Mugabe’s Nazi tactics
Last week we reported that a Zimbabwean bishop has elected not to protest against the political harassment of a priest in his diocese. Fr Patrick Kelly of Mutare diocese has gone into hiding after experiencing sustained intimidation by President Robert Mugabe¹s so-called “war veterans”.
Bishop Alexio Muchabaiwa has defended his silence in stark terms: “One has to be very careful in matters of this nature, otherwise you are putting many lives in danger.”
In one brief sentence, Bishop Muchabaiwa summarises Zimbabwe’s new culture of fear. If even the bishop were to speak out, “many lives” would be in danger. What sanctions are faced by non-bishops who speak out?
It is difficult to blame the bishop for succumbing to such intimidation. Pope Pius XII adopted the same line of defence in his dealings with Nazi Germany. Pius was disinclined to speak out against the Nazi regime for fear of retaliation against Catholics in Germany and the occupied territories. He had good grounds for concern. An anti-Nazi statement issued by the Dutch bishops in the occupied Netherlands had led to a round up and transport to concentration camps of Jewish converts to Catholicism.
Historians continue to debate Pius’ wartime actions (and inactions). Many regard his World War II policies without much esteem. With the benefit of hindsight, it is fair to say that the pope’s policy was not the most effective. One may hope that the Zimbabwean bishops’ conference, similarly disinclined to criticise the Mugabe regime, will have noted the lessons of Pius XII.
Mr Mugabe feigns to observe a democratic constitution
and changes at will. His democratic pretences not-withstanding, it would be no misrepresentation to compare the repressive manoeuvres of his regime with those of fascist Italy or Nazi Germany.
Even more alarming are the unconfirmed reports of rape camps allegedly set up by Mr Mugabe’s stormtroopers in order to “punish” political opponents and their families. Such camps employ the most despicable form of warfare against civilians as a political weapon, and are rightly regarded with disgust by all right-thinking people.
What should be of concern to those who still regard Mr Mugabe as a legitimate leader is that even if the reports of rape camps were fabricated, few observers would be surprised if such camps in fact existed in Zimbabwe.
President Thabo Mbeki has dismissed calls on his government to apply firm pressure on the Mugabe regime, saying that South Africa would continue to negotiate with all sides in Zimbabwe.
One might ask two questions of Mr Mbeki, who has devoted so much of his life to fighting for democracy: Would you have negotiated with the likes of Hitler or Mussolini, and should
you still negotiate with Mr Mugabe?
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