Basic HTML Version
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, August 22, 1980
Page 19
Tekere has been the champion of those Africans who beli�ved that upon in
dependence, everything should come their way instantly, as Britain's NOW
newsmagazine put it, "not only...parliamentary power, but also the white
man's home, the white man's car and the white man's position as boss."
Tekere has a big political following. Mugabe found himself on a political
hot seat. To continue to hold Tekere in prison could have led to massive
unrest, but to release him could send thousands of whites packing to South
Africa.
Mugabe chose a middle course. He intervened to have Tekere released on
bail, giving his own personal assurance of a future trial. But he has
only bought time. If Tekere is convicted, riots are certain to occur.
If he is acquitted (and there is no doubt whatsoever of his guilt) whites
will be assured that the judicial system is no longer independent of poli
tical pressure.
Thus Zimbabwe has all the earmarks of the chaos which erupted in the throei
of inde�endence of the former Belgiar. Ccngc in 1960.
Tribal Conflict Looms
In a surprise development when he took office, Mr. Mugabe had announced
that Lieutenant General Peter Walls, chief of the Rhodesian Army, would
retain his post and preside over the integration of the regular army
with two guerrilla forces, one of them Mugabe's, the other belonging to
archrival Joshua Nkomo. It was to be an impossible task. Walls has now
resigned.
"So great is the split behind the facade of army unity," reports NOW,
"that there is talk in Salisbury that the attempt to form a unified
command will be abandoned and two forces will be formed along tribal
lines"--again, one loyal to Mugabe and one loyal to Nkomo, who has never
given up his quest for political power.
"This is a formula for disaster," continues NOW, "pointing the way toward
all-out black-versus-black civil war. Incredibly, the remaining Rhodesia
white soldiers are supposedly to be split between the two forces. They
would certainly leave before that occurs.
"Mugabe, the revolutionary turned pragmatist," concludes NOW, "is trying
to survive in the whirlpool of emotion, fear and frustration, trying to
attract aid, trying to appease the revolutionary blacks and to assuage
fears of the whites, he has a task no man can envy."
It's tough to plow the sea.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau