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Mugabe Aides Use Violence in Bid for Amnesty

Associates fear retribution from newly powerful opposition

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Apr 10, 2009 7:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Aides to Robert Mugabe, fearing that the end is near and they will be prosecuted for their misdeeds, are trying to gain leverage through familiar means—abduction and torture, the New York Times reports. The strategy seems to boil down to this: Jail as many opposition figures as possible on trumped up charges of treason, then extract confessions through harsh interrogations. The charges can then be used as leverage in talks about granting political amnesty.

Four Mugabe loyalists described the strategy, though others think it's not so much about amnesty as forcing opposition members to quit the government altogether. When questioned about the use of abduction, one Mugabe official who spoke on the record answered, "There could have been something like that, but how am I to know?"

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called for national reconciliation and forgiveness after years of political conflict in the country.
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called for national reconciliation and forgiveness after years of political conflict in the country.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
President Robert Mugabe, left, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are seated during a photo session after a swearing in ceremony of deputy minsters at State House in Harare, Feb. 19, 2009.
President Robert Mugabe, left, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are seated during a photo session after a swearing in ceremony of deputy minsters at State House in Harare, Feb. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Opposition supporters attend a rally in Harare, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 after Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, portrait on banner, was sworn in by President Robert Mugabe.
Opposition supporters attend a rally in Harare, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 after Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, portrait on banner, was sworn in by President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe delivers his speech at the burial of Zimbabwe Army Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe in Harare, Saturday, March 14, 2009.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe delivers his speech at the burial of Zimbabwe Army Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe in Harare, Saturday, March 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe attends the burial of Zimbabwe Army Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe in Harare, Saturday, March 14, 2009. Zvinavashe died after a long illness in Harare on March 10.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe attends the burial of Zimbabwe Army Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe in Harare, Saturday, March 14, 2009. Zvinavashe died after a long illness in Harare on March 10.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
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Mugabe silences most vocal critic
Times (UK)

Waves of abductions strike Zimbabwe activists
Independent (UK)

 
Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • amnesty • political intimidation

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