ZIMBABWE:A once-celebrated anniversary in Africa's political calendar was transformed yesterday into an occasion for threats and a new smear campaign against Zimbabwe's pro-democracy movement.
In a public address to mark his country's 27th year of independence, President Robert Mugabe accused opponents of "fomenting anarchy" at the behest of alleged western masters.
Addressing 30,000 supporters in Harare's main sports stadium, Mr Mugabe (83) described the main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as a "pathetic puppet" of Britain and the US. "As government, our message remains clear: that we will never hesitate to deal firmly with those elements who are bent on fomenting anarchy and criminal activities," he said.
The new threat follows a government decision to deregister all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and aid agencies in Zimbabwe in an attempt to weed out political opponents of Mr Mugabe. Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, the minister of information and publicity, said that all NGOs would have to submit new applications to remain in the country because, he claimed, some were using relief activities as a cover for supporting opposition groups.
Trócaire, which supports a number of outspoken human rights organisations in Zimbabwe, said it would not be immediately affected by the clampdown, as it operated "from a distance", channelling funds through local partners.
However, the agency's Southern Africa programme officer, Niall O'Keeffe, expressed concern that some Zimbabwean NGOs would "spend the next six months troubled by their own survival", thus losing focus ahead of next year's proposed parliamentary and presidential elections.
Goal's director, John O'Shea, said that it had yet to encounter any obstacles from the Zimbabwean government. He emphasised that the agency gave humanitarian aid to those who needed it, regardless of political affiliation.
Concern, which like Goal is mainly involved in humanitarian work said it had yet to establish what impact, if any, the move would would have on its work.
Traditionally, African leaders mark Zimbabwe's independence anniversary with messages of unqualified support for Mr Mugabe. But South Africa's foreign affairs minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, described the occasion as a time for reflection.
She said South African president Thabo Mbeki, who was appointed by regional governments to act as a facilitator on the Zimbabwean crisis, was seeking a solution. However, "South Africa cannot do any magic," she said.