MDC calls on SADC to defend Zimbabweans' vote - too cowardly to it themselves!

“We believe that time has come for Sadc to pronounce itself on this matter (security sector reforms). Sadc needs to make it clear that in terms of its treaty, the military has got no role to play in political processes and that Sadc stands ready to protect and defend the democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe,” Jameson Timba told the diplomats.

What exactly does MDC want President Zuma and SADC to say or do about security sector reforms? What treaty is MDC talking about?

It is one thing to say SADC should stand “ready to protect and defend the democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe” Mr Timba. We are keen to see that. Zimbabweans have been denied a democratic voice in the governance of the country all their lives. In 2008, in his determination to retain political power at all costs, Mugabe stepped up the political violence to new nauseating heights of violence, brutality and arrogance; he openly used the Police, Army and CIO to carryout out his dirty and murderous work. Yes Mr Timba, it would be nice if SADC or someone could make sure this does not happen ever again.

It is not enough, Mr Timba, for you, your leader, Prime Minister Tsvangirai, or anyone to simply call for the protection of the people’s democratic will without saying what exactly SADC is supposed to do. The devil is in the detail, Mr Timba. What exactly does MDC expect SADC do to?

Mugabe has again and again made his views known about security sector reforms. The Police and Army have behaved in a totally “professional” manner; the dictator said this again on Hero’s Day, hardly a week ago. There will therefore be no security sector reforms.

Short of SADC sending in the Army and Police – which it will never do – there is really nothing else SADC can do.

MDC should have used its Parliamentary majority to charge the rogue Brigadier-General Nyikayaramba of high treason for his threat to subvert the democratic will of the people should Mugabe and Zanu PF lose the next election. That would have settled the question of what those in the security sector can and can not do once and for all.

Parliament has the power to impeach the State President and Commander-In-Chief of all the State’s Armed Services, surely the same Parliament can charge a mere Brigadier-General of treason.

Parliament is the highest authority in the land but when those entrusted with the said authority fail to exercise it they make a mockery of Parliament itself! By failing to using the parliamentary powers to restore the rule of law MDC are doing Zimbabwe a great disserve; they are denying the nation the benefit of freedom and good governance.

MDC are calling on SADC to protect and defend the people of Zimbabwe’s democratic rights because the party is too cowardly to stand up to the mark itself! Tsvangirai is seeking in SADC a scapegoat for his own GNU years mind blowing incompetency and blundering.