Canada’s Zimbabwean community hopeful turmoil will bring change

Members of Canada’s Zimbabwean community are expressing hope that political turmoil unfolding in their homeland will bring lasting change after longtime president Robert Mugabe was placed under house arrest by the country’s military leaders.

Zimbabwe’s army said it had taken Mugabe and his wife into custody and was securing government offices in the capital of Harare following a night of unrest that included a military takeover of the state broadcaster.

The activity triggered speculation of a coup, as soldiers and armoured vehicles filled the streets. But the army insisted it was only targeting “criminals” in Mug abe’ s inner circle in an attempt to restore democracy. The army’s supporters praised the actions as a “bloodless correction.”

In Canada, members of the Zimbabwe an community said they hoped the events signalled what could be the start of a new era.

“This is going to change a lot of things,” said Regis Musango, chair of the Zimbabwe Cultural Society of Alberta .“The (2018) Zimbabwe elections will happen in a peaceful and democratic way, and you are going to have the leader people want. There is no imposition of leadership (anymore).”

The 93-year-old Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, has been in power since Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980. He has long been accused of human rights abuses, including crackdowns on dissent, while Zimbabwe’ s economy has suffered amid massive inflation and international sanctions.

The latest developments had some Zimbabwean-Canadians wondering whether anew government could take over and open up international trade.

“I made a trip back to Zimbabwe this year after 17 years and it was sad to see the way the country had deteriorated,” said Belinda Fernandez, a Toronto resident who was born in Zimbabwe.

“Once-posh areas have become high-density areas with the smell of sewage in the air in parts of Harare.”

Global Affairs Canada has advised Canadians in the Zimbabwe capital of Harare to stay indoors and monitor the media as events unfold.