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Home / New Zealand

Mugabe's election a sham, say expats (+video)

Vaimoana Tapaleao
By Vaimoana Tapaleao
Pasifika Editor·NZ Herald·
29 Jun, 2008 11:53 PM3 mins to read

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videoVideo: Mugabe sworn in as President

KEY POINTS:

Zimbabweans living in New Zealand say the presidential election at home is a "complete sham" and are calling for an independent election authority to be established.

Friday's run-off election saw Zimbabweans turn out to vote for one candidate - Robert Mugabe - after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled
out of the campaign this month, when Mr Mugabe's scare tactics turned deadly.

Ben Magaiza, who lives in Auckland, said the election was based solely around the interests of Mr Mugabe, and Zimbabweans voted out of fear.

"What was the point in calling for an election when we only have one choice? For him [Mugabe], he was just trying to be seen by the outside world that he is a democratic President.

"As far as I'm concerned, this was an un-event, in the sense it's not going to result in anything. It's not going to benefit anyone. Maybe it's going to benefit Mugabe, but not the people."

Mr Magaiza said people had three choices: vote for Mr Mugabe and be safe, vote and then spoil the voting sheet and risk being hurt, or not vote and face certain death.

"People think, 'Am I more effective dead or alive? Am I better to stay alive and fight, or die a martyr?'

"Leadership is about serving; it's not a position. Hopefully we'll see a new constitution and an independent election authority made up during this transition period," Mr Magaiza said.

Adams Makope, who has lived in New Zealand for almost four years, acknowledged that the sham election had illustrated Mr Mugabe's desire for power at any cost.

"The good thing is that the whole world has woken up to the regime and that the whole election process is a sham. We'll wait to see if this man re-elects himself - though there was no want of him from Zimbabwean people."

Zimbabwean Association of NZ chairman Titus Katiyo called the election process "not relevant to anyone".

A compromise between Mr Mugabe's party and the Movement for Democratic Change should be made, in order for Zimbabwe to move forward as a united country.

"They have to compromise - this side is pulling right and the other is going left. This is doing a lot of damage to the people. They have to put their differences aside for one moment and think about the people."

Benjamin Paradza is a Zimbabwean judge who fled in 2006 and is now living in New Zealand. Mr Paradza said a UN peacekeeping force is now needed in Zimbabwe.

"Even Non-Governmental Organisations are being refused to do their role of helping people who are starving and dying of disease. My view that is an ideal situation where the international community - through the UN - should be allowed in under the UN charter," Mr Paradza said.

He said the move would likely be opposed by Mugabe who would bring up arguments of sovereignty.

"But surely, when you are killing your own people, the world cannot just watch," Mr Paradza said.

He said UN intervention would provide hope to the people of Zimbabwe and better facilitate interaction with the international community.

Mr Makope said the way forward was a negotiated settlement that reflected the March 29 vote, which put Mr Tsvangirai in the lead but without a majority of the ballots.

"Concerning the present regime, everyone just wants to see the back of him [Mugabe]. They've done enough damage. We want a government which recognises right law."


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Opinion

What should be done in Zimbabwe?

23 Jun 08:33 PM
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