Violence in Zimbabwe
May 26, 2008
I saw a quote yesterday from Thabo Mbeki, South African president, that he made in response to the violence toward foreigners in South Africa right now. This is what Mr. Mbeki said: "There can never, ever be any justification for criminal, violent activity against anyone. That's something we have to act against
very firmly, and stop. "
He was also reported to have said on state radio, "Today we are faced with a disgrace... a humiliating disgrace for our nation where you have a handful of people, a minority in our community, that decides to commit crime against fellow Africans."
I guess that's true in South Africa, but not in Zimbabwe, where Mr. Mbeki seems to believe that violence is justified, or else I'm sure he would condemn it there like he did in his own country. If it's wrong for South Africans to attack Zimbabweans, as Mr. Mbeki said it is, then why isn't it wrong for Zimbabweans to attack Zimbabweans? And if it's wrong for the minority to impose their will in South Africa through violence, isn't it also wrong in Zimbabwe?
Now I see that Zimbabwean Catholics and Anglicans are being harassed for their leaders' remarks against violence and the current situation. If the government is persecuting some Christians, what's to stop them from persecuting all Christians? Mr. Mugabe is threatening to evict the U.S. ambassador, who is aiding and abetting the opposition, according to Mr. Mugabe. We are watching is the disintegration of a modern state, where inflation may now be as high as one million percent.
It makes me think of the poem written by a pastor concerning the situation in Germany in the late '30s.
He was also reported to have said on state radio, "Today we are faced with a disgrace... a humiliating disgrace for our nation where you have a handful of people, a minority in our community, that decides to commit crime against fellow Africans."
I guess that's true in South Africa, but not in Zimbabwe, where Mr. Mbeki seems to believe that violence is justified, or else I'm sure he would condemn it there like he did in his own country. If it's wrong for South Africans to attack Zimbabweans, as Mr. Mbeki said it is, then why isn't it wrong for Zimbabweans to attack Zimbabweans? And if it's wrong for the minority to impose their will in South Africa through violence, isn't it also wrong in Zimbabwe?
Now I see that Zimbabwean Catholics and Anglicans are being harassed for their leaders' remarks against violence and the current situation. If the government is persecuting some Christians, what's to stop them from persecuting all Christians? Mr. Mugabe is threatening to evict the U.S. ambassador, who is aiding and abetting the opposition, according to Mr. Mugabe. We are watching is the disintegration of a modern state, where inflation may now be as high as one million percent.
It makes me think of the poem written by a pastor concerning the situation in Germany in the late '30s.
When they came for the communists,Lord, help all the citizens of Zimbabwe. Give them peace and rest from the powers that try to tear the country apart. Grant my brothers and sisters protection and safety. Amen.
I remained silent;
after all I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
after all I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
after all I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
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