Mar 29, 2005 4:30 am US/Pacific
Mugabe: Zimbabwe Opposition Are Traitors
Parliamentary Elections Are Scheduled For March 31
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) ―
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President Robert Mugabe
CBS
President Robert Mugabe branded supporters of the country's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party as traitors in comments broadcast repeatedly on state radio Tuesday, raising fears of new political violence two days ahead of parliamentary elections.
"All those who will vote for the MDC are traitors," state radio quoted Mugabe as saying to a ruling ZANU-PF party rally Monday at Mutoko, 90 miles northeast of Harare.
Similar comments by the president in the past have encouraged ruling party and youth militia's to take violent action against opposition supporters and candidates.
Mugabe's comments come in the wake of a call by Roman Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo on Sunday for a "nonviolent mass popular uprising" if the ruling party wins the election by fraud.
In a telephone interview Tuesday, Archbishop Pius Ncube said Mugabe's "traitor" accusation revived ominous memories of moves against suspected opposition voters after previous elections.
In 1985, tens of thousands of black families were evicted from their homes into midwinter cold until they could produce ruling party cards. That year, Mugabe told victorious supporters: "Now take your sticks and beat out the snakes among you."
Parliamentary elections in 2000 and presidential elections in 2002 were marred by widespread state-sanctioned political violence and intimidation.
"It may be quiet now, but we are not sure what will happen after these elections," said Ncube. "They (ZANU-PF) might go around punishing people and beating them up — they are very violent. You are dealing with people who bullied everyone into silence in the past."
Ncube said he has been followed and all his telephones are tapped.
Reginald Matshaba-Hove, director of Zimbabwe's independent Electoral Support Network, said he was concerned about Mugabe's comment and had asked foreign observer teams to stay in the country for at least a week after the polls because of fears of renewed violence.
Ncube said he believes intimidation of voters by political control of food distribution, and rigging, will ensure the appearance of victory for ZANU-PF.
(© 2005 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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