Mugabe+is+Zims+real+problem,+Ivor+Davis,+The+Star



=Mugabe is Zim's real problem=

Letters, The Star, Johannesburg, August 31, 2005
If Dominic Tweedie believes the South African "loan" has suddenly produced compassion in Robert Mugabe towards his suffering povo (Shona for the poor), he will believe anything (Letters, August 22).

I hear that not only does the destruction of dwellings continue but homeless/jobless folk are fined if they do not clear the rubble.

Trucks laden with tents, blankets, maize meal and medicines are still stuck this side of Beit Bridge because Mugabe won't give the churches the necessary duty relief documents enabling these badly needed supplies to cross the border and reach his thousands of victims.

A disturbing revelation is that the many Aids sufferers who have been despatched to the rural areas are going to find it much more difficult to secure retroviral drugs.

Far from "moderating," Mugabe is hell bent on depriving opponents of their Zim passports to stop them spreading the bad news overseas.

Those who have been deprived of their land or property will find it more difficult to apply to the courts for justice.

The opposition and the big-circulation independent newspaper, Daily News, remains banned.

His latest wheeze is the creation of another useless talking shop, an "upper house senate" of 60 political has-beens.

This is an expensive white elephant with plenty of scope for bloated salaries and "allowances". Is this why he needs that "loan"? (I place the word in quotes as loans are supposed to be paid back.)

I am not advocating military force to effect a regime change, but it is worth noting that Mwalimu Julius Nyerere lost patience with maniac Idi Amin and sent his Tanzanian army across his border into Uganda and rapidly gave Idi and his entourage the heave-ho out of the country he ruined.

By his track record, it is obvious that Mugabe cannot solve Zimbabwe's many problems. He is the main problem.

Sandton**
 * Ivor Davis


 * Zimbabwe has given the SA Council of Churches a duty free permit to import nearly 5 000 blankets to the country.

However, a duty-free permit is still awaited for the 37 tons of food also sent as a donation to people who lost their homes and possessions in Mugabe's controversial urban clean-up operation. - Letters Editor