Sometime between Saturday 29th March and Friday 4th April, Zanu-pf and MDC representatives met to discuss Mugabe standing down. The MDC has promised the people of Zimbabwe that if they are elected into power Mugabe will be held accountable for his violence and violation of human rights. However at the negotiation Mugabe would require a promise from the MDC that he will not be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. In order to persuade Mugabe and his government to step aside the MDC have offered assurances that they will not prosecute and instead move towards Truth and Reconciliation, in spite of this Zanu-pf have chosen to cling to power. And what of the MDC’s promise to the Zimbabwean people? It is a difficult negotiation: Mugabe must stand down, but will need to be persuaded to do so yet the MDC cannot betray its supporters. The result is a stalemate and the ability for the Zanu-pf, a corrupt and illegal government to demand a re-run of the elections. Zimbabwe, a population of 13.5 million continues to be held to ransom by a few in power.

Augustine Chihuri: the police Commissioner, Paradzai Zimondi: Head of Prisons and Constantine Chiwenga: The Army General, solidly support Mugabe and have the power to unleash violent retribution on the Zimbabwean people, or imprison those that support the opposition indefinitely, without trial. If Mugabe were to stand down these men would lose their positions of power and also be held accountable for the part they played in the violent oppression of the Zimbabwean people. The current constitution justifies violent oppression and Mugabe risks assassination by his own government if he renounces his position of power. He will be replaced by another Zanu-pf member in order to free those responsible from being held accountable for their crimes against humanity.

The MDC has made a promise to Zimbabwe to prosecute these men for their crimes, including their involvement in the Gukurahundi massacre and the assassination of MDC members. Lookout Masuku was murdered whilst being transported home by police after being granted release from prison, Rashiwe Guzha disappeared without a trace: believed to have been murdered by the Central Intelligence Agency. Captain Nhleya disappeared without a trace: rumoured to have been fed to the lions in Gonarezhon National Park, Talent Mabika assassinated in Buhera, Morgan Tsvangirai’s driver was petrol bombed in his car: murdered by Kitsi Yatota, who has never been prosecuted.

If Mugabe retains power the MDC fear an angry response from the Zimbabwean people leading to a state of emergency, resulting in an escalation of civil unrest, kidnapping, detention without trial, torture and murder. Recently, houses were burned to the ground in Morgan Tsvangirai home town as a direct warning to his supporters.
It is hoped that the European Union, SADC and the African Union can put pressure on Mugabe’s government to stand down and allow Zimbabwe to move forward with real active democratic change.