LOUIS TRICHARDT – Councillors of the Makhado Municipal Council applauded this week when the election in Zimbabwe was described in council as "free and fair."

AZAPO councillor T E Nephawe rose to speak when the agenda of the monthly council meeting called for official congratulations and condolences.

He was applauded when he congratulated Robert Mugabe on his re-election as president of Zimbabwe and said it was obvious to all observers that the election was completely free and fair. He said that some did not want to admit this, for fear of economic reprisals by some Western countries. He described the election as a victory for "African re-awakening" over "neo-colonialism".

He did not offer condolences to the bereaved African families of those abducted, assaulted, robbed, tortured, maimed and murdered, during the election, with Mugabe's tacit approval and moral support.