People will vote for a party with sustainable economic programmes

Election euphoria is slowing gripping the foreign and independent media in Zimbabwe much more than the electorate itself. As usual the independent media is painting a gloomy picture ahead of the elections by concluding that the forthcoming elections will be characterised by violence and vote rigging. Politicians, especially in the opposition camp, because of the uncertainty of their positions after the elections, now cease every opportunity to create conditions which will make observers think that the elections will not credible.

It is now time for serious politicians and political parties to take the electorate seriously. Zimbabweans in their diversity will vote peacefully if politicians and political parties create conditions that promote freedom of choice. People are tired of politicians heckling each other without making meaningful contribution to the revival of the economy and promotion of genuine peace in the country. What people want are meaningful and sustainable programmes which will turnaround the fortunes of Zimbabwe into the breadbasket of Africa.

Zimbabweans by their very nature will vote for a party with programmes which will guarantee people both political and economic freedom, and the restoration of the economy in a peaceful environment. The onus is on politicians to quickly understand this and prevent their personal egos to drive Zimbabwe into political and economic obscurity.

The events of the past week which saw opposition parties and politicians, use the horrific death of an innocent boy, Christpower Maisiri, to garner cheap political mileage, is unfortunate and should be condemned by all peace loving Zimbabweans.

It is factual that Christpower died in a house fire, when the room in which he was sleeping collapsed when attempts were being made to rescue him. May his soul rest in peace. It is factual that the cause of the fire has not been established up to now, since investigations are still being carried out by the police. It is also factual that the parents to the deceased are active members of MDC-T. BUT it is not factual to suggest that if one is an active MDC-T member in Headlands, and the house is gutted by fire then it should be Mutasa of ZANU PF or ZANU PF militias (that is if they exist in reality).

MDC-T, unfortunately was quick to run to conclusion. Foreign and the independent media rushed to the juiciest news, in order to spruce up their agenda. Whilst MDC-T was sensationalising the death, they were quick to compile yet another dossier of a trail of unverified violence in Zimbabwe. James Timba was dispatched to seek support on this issue from their legion of sympathisers in the region, so that their quest for the inclusion of their friends as observers can be heard.

Concocted videos of church leaders of Madzibaba campaigning for ZANU PF and castigating Tsvangirai during church gatherings have been doing the rounds in the independent media. Hence this charade by MDC-T and the independent press is not a new phenomenon to Zimbabwean opposition body politics.  

However, Tsvangirai and MDC-T should wake up and smell the coffee. Why would they use the death of an innocent boy in an inferno for political grandstanding? How many grass thatched huts are going down as a result of fire in the country? Tsvangirai and company's interest and speed to this particular issue raise eyebrows. The utterances and hype that this generated among the top brass of MDC-T, the United States ambassador, has much more to it than meet the eye. The seemingly choreographed or rehearsed narrations by the father and mother of Christpower, has little to show for the love they had for their child but more on the love and passion they have for their party MDC-T and desire to stand as an MDC-T candidate in the constituency. Surely can we sacrifice the sanctity of the death of an innocent boy at the altar for political expedience?

It is this cheap politics by the foreign and independent media as well as the MDC-T, that creates a sense of instability in the country at a time a visit to all provinces in Zimbabwe reflects political tolerance among the electorate. Quick to judge, rushing to conclusions and making vitriolic statements serves to build tension in the country. Senior party leaders such as Tendai Biti, Douglas Mwonzora, and Morgan Tsvangirai, if they are genuine in their pursuit to lead Zimbabwe should understand this better. Given the polarisation in the Zimbabwean media, they thought that by riding on the crest of the death of the boy, would change their game plan. But the truth is Zimbabweans are now clever than before. They can no longer be hoodwinked because they know what they want as a people.

The four or so years that MDC has been in government has left  indelible stains of incompetence, indecisiveness, inconsistencies, corruption, flip-flopping and lack of clear cut policies, which cannot be removed by grandstanding at the funeral of a young innocent boy. Zimbabweans want to vote for a party whose policies and programmes are clear and sustainable. They want to vote for a leadership which inspires confidence and can clearly and consistently communicate their vision for the country to the people. Yes, such politicians and party, empathises with the generality of the electorate and can draw a line on national and international issues.

MDC-T as a party lacks this. The MDC-T leadership lacks this too. More often they pander to the whims of their handlers, yet Zimbabweans want to be masters of their destiny.

ZANU PF under the current leadership of Cde. Robert Mugabe has proven that it is a party with a leadership that is clear and consistent in communicating the party vision, programmes and policies to the people. The call by the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe for free and peaceful elections resonates well with the desire of all peace loving people of Zimbabwe, and the prospects of peaceful co-existence of people after the elections. It is for this reason that ZANU PF will romp to a resounding victory in the forthcoming harmonised elections.

For politicians the time is now to realise that people want clear and sustainable developmental programmes, which will bring butter and bread on the table. Political grandstanding and heckling is just divisive. Even where there are differences, there are civil methods of addressing issues than peddling hate language which might fan violence. Time is now to sit down and craft manifestos which  can be sold to the people through the independent. Foreign and independent media, help Zimbabwe by communicating the truth to the world. By doing so you will help the people of Zimbabwe whose peace and freedom you have been sacrificing for the expedience of your masters' agenda.

Let us all call for the promotion of a peaceful election environment. Christpower would have loved to see people vote in a peaceful environment.  If he were to vote one day, that is if, he would have for a leader and party with sustainable economic and political programmes. Once again may politicians allow the soul of Christpower to rest.