Dictator, Bigot, Racist - Mugabe Turns 87

Today is Mugabe's 87th birthday. I have no want or desire to send him any birthday congratulations. He remains at the top of Zimbabwean politics – but we all know that he is living a lie.

In every election since 1980, Mugabe has used violence and intimidation to secure himself and his unruly and vicious party in power.

When Mugabe first took power, almost 31 years ago – I was still at school – he intimated to the world that he would adopt a 'forgive and forget' policy and that whites in Zimbabwe were welcome to stay. But he soon changed his mind, but nor before he picked on his first target – the people of Matabeleland.

The Gukurahundi lasted until 1987 and only finished once Mugabe and his long-time opponent Joshua Nkomo signed a Peace Accord.

Between twenty and thirty thousand people died at the hands of his specially trained Fifth Brigade.

Mugabe refuses to apologise to the Matabele people, preferring to excuse the operation as a 'moment of madness'.

Thereafter, we have seen his ego stroked and stoked as he has ordered suffering upon suffering on the Zimbabwean people.

First of all, in 2000, having been rejected in a referendum for a new Constitution, Mugabe ordered the beginning of the landgrab.

Vicious, bloody, deadly, destructive and damaging, whilst ZANU PF describe the operation as 'successful', the agricultural sector of Zimbabwe has yet to recover, and vast numbers of the population are now reliant upon food aid to survive.

Then, in 2005, Mugabe ordered Operation Murambatsvina, allegedly to clear illegal residences and structures, but largely seen as an attempt to wrong foot the Movement for Democratic Change, the forced eviction of some 700000 people and their dumping at an undeveloped farm near Zimbabwe has left many families without a breadwinner, without adequate housing and with no regular income.

Meanwhile, the economy was struggling, with the inflation rate reaching astronomical figyres – to the point that the country finally shelved their own currency and now deal in US dollars, South African rands, British pounds and the Euro.

The 2008 elections proved to be comedy half hour, with Mugabe effecting his own 're-election' by putting the MDC to the knife,forcing the withdrawal of the MDC leader from the election.

Despite ZANU PF losing the general election, they continue to hold all the key ministries and we see more and more financial control being taken over, forcibly, by the Mugabe party.

The latest controversy is the disappearance of some US$100 million from the secret diamond sales. Much of the money is believed to be now in personal coffers, with some money also being given a new home in the accounts of the Mugabe party, which, not so long ago, was reportedly broke.

Having destroyed the once brilliant economy of Zimbabwe, and blaming that demise upon 'illegal economic sanction' by the West, today we will see Mugabe attend a huge birthday bash where food and drink will flow in abundance. It should also be noted that money was forcibly taken from individuals and companies under duress by ZANU PF, although I doubt that there would be any full accounting for that money.

Mugabe, reportedly in bad health, is reported as having intentions to attend the celebrations, although some articles would suggest that he will do so under heavy sedation.

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Today is no cause for any celebration for anyone in Zimbabwe apart from those within ZANU PF. The people of Zimbabwe continue to suffer and struggle to live normal standards, whilst those that have forcibly taken office in Zimbabwe drink and eat to their heart's content.

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man