Zim's envoy to Botswana causes stir at seminar

Envoy says Gukurahundi a 'conspiracy by West'

MPHOKO -- a dead ringer with Newsnet's Reuben Barwe -- zooms in on panelists in bizarre moment at seminar

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Zimbabwe's ambassador to Botswana PHEKELEZILE MPHOKO caused a stir at a seminar when he barracked and harangued members of a panel discussion from Zimbabwe. To cap it all, he pulled out a camera and started taking pictures of lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, Bishop Trevor Manhanga, Jenni Williams and Magosonga Mahlangu from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza). In a statement issued to a Botswana newspaper, the Zimbabwe Embassy in Botswana is unapologetic and makes the staggering claim that the massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands - known as Gukurahundi - which killed 20 000 people in the early 80s was a "Western conspiracy." Here is the Embassy's statement in full:

"THE Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe would like to respond to a news item that appeared in Mmegi on 05 August 2005, where a Ditshwanelo board member, Ms Joyce Anderson requested Ambassador Mphoko to apologise for his remarks to the panellists from Zimbabwe, Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu and Attorney Beatrice Mtetwa, for distorting the facts on the situation in Zimbabwe at a Ditshwanelo focus seminar on Zimbabwe. Ditshwanelo board member, Joyce Anderson also wanted to know how Ambassador Mphoko wou1d feel if he was a woman living in Zimbabwe under the conditions painted by the said panelists.

First and foremost, Ambassador Mphoko does not owe anyone an apology for the remarks he made at the Ditshwanelo seminar on Zimbabwe. On the second question on women Ambassador Mphoko has very high regard and respect for women of integrity. His mother was a woman and his best friend is his wife who is also a woman but he despises a liar and abuser of opportunities regardless of gender. Anyone who claims that there is no rule of law and democracy in Zimbabwe is a liar. A country where there is no rule of law has its streets littered with dead bodies. There are no dead bodies in Zimbabwe. A country with no democracy has its prisons full of political prisoners, there are no political prisoners in Zimbabwe. On journalists, it is an international requirement for them to register and Zimbabwe is no exception. On Justice Paradza's case, he was arrested on corruption charges emanating from his attempts to free a business partner who was sentenced to jail for murder. There were no other considerations for his arrest.

The Senior Zanu PF officials referred to were involved in espionage. Those involved in espionage threaten national security and States take the necessary action to protect and safeguard national security.

Gukurahundi, as referred to by Mahlangu was a conspiracy by the West in order to protect the apartheid regime in South Africa.

The total strategy was to destroy the perceived lines of communication of the ANC in Zimbabwe. However Zapu and Zanu discussed the matter and sighed an agreement in December, 1987. Murambatsvina / Restore Order, is a Government programme to improve the living standards of the people of Zimbabwe or an anti-slums programme.

The Government of Zimbabwe which is the official custodian of the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe, will do everything in its power to avoid a situation where some journalists make pleasure in taking photos of an African child looking miserable with flies all over its face, or where a weak dying child will be made to stand and try to walk in front of a camera with vultures hoping behind and start to eat the child while still alive. That is the highest degree of human rights abuse. That is what will never happen in Zimbabwe. President Mugabe is being punished for his views on homosexuals and lesbians. the land reform programme and "Look East Policy". These three (3) points supported by cheque book journalism and sponsored conspiracies are the real issues against Zimbabwe and President Mugabe."
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