Prepared to perish for democracy

JOHANNESBURG - An underground and militant group, Zimbabwe Popular Resistance (ZPR), which is aiming to topple the Robert Mugabe regime through civic mass disobedience in the country, is causing headaches for Zimbabwean security agents.

The group is intensifying its campaign to dislodge the Mugabe regime despite warnings from the government to crush violently any protests in the country.

The organization, which is operating clandestinely in Zimbabwe and outside the country, plans to launch attacks on properties and business fronts owned by all those connected to the Zanu (PF) leadership. The Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) is frantically trying to trace the origins of the group in Zimbabwe in order to infiltrate it.

“Our membership, defence units, supporters and sympathizers are urged to pay no heed to the machinations of the so called ‘parliamentary election’ and not to invest their hopes in diversionary acts. Reserve your strength instead for the hard battles ahead. The struggle will be calling on you to assist soon enough, both across the Diaspora and at home,” said the ZPR last week in a printed statement posted to members.

The organisation would like to see a transitional government take over from Mugabe regime and organise democratic elections under United Nations auspices. “We are not fighting the enemy in order to hand over to armchair political entities and individuals,” said a senior official of the group in Johannesburg who refused to be named

“We have already started the groundwork but I cannot divulge the details of the operation now. We want to catch the Zanu (PF) regime unaware. The security agents are trying hard to trace us but we are working underground. The situation in Zimbabwe needs bold decision and we are prepared to perish fighting for democracy.”

The official added that the ZPR’s operations would involve a few dedicated men and women to carry out acts of civil disobedience.

“We want to hit hard on their business empires, homes and farms and sent shivers down their spines. They have been on the honeymoon for long time plundering the country’s economy. It is time to create our own terrain of struggle, a terrain of popular resistance that is determined by the masses of Zimbabweans themselves and that is free from the shackles of institutional, self-interested and big-man politics. It is time to strike fear into the hearts of the oppressors who think they are untouchable, to strike blow against their interests and institutions,” she said.

Govt tries to silence musicians

JOHANNESBURG – The Zimbabwe government, running scared in the face of mass anger at the economic hardships caused by its failed policies, is desperately trying to stifle any independent voices – including those of musicians and artists. The latest victims of its heavy-handed crack-down on freedom of expression are award-winning musician Hosea Chipanga and South African DJ Cleopas Monyepeao.

Chipanga was set to perform at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) function at Gwanzura stadium on May Day but was forced to cancel his performance after receiving anonymous threats.

Chipanga told ZCTU general secretary, Wellington Chibebe, that he was disappointed by the politics of Zimbabwe.

“Chipanga has been receiving threats through his mobile phone and they had even gone physically to his place to warm him to refrain from performing at our functions. This dictatorship by Mugabe needs to be condemned in strongest terms. Chipanga is an artist and artists speak for the voiceless. Mugabe is restricting Chipanga from sending the message to the people who desperately need it,” said Chibebe, adding that the ZCTU would not sue Chipanga for breach of contract.

Speaking from Harare, Chipanga said “I was supposed to perform at Gwanzura but I won’t be due to the threats I have been receiving through my phone. I’m not quite sure who is phoning me but I have been phoned by three different voices warning me not to perform or else loose my life.

“This is not the first time I have performed at ZCTU organized functions, so I wonder why these threats are coming now. Though I know I would be safe during the performance, my life would at stake afterwards. This is why I have decided to withdraw.”

Chipanga, who sings in Shona and whose music is laden with social and political messages, has also in the past brushed shoulders with the CIO, Zimbabwe’s dreaded spy Central Intelligence Organisation after playing songs at a state-funded public gala last August suggesting that President Robert Mugabe would only relinquish power through death.

Chibebe said the ZCTU would go ahead as planned, but emphasised it was not celebrating May Day, but commemorating it.

“We are not in a mood to celebrate. Workers are under siege, and we need to organise, unite and fight on. With workers' standards of living continuing to slide there is really nothing to celebrate,” he said.

Meanwhile DJ Cleo has been banned from performing in Zimbabwe because he "is said to have uttered bad things" during his visit to the country last year.

Cleo was scheduled to perform in Bulawayo at the weekend during the kwaito night of the Umthwakazi Arts Festival. National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) wrote to immigration officials asking them to withdraw clearance for the kwaito star to perform until these allegations had been investigated. - - Magugu Nyathi