Robert Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe, may scrap his plans to delay next year’s presidential elections, his mouthpiece newspaper reported on Saturday, and has partially lifted a ban on political protests in Harare’s volatile townships.
But a rally planned for Sunday by opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangrai in the capital’s Mbare township remained prohibited, making fresh clashes between police and activists possible, while doctors across the country were reporting the numbers of victims of state violence were still rising. At least 200 people were treated at hospital in Harare in the past week.
In moves that would seem to show he is feeling the intensity of the international spotlight on his regime’s brutal clampdown on opposition activists, the official Herald newspaper reported the apparent U-turn by Mugabe (83). He had previously suggested delaying the 2008 elections to coincide with the 2010 parliamentary elections, effectively extending his presidential term by two years. Even ruling party members questioned the delay.
The Herald reported that Mugabe said there was consensus in his Zanu-PF party to hold both elections next year and the issue would be discussed at a central committee meeting next week, a key test of support for Mugabe amid growing signs of rifts within his party.
Rival factions supporting the former parliamentary speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa or Vice-President Joice Muguru, whose husband is an ex-army commander, are confident they can prevent another Mugabe term.
Muguru met South Africa’s deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ncguka at a Johannesburg hotel on Friday. South Africa is now spearheading the region’s diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the crisis.
There was no immediate response to Mugabe’s proposal for the ”harmonisation” of the polls from Tsvangirai’s MDC, which previously condemned any delay. The opposition holds 41 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, where Mugabe appoints 50 of the lawmakers.
MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa, himself recovering from two severe beatings by government agents, told the Observer: ”There is indiscriminate beating. Militia are pulling people off the streets and clubbing them brutally. They are getting broken bones and injuries, the Mugabe regime is desperate. They want to put the whole nation into a captive state so that people are afraid and scared to challenge the government. But people are getting very angry. This place is a ticking time bomb.”
The economy continues to plummet with inflation predicted to hit 5 000% by June. The previously splintered opposition has gathered together under the Save Zimbabwe Campaign to press for a restoration of democracy. ”Mugabe is beleaguered and he cannot find friends anywhere,” said Chamisa. ”He has a Central Committee meeting [of his Zanu-PF party] next week where he will find opposition to his plans to stand for re-election to a another six year-term.”
Chamisa (28) was discharged from hospital on Friday and is recuperating in hiding to prevent a third attack. Last Sunday he was beaten unconscious by eight men at the entrance to Harare airport. He was about to fly to Brussels to attend a European Union parliamentary conference. – Guardian Unlimited Â