weapons of war

I am in shock right now. The Mail and Gaurdian reported yesterday that South Africa has been supplying Zimbabwe with weapons of war, including helicopters, revolvers and cartridges -- despite the mounting human rights atrocities in that country.

"Information at the Mail & Guardian’s disposal points to a cosy relationship between the defence forces of both countries, as well as government-to-government arms transfers. This appears to conflict with President Thabo Mbeki’s mediation role between the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC, which demands neutrality. "Read the full story here.

I have become increasingly frustrated and anguished with Mbeki in the last few months. If anyone had the opportunity to exert meaningful pressure on Mugabe, it was him. Instead, he remained silent. Now, it appears he was complicit in this brutal regime's terror tactics.

Shame.

I cannot understand it.

After all that South Africans endured to achieve democracy, this is what emerges.

Today, the words of a South African poet Sandile Dikeni hang in the air:

Nowadays
they don't hang you by the neck
till you die
They dangle you by the feet
till the blood comes to your brain.