Comments on: Motlanthe must be Mugabe’s bad cop

By: Lyndall Beddy

Lyndall Beddy — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:42:38 +0000

Dave

Zuma is not called the chameleon for nothing!

By: Dave Coventry

Dave Coventry — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:41:33 +0000

Traps,

My understanding is that the temporary passport was issued for Swaziland and not for South Africa. This would have meant that Tsvangarai would have had to rough it overnight at O.R.Tambo, no doubt Mugabe thought that this would be worth a giggle!

I’m not sure we can count on Zuma’s ANC to do much counter to Mugabe; last week he was castigating the MDC for their intransigence, this week (while in the US) he is criticizing Mugabe.

I suppose, this is a measure of what we can expect when he ascends the throne next year.

By: Lyndall Beddy

Lyndall Beddy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:12:31 +0000

Traps

Botswana says the only way out is new presidential elections. They are right – provided that they are monitored this time AND a SADC peace keeping force prevents violence.

By: A Quick Poll on Zim’ « African Aspects

A Quick Poll on Zim’ « African Aspects — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:02:23 +0000

[...] A Quick Poll on Zim’ Jump to Comments Events surrounding Zimbabwe have certainly not gone unnoticed in the news lately. A few examples can be found here, here, and here. Not forgetting Pettina Gappah’s rant here and Michael Trapido’s sentiments here. [...]

By: Michael Trapido

Michael Trapido — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:17:06 +0000

Lyndall – He was issued with a temporary travel document which he said (quite rightly) is an insult and further proof of games being played.

MT wants the full SADC to be present.

I’m hoping it won’t be necessary and Motlanthe advises Mugabe that if he thinks SA will help him play more games he’d best think again.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:22:12 +0000

It’s a nice thought, but hardly likely to happen. What with keeping the campsite swept clean of goggas and the like it is difficult to believe that in the current climate our new erstwhile President will find the time to take instruction, after all who are those that now give instruction, and could it be that he who instructs today will be the same that betrays you tomorrow?
Now this sort of kaka is enough to keep you way too busy to even think about Robert Mc Gabe and the solutions that should have been implemented forever ago. Most of this sort of thing is simply going to have to wait untill a new government is elected and hopefully the new (or re-elected?)president has balls suficiently large enough to give Mc Gabe one where he deserves it…

By: Lyndall Beddy

Lyndall Beddy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:26:04 +0000

Traps

Morgan can’t go to Swaziland because Mugabe won’t allow him to be issued with travel documents. Just to remind you – Morgan did win that election!

What words of wisdom from you now?

By: Chuma

Chuma — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:49:59 +0000

Once again we have the same anti- Mbeki position. For all its worth the Zimbabwean problem stems not from the Land issue as is the position of SADC and the ANC Motlanthe included. It is a governance problem exacerbated by Africa’s refusal to see it as such. This is the reason that you had Motlanthe calling for the removal of targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his cronies. It stems from the de-legitimising the MDC as representative of the interests of Zimbabweans. So in this instance where all along we they have condoned can they now draw a line and separate the political or the last electoral process from the last eight years.

And is the ANC willing to prove the fallibility,dispensable, vulnerability of a “sanctified” liberation movement at this moment in time. Is the ANC willing to show ZANU PF as just another party without it itself becoming nothing special but just another party.

By: pete ess

pete ess — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:27:03 +0000

Not only do SADC have no power, they have no WILL. They are not convinced they WANT to set a precedent of acting forcefully and telling Bob where to get off: What happens when they, in turn, fall out of favour?
Traditional African politeness and respect for age is a handy fig leaf.

By: Lyndall Beddy

Lyndall Beddy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:15:19 +0000

Traps

The trouble is SADC really CAN’T tell Mugabe what to do – they can only advise. I listened to a SADC spokesman waffling on SAFM this morning. They are only an advisory body. They do have NO power.

If the SACP-ANC wants to regain some credibility – they better take some action.