Law and Order Act as their “Constitution”?  Lex injusta non est lex (a law that is not just is not a law).  Apart from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo Ben Gurirab, and opposition parties in the Namibian Parliament, there must have been many Members of Parliament who were shamed and shocked by the “objection” of Marco Hausiku, Minister of Foreign Affairs (without a Foreign Policy!) to prevent any debate on Mugabe brutality.  Has he been promised an excursion at Victoria Falls with Bob or is he dodging public scrutiny?  Sorry notorious Africa. 

We have a common standard that all have agreed upon in this world.  This standard is encompassed in the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.  For example Article 20 (1) (2), states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.  No one may be compelled to belong  to an association”. 

Furthermore, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPRs) Article 21, envisages that “the right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized.  No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are  necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public or moral rights or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”. 

We therefore need to be dictated by the law and not the law being dictated by us in this world.  Mugabe needs to listen, repent, make peace and retire, completely.


Steven Mvula
Human Rights Activist