democracy

There has been ongoing criticism of President Robert Mugabe’s intentions to hold elections in March 2013, with civil society groups warning this date is ‘unrealistic’ and ‘impossible’.

In a press statement, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network says that civic groups have also said elections in March will not be free and fair, because of the lack of key reforms that still need to take place by then.

According to an article on IRIN News, an attack on a political rally by uniformed soldiers is stoking fears of a reprise of state-sponsored violence against NGOs, human rights activists and parties opposed to ZANU-PF in the lead-up to a referendum on a draft constitution and scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections in 2013.

Welshman Ncube, the leader of the smaller Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), addressed a gathering of about 1 000 people in the Mashonaland East Province last week before the assault occurred.

President Jacob Zuma is using his time at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to make a wholehearted push for changes in the way the global body maintains international peace and security.

As part of the country’s aims at this year’s General Assembly, South Africa is calling on the UN to overhaul the Security Council, in order to make it more effective in dealing with crises in various countries.

Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) chairperson, Wayne Duvenage, says that it is difficult to advise members of the public on what they should do.

Duvenage however, warns that motorists should be mindful of the fact that OUTA is preparing for the High Court review of the system, in November 2012.

His comment follows the ruling in which the Constitutional Court overturned an interim order which halted the implementation of the controversial e-tolling system on Gauteng’s highways.

President Jacob Zuma has told the 67th sitting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly that the rule of law is essential in creating a better world.

Zuma pointed out that South Africa's foreign policy aims to contribute to a better South Africa, Africa and world, which could only become realised via a global commitment to the rule of law and human rights.

Trade union, Solidarity, has described as ‘shocking and outdated’, the statement by President Jacob Zuma that in a democracy, the majority prevails.

Solidarity deputy chief executive, Dirk Hermann, argues that Zuma’s view creates two levels of citizens in South Africa, adding that, “One has more rights - that is to say the majority - and other has fewer rights, minorities.”

According to an article titled, ‘Peoples Charter Drafted in Swaziland’, by Richard Lee, the Swaziland Week of Action might be over but the campaign to transform Africa's last absolute monarchy into a more open and democratic society clearly is not.

Lee is of the view that with momentum - and international awareness about the abuses of the ruling regime - growing, pro-democracy activists will continue to press for change.

An opinion poll conducted by Afrobarometer shows fears of political violence breaking out during elections next year persist among Zimbabwean voters.

The study, titled ‘Voting Intentions in Zimbabwe: A Margin of Terror?’ notes that "Zimbabweans remain deeply concerned about political violence".

88 percent of the respondents think that multiparty competition ‘often’ or ‘always’ leads to violent conflict. 63 percent of Zimbabweans say that during an election campaign they personally fear becoming a victim of political intimidation and violence.