Leaders should put people above self and selfish interest

The Zimbabwe African People's Union Europe province would like to respond to statements by some leaders in the Zimbabwe inclusive government which clearly have been uttered so carelessly and irresponsibly that they cannot go without our robust challenge.

While we respect that it is the right of any leader to embark on the business of electioneering with a desire to ascend to some position of power, and that in the process they want to gunner as many votes as they may canvass for and also want to be liked; however, we abhor, any leadership, any organisation which puts people's lives in danger just to achieve its nefarious goals.

It has been so disturbing to Zimbabweans in all corners of the world to learn that the British authorities are revealing that the on going deportation of Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers is based on the advice from Mr Morgan Tswangirai, the Prime minister in the GNU who has always maintained that the situation in Zimbabwe has normalized and exiles should now return home. He continues to do that against the backdrop of his own supporters being killed and intimidated endlessly in the country.

What Mr Tswangirai does not understand is that he is playing with people's lives as if he created them and as if they are his toys. People have lost so much because of the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe, no sane Zimbabwean would leave his country of birth to unwelcoming and sometimes abusive host countries. Only a fool would even insinuate that the situation in Zimbabwe has normalised, even a green alien would not dare suggest such an insult.

It must be noted that despite his call for the return of Zimbabweans abroad, no systems have been put in place to receive them, support and integrate them back into the main stream society.

The international community hasn't shown faith and belief in his claim by removing the sanctions. The entire manufacturing and production industries have collapsed into ruins.
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ZAPU Europe wishes to register in no uncertain terms its opposition to the PM's misguided utterances, as ZAPU Europe province with many supporters in the UK are opposed to any form of forced removal of failed asylum seekers. The fact that they may have failed to produce enough evidence as to convince the authorities does not necessarily mean their cases have no foundation nor does it mean they must lose being treated in a dignified manner as human beings let alone as a result of the words from the prime minister of their motherland.

These are the people who have suffered untold emotional and psychological trauma, they suffered in the hands of Robert Mugabe and his oppressive regime, they had to leave their loved ones, familiar environments to unknown territories; where they experienced discrimination, loss of skills, loss of expertise and knowledge, because they were not allowed to work. They have been made social outcast, now the man who wants their votes is secretly advising the British government to deport them; for how long should our people be made to suffer? ZAPU will not stand idle and fold its arms when its supporters and innocent Zimbabweans in general are being trampled on by unscrupulous politicians.

Surely a big question arises, how long will Zimbabweans continue to be treated so inhumanly at the hands of those that run their country?

Any true representative of Zimbabweans in the situation of failed asylum seekers would be advocating for their dignified treatment including endeavouring to involve the UN High commissioner for refugees who has always treated people fleeing wars and violence with dignity and humility.

This is not the first time that Zimbabweans have been displaced through bad governance of their country.

At independence, they were returned by the UNHCR through a dignified programme called 'Voluntary Repatriation of Zimbabweans'.

Even if it means trying to get more people to vote for them, it must never be at the expense of long suffering and innocent Zimbabweans. It is even clearer that some leaders are now only focusing their eyes at state house. Their desire is to get there at all costs, even if it means stepping over dead bodies to get there, they will do it.

Zimbabweans, fellow patriotic citizens and countrymen, as we begin our march to the elections in our country, we have a golden opportunity to shape our future, our children's and future generations, it might not come again for another decade or two. Let us use it wisely.

ZAPU has known and understood the suffering and will always be on the side of the people with the people all the time. We are nation builders without any pretence. We have seen it happen within the ranks of our party and we know what we are talking about.