Talk about “crushing the opposition.”
Ever since the elections, Zimbabwe has been plagued with violence and bloodshed due to post-election violence. President Robert Mugabe accuses opposition candidate and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party leader Morgan Tsvangirai for the violence. However, the UN and human rights groups blame Mugabe’s Zanu-PF Party for the violence.
Western diplomats have also said that Mugabe has ceded power to General Constantine Chiwenga the head of Zimbabwe’s military. So far, Zimbabwe is effectively run by a military junta. Tsvangirai has accused Chiwenga of executing a stealthy coup of the government. Asides from being in charge of the military, Chiwenga runs the shadow organization called Joint Operations Command (JOC). The military and Zanu-PF have been accused of using fear, intimidation, and violence to force the people to vote for Mugabe in the June 27 runoff election.
It is confirmed that Tsvangirai won the election. But, he did not have the majority needed to avoid a runoff election. Top US diplomat to African, Jendayi Frazer, accuses Mugabe of trying to steal the election.
Recently, more supporters and members of the MDC were killed. Now Tendai Biti, the MDC’s secretary general has been arrested on the charges of treason. Biti was apprehended as he arrived at the airport from his week-long trip to South Africa.
Biti is charged for a “treasonous document” that will return land to the white farmers along with dismissing members of both the military and the police if Tsvangirai is elected president. Biti could be given the death penalty if he is found guilty of treason. The MDC was quick to dismiss it as a fabrication by government intelligence. They also charged Biti for giving statements that is against the Mugabe administration.
To top that off, Tsvangirai was arrested and detained for a third time.
This is the indication that the Zanu-PF is doing whatever it takes to remain in power. Recently, a convoy of American food aid for school children was taken by security forces and given to members and supporters of the Zanu-PF.
In short, it is getting hectic and chaotic in Zimbabwe.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is charged with being the mediator in Zimbabwe, has been criticized for his stance on the issue.