Robert Mugabe is using allegations (most of which appear to be of his own creation) of a plot against ZANU-PF leaders as justification to engage in what The Mail & Guardian is calling “a new, bloody, crackdown” on the opposition. Given that Mugabe and his spokespeople are blaming the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for being behind the supposed machinations it is hard to imagine that this saber rattling will be good for the already dormant negotiation process.
Mugabe's latest gnashing of teeth also ought to (once again) put paid to the idea that the world should just wait before acting against Mugabe, holding out hope instead for the negotiations to succeed. This is South African President Kgalema Motlanthe's continued untenable stand. Contra South Africa's official policy, rumors have swirled that Botswana has been behind schemes to overthrow Mugabe, and while Botswanan officials deny the allegations, the very fact of their plausible existence tells us a great deal about the differences between South Africa and Botswana on the Zimbabwe issue.
