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(NEWZIMBAWE) Zimbabwe claims evidence of Botswana plot to invade

COMMENT - Is there a connection to the soldiers who went on a 'rampage' in Harare?

Zimbabwe claims evidence of Botswana plot to invade
Posted to the web: 15/12/2008 03:22:23

ZIMBABWE scaled up its diplomatic war with Botswana on Monday, saying there was “compelling evidence” that it had trained bandits in preparation for a military invasion to overthrow President Robert Mugabe’s government.

The sensational claims were made by Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who said evidence that Botswana had “rendered itself a surrogate of Western imperial powers… and that it has decided to be a destabilising factor in the region” had been handed over to the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

Botswana has previously denied allegations by the Zimbabwe government that it had recruited former elements of Zimbabwe’s security services and youths from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai in preparation for a military offensive.

Relations between the two neighbours are at an all-time low. Last month, Botswana’s foreign minister invited the ire of Zimbabwean officials when he called on regional countries to close their borders, and squeeze President Mugabe out of power.

Chinamasa said: "You are aware that the last time the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security met in Harare, we lodged a complaint against Botswana. Botswana has availed its territory, material and logistical support to MDC-T for the recruitment and military training of youths for the eventual destabilisation of the country with a view to effecting illegal regime change.

"Compelling evidence has already been proffered and the matter is now in the hands of the (Sadc) Troika and it is not for us to say how the matter will proceed. The Troika is now in charge of the matter and we all await their next move.

"What evidence is there establishes that Botswana has rendered itself a surrogate of Western imperial powers, that it is acting contrary to its past role as a Frontline State, and that it has decided to be a destabilising factor in the region.

"My plea to (Ian) Khama and his government is to think carefully about the irreversible harm they have been plotting to unleash on the region.”

Speaking to the state-run Herald newspaper, Chinamasa said the Botswana government had put itself “on a course that is bound to bring a lot of suffering on Zimbabweans and the region, including the population of Botswana."

Chinamasa, the Herald said, declined to say what evidence had been found. But the paper said its sources indicated that Botswana had recruited former Zimbabwe security personnel who had “spilled the bins after gathering sufficient information from inside”.

It said the plot was “to train groups of bandits who would instigate instability that would give the West a pretext to get the United Nations Security Council leeway to authorise a military invasion of Zimbabwe”.

Tsvangirai currently remains in Botswana where he says he will not leave before he is issued a passport by the Zimbabwe government. He left on a travel document which has since expired.

Tsvangirai’s MDC has threatened to block a constitutional amendment paving the way for a unity government with Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF party from passing in parliament in a dispute over the control of the security portfolios in the new government.

But Chinamasa said Tsvangirai’s party had been negotiating in bad faith, “talking peace while preparing for war”.

"As far as we are concerned as Zanu PF,” he said, “we have done all we can to ensure peace and stability in the country which are prerequisites for economic recovery. MDC-T, on the other hand, is bent on foisting war on the country and the region. It has become evident that MDC-T is negotiating in bad faith and has engaged in dialogue as a ploy to string us along. They lack sincerity.

"We now have evidence that while they were talking peace they have been preparing for war and insurgency, as well as soliciting the West to invade our country on the pretext of things like cholera.

"We can look our people in the eye and say ‘enough is enough’. Our backs are now to the wall and a day may soon come when each and every one of us may be called to defend our revolutionary gains and our sovereignty.”

Chinamasa said last week that if the MDC vetoed the constitutional amendment, that would lead to a collapse of the power sharing agreement signed on September 15 and new elections would be ordered.

No comment was immediately available from the government of Botswana on Zimbabwe’s latest claims.

Labels: BOTSWANA, COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, MDC, NEOCOLONIALISM

posted by MrK @ 6:56 AM