Opposition in Zimbabwe is too weak to demand accountability

Events unfolding in the past clearly shows that some people in the opposition movement can no longer raise their voice because its either they were part of the loot or they have been bribed. This leaves the whole nation confused whether we still have a vibrant opposition or not. For example during the unity Government most of these ministers were seen driving posh cars at the expense of the nation and majority of them cannot even account for their ill-gotten wealthy. How then do you go back to the grassroots to justify your loot? We need opposition leaders to come clean over their wealthy. In the finance ministry there were several allegations over misappropriations of funds over Zinara and other state entities and there is vicious cycle of corruption amongst some senior officials of the opposition. The silence of the opposition over the issue of POTRAZ, NETONE SAGA, ZIMDEF funds leaves a lot to be desired. Majority of these officials are driving posh cars, buying houses in leafy suburbs, sending their children to most expensive institutions whilst majority languish in poverty. There are so many areas that our opposition needs to work on and prove to the nation that they are still opposition people. Majority of them when they joined politics from the range of 1998-2009 they had nothing but they are now operating lucrative businesses outside the country and some of them they own mines. How then do you explain to the nation which has a high percentage of poverty levels? In fact the poverty levels of this country has reached unprecedented levels. We have key parastatals which needs accountability but there is silence which remains a thorny issue.

Opposition Must Be Relevant in Parliament

Recently I had an opportunity to watch a live debate in parliament pertaining to corruption and other developmental matters, I was utterly disgusted to see one of the most prominent MDC T official sharing a joke over issue of posh cars that ministers are driving and he never took the segment seriously. What we are seeing is people going to parliament for allowances and political relevance and nothing more. We need a vibrant opposition in parliament which speak on behalf of people. There is no time to take alcohol in parliament when the nation is languishing in poverty. Where does parliament get money to acquire alcohol for MPS and to make matters worse they begin to debate childish debates. There should be a difference between opposition MPs and those from the ruling party.

We Want Visibility on the Ground

The electorate is closely watching events unfolding in the country. We have seen corruption in Bulawayo city council, Harare city council, mis management of funds in MDC T led councils and there is silence over those grafts and don't cry foul when the electorate punish you for that. The opposition leaders should quickly move in swiftly to deal with corruption issues on the ground. Judging by events unfolding in the country opposition is likely to suffer a major setback and a back splash over the way they handled themselves during the inclusive Government. There was a lot of queries over the way funds were handled in the Government during the inclusive Government particularly in the finance ministry and the way some of the top MDC T officials acquired properties within and outside the country.

We Need Competent Leadership

Governing a country is not something one can play with, we need serious leaders as far developmental aspect is concerned. We need leaders who walk the talk. Leaders who lead by example, who are blameless and who can be able to deliver their promises to the people. Zanu Pf promised 2 million jobs and we are in 2016 nothing has materialised so far except looting national resources. Our state institutions are in shambles because of nepotism and mismanagement of funds meant for development. We need vibrant leadership that can deliver its promises to the people and live up to the expectations of people. Most of these MPs have never been seen to their constituencies since the day of election, and they are in Parliament for themselves and personal interests. Opposition leaders must capitalise on the weaknesses of their counter parts and show difference on the way they hold governance matters and they must be disciplined morally and financially.

We Need Intellectual and Mature Debates from Promising Leaders

We are tired of press conferences from the Biti, Tsvangirai, Mujuru led parties, and these leaders must stop these press conference and go to the ground and inform people on how they are going to hold Zanu Pf accountable for state resources. There is need for people to be well informed interms of live debates and group discussions. As we speak Edgar Lungu the Zambian president has set up a live chat facility where he talks directly to people to hear their concerns. We have not seen Tsvangirai and Mujuru doing the same, all we know is that they hold press briefs. We need intellectual policy debates which shows relevance in zim politics. They need to set up policy think tanks and inform the nation on how they are going to govern this country. These silly debates about flag jackets in parliament should stop, bringing funny clothing stuff in parliament will not add any meaningful value to our ailing economy. You can never win the hearts of people when you are far away from them, Zanu Pf is busy giving farming inputs to people whilst you are busy holding press conferences, whom do you think people will listen to? You need to live up to reality.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal opinion as the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability. MINDS is a civic society organization responsible for policy research, gender and development studies, public finance, sustainable development through Agriculture and rural development. He is also a consultant in Development and Capacity Development and Institutional Building. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com