Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa has said a lot of things about Zimbabwe of late. I have been reluctant to say a thing about Zimbabwe because the situation is so complex with so many clarion calls for so many things to happen.

But it is not fair for Chinamasa to accuse Zambia’s President Levy Mwanawasa that he is not doing anything about the western sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe in his capacity as SADC chairperson.
According to Zambia’s government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti, it is hypocritical for Mr Chinamasa, who lost the previous elections, to criticize and insult the Zambian President.

Although Mr Mulongoti has never won an election before like Chinamasa, I would like to agree with him in the advise to Chinamasa that Zimbabwe must quickly resolve its problems by holding free and fair elections first before calling for Mwanawasa and Zimbabwe’s neighbours to act on the western sanctions.
It is premature to call for a condemnation to the western imposed sanctions before addressing the internal electoral impasse.
Let Zimbabwe hold free and fair elections first and the emergent winner should then talk about the sanctions. Chinamasa is full of emotions and crossing a bridge before he gets there.
During a recent interview with a South African Television station, Mr Chinamasa said the Dr Mwanawasa was doing nothing to resolve the Zimbabwe sanctions.

It is ridiculous for Mr Chinamasa to pour abuse and disrespect on Zambia’s president and later expect him to help Zimbabwe. Mr Chinamasa should be humble. In fact, Mr Chinamasa must be the last person to say anything on this matter because he has no authority. He lost an election and is not supposed to be in government. In what capacity is he attacking Zambia? Maybe as a citizen of Zimbabwe but he should have stated that initially.

Mr Chinamasa and his colleagues must show humility and act decently because being arrogant and aloof would not take Zimbabwe anywhere.
Dr Mwanawasa indicated that Zimbabwe is a sinking titanic and this is obvious. Chinamasa expect Zambia to support the apparent brutal assault on democracy, justice and human rights that is going on in Zimbabwe? Yes, Zambia as a neighbour may condemn the sanctions in Zimbabwe but Zimbabwe must act with decency and stop the abuse.
Mr Chinamasa must use the appropriate kind of diplomacy when commenting on such matters, instead of taking to public diplomacy, which may just worsen his situation.