Robert Gabriel Mugabe has been top of the tree in Zimbabwe for 29 years. And in that time he has toyed with people’s lives, failed to deliver upon his own promises, and threatens anybody who stands in his way with imprisonment or worse.

Many people who have opposed Mugabe, to some extent or the other, have ended up dead, injured or just plain disappeared.

Either through questionable ‘accidents’ or by his eroding the standard of life that people are obliged to live, that they die of illness or poverty.

Who would have thought that in the 21st century, in a country which had a burgeoning economy until the advent of Mugabe, people would be dying from simple illnesses - and starvation.

For Mugabe to have succeeded as an African ruler, he needed to change nothing.

Mugabe should have paid more attention to the saying: “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!”

Recently Mugabe has stated that there are no ‘political’ prisoners in Zimbabwe.

Yet we know of at least a dozen MDC activists and members that are being pursued through the Zimbabwean courts of law. Whether a person is out on bail, on remand or serving a sentence, they are prisoners.

Mugabe refuses to swear into cabinet the MDC nominee for Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Roy Bennett. Mugabe says that the charges he faces in criminal court are too serious for him to be a member of his cabinet. (Don’t tell anyone that it is not for Mugabe to judge - either before or after any court proceedings - Bennett’s innocence or guilt.)

But Mugabe will do what he will - and no one is prepared to stand up to him - either for fear that they might ‘disappear’ or that he might have more trumped up charges levelled against them.

When was the last time that Mugabe’s actions were questioned by anyone? We all remember what happened to Peter Thachell who attempted to effect a civil arrest upon Mugabe. Battered and bruised, Thatchell was left bleeding in the gutter by Mugabe’s close security personnel.

Which is the epitome of how the Mugabe administration treats members of the MDC and innocent members of the population.

Not so long ago, the police chief, Augustine Chihuri, made the unilateral decision that any murder docket being investigated or prosecuted against any member of ZANU PF during the political violence early last year, was to be closed forthwith - never to be revisited.

How such an order can be promulgated and executed is beyond comprehension, but let us all remember that Mugabe was quoted in the press just a few weeks ago that he was unable to offer mercy or pardon to any person - until the courts had completed their job.

Rubbish! But that is immaterial to those still facing charges, as his administration is fully intent on throwing the book at each and every single one of them.

According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, a document that should represent the desires for peace and prosperity for all Zimbabweans, but which has been amended so many times that not even Mugabe knows if he is working within its boundaries, he can exercise mercy at any time.

However, I digress.

Zimbabweans are living - only just. A mere existence. Recently, a Zimbabwean lady said to me here in the UK that she had no idea how to write a shopping list as she hadn’t done it in such a long time!

I can believe that. Quite easily.

Mugabe continues to push the people down - continues to vilify the West and the MDC, alleging that one is a master to the other - and does nothing to assist the struggling people - whilst he lives in sickening opulence…

Mugabe has no intention of changing anytime soon.

Robb WJ Eliis
The Bearded Man