by Judi McLeod, Canadafreepress.com
October 18, 2004
The Underground Weather Report, dispatched to the outside world from news@zvakwana.org. org over the weekend is worthy of world note.
"Harare has been gray and overcast for the last five days, but the sun broke through the clouds as Morgan Tsvangirai was acquitted in the High Court.
"and now the sky grows dark again and thunder is rumbling around reminding us that we are not yet free. Join hands in chasing this regime out."
In what is regarded as a surprise move, Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai was acquitted on treason charges last Friday.
From the little people, there was jubilation, dancing in the street and even a public show of the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change Party) open hand salute.
Tsvangirai's wife, Susan hugged and kissed him. Defense attorney George Bizos, who also defended Nelson Mandela in 1963 and is credited with saving Mandela from execution, stood with tears of joy streaming down his face.
Since his tantalizingly narrow, March 2002 election victory, Robert Mugabe has made a monopoly of power, guaranteeing that judges loyal to his party preside over the courts, shutting down the country's independent press and silencing dissent with a security law that restricts freedom of speech and association.
"It is important that we are not lulled into any sense that the judiciary is impartial and accountable," warns news@zvakwanaja in its weekend communiqu. "The acquittal was orchestrated by the regime to make our country seem law abiding and democratic. The regime is desperate to be seen (as) upstanding and to win favour with Southern african Development Communnity, (SaDC), the african Union, (aU) and the international community ahead of next year's elections."
The people of Zimbabwe look to much from the MDC. "all of Zvakwana hopes that the MDC will find some new energy and go all out to help us get a better life in Zimbabwe. We do not want fighter planes circling the skies or hundreds of black boots on the streets; we want jobs, food, good education and health care."
Zimbabwe is owed more by the international community, and particularly by Canada.
Treason charges against Tsvangirai stemmed from state accusations that Tsvangirai plotted to kill President Robert Mugabe with the help of a Canadian-based political consultant, ari Ben Menashe.
attorney Bizos made mincemeat of Menashe's testimony at trial. Judge Paddington Garwe said the state failed to prove that Tsvangirai ever asked Ben Menashe to help assassinate Mugabe. Judge Garwe said Menashe was not a reliable witness, has accepted money from the state and that his testimony was not supported any independent credible witnesses. He also said that it was clear that Menashe wanted to entrap Tsvangirai.
There was no mention of the RCMP report requested by Canada's Minister of Foreign affairs to investigate the plot.
Not only is Ben Menashe still conducting business in the City of Montreal, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), "Ottawa has known for years about Ben Menashe's trips to Zimbabwe's capital and his association with Robert Mugabe.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe came alive in joyful celebrations of all shapes and sizes on Friday night, when justice paid a rare visit to a country that lost its democracy.
"The regime can only stomp out a few fires, but they cannot dampen the spirit of change that Zimbabweans are seeking," says news@azvakwanaja.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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