Opinion / Columnist
Is Mugabe a legacy of Zimbabwe leadership or a shame and an embarrassment for holding on to office even at over 90yrs old?
27 Apr 2017 at 16:41hrs | Views
Zanu guilty of an elderly person abuse: Is Mr. Mugabe a Legacy of Zimbabwe Leadership or a Shame and an Embarrassment for Holding on to Office even at over ninety years old?
"These things also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment." NKJV Proverbs 24:23
There is ingenuous posturing among those who claim to support Mr. Mugabe as a leader for Zimbabwe after the bench mark age of over ninety years. The so called G40 among its culprits is Mr. Mugabe's wife, Grace Mugabe; contribute to the strive of Mr. Mugabe staying on in power until this late in his time of life. While difficult to tell if he enjoys power currently or not, it can only be humane to assume that Mr. Mugabe is tired and would long to have taken vacation long ago. Beyond that judgement has to be reserved because it is not human.
The question need be asked again and again: Can one honestly say Mr. Mugabe enjoys holding on to power in Zimbabwe with a straight face without shame and embarrassment? Is it fair for using an elderly man in an almost compromising position when all past and present ills in governance are reminded to him as having been cause, under his watch, with a threat that masses in vengeance may leach him if they had their chance?
The assumption could somehow be true given the anger people of Africa demonstrate when tyrants are taken off power in any way, shape and form. In the case of Zimbabwe there are numerous public atrocities done in the name of President Robert Mugabe and sometimes with his explicit consent by questioning, for example, who had authorized the building of house shanks in Hartfield on the capital city road to the airport of Zimbabwe, Harare. He then like a dreamer charges instructing some minister in response: Pull those squatter houses down they have no decency to the public eye of dignitaries coming to out country.
Really? Is it about decency or about who misled the povo (masses) to spend their ill begotten incomes on building homes 'illegally' if this be a true case. Which is easier to set up a committee and find out a pattern behind authorizing the so-called intransigence behaviour of people in keeping building squatter houses' or 'just destroying the squatter homes without any compensation at all?'
One wonders if Mr. Mugabe has all his memory intact or if somehow Zanu mischief makers take decisions into their own hands in local governments authorities by-law decisions without letting him know in order to appease voters. However, the issues may be viewed, the politics of Zimbabwe has put people's lives at risk without recourse to any legal hearing on their plight for close to thirty years alleging masses failure to cooperate with government agencies. There is some honesty in supposing that government is totally in agreement with what happens on ordinary citizens when subjected to abuse by some members of the ruling party or some such close allies of the Zanu Political party hierarchies.
The danger of failing policies is that anyone can claim authority and act on abusive decisions on community for as long as their action is supportive of the 'life president', Mr. Robert Mugabe. Apparently in the eyes of Zanu political party any suggestion appears like criticism. Observing of what is going wrong by none party members on Zanu party faithful members, even when acting in good faith, could easily cost citizens life and has. In Zimbabwe numerous persons have disappeared and were never to be traced. Some were found suddenly deposited by the road sides in a country that is not at war at all. All these atrocities testify to the lacking in the rule of law by the government of President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu political party.
Whatever can be speculated as the motivation behind the political 'enjoyment' Zanu derives from having an elderly man of 93 years lead the party and lead the government; baffles imagination, let alone putting to question the general empathy and integrity of the citizens of Zimbabwe. How useful can a man be at the age beyond ninety in this age and century? Arguably, some will project that age is a number. Realistically, though, Mr. Robert Mugabe is tied, won out and his face reads and is filled with the 'I am tired and ready to rest' signals.
To live and know that there is no rest until one dies is perhaps one of the most unpleasant misfortunes very few meet in life. To know that from this station in life I am going straight into the casket is not common even though we all know we shall some day die (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Coming close to mind in the context of our narrative is the text from Isaiah 48:22 categorically stating that: "There is no peace" says the Lord, "for the wicked".
It hurts and I am sure it hurts many others that much as Mr. Mugabe might have felt a hero initially, at the inception of independence, he must have somehow felt his fame was wearing off to step down along this trip of power ride. In 2000, after the defeat of the change of the constitution referendum, Mr. Mugabe must have felt the urge to leave Power ceremoniously. Undoubtedly it was a vote of no confidence on the government which Mr. Mugabe was leader. The army then through the veteran association must have lamented at the loss of their liberation struggle gains. Could this ever have been true? Not what so ever. The contrary would have made a strong case for the maintenance of the values of the liberation struggle which today have run out completely.
Naturally what makes men, supposedly popular, never to relinquish power can only be the fear of their legacy of unfairness publicly known by the generality of the masses. Because the dictators see retribution done to the ordinary unfairly and under their direction and watch, it is true that the cohorts begin taunting the gospel of what goes around comes around. Often it has encouraged the cohorts to urge leadership advising: "we are better sticking to power at any cost than risk mass vengeance.' Would those guilty of wrongful acts to people, knowing they are known in public and their names would be brought to trial, agree to the resignation of their leader even if he is tired? Mafia rules apply. Truth be told, there can never be rest for the wicked.
Even though much propaganda from those who claim to be close to Mr. Mugabe allege he enjoys his position, nature demands for retirement dictate otherwise. One would guess that common people would pray that he be the only and the last on the continent to stay until this age (above 90). Concerns are already being expressed though for characters such as Mr. Paul Kagame of Rwanda now sixty (60) years old and Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi now 53 years old. Given African Union none existing policy on leadership retirement and how they have enjoyed seeing the laboring to of a geriatric president of Zimbabwe as honorary Chairman of the Association chances are such that Africa has a dark future regarding potential at harvesting self proclaimed rulers for life.
Back home in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, news has it that Mr. Mugbe at the funeral of Mr. Sata, the late President of Zambia, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda (Former President of Zambia) is said to have whispered at Mr. Mugabe why he cannot just retire and take his rest. Report has it that Mr. Mugabe was simple and straight: 'I am held at ransom'. Mrs. Grace Mugabe is on record that Mr. Mugabe could run the state even from a wheel chair. This signals problems of being held to ransom of a man We can take it in any way but it smells selfishness for the young G40 seeking to keep their foot in power influence through service from such a geriatric.
Zimbabwe political spectrum is either in denial or pretending when silence run the order of the day on the retirement of Mr. Robert Mugabe as President. The west is equally keeping silent at the fact that they abhor gross abuse of an elderly who is long overdue for retirement. The African Union has no record for questioning injustice apart from the days when white run the colonies. Perhaps this underlines African cultural incompetency to articulate her problems logically influencing legislative protocol in our democratic processes.
Zimbabwe needs a to acknowledge and practice rule of law centered on due regards to the supremacy of our reformed constitution. Presidency has to be decided by popular vote and contested. With Nikiv active again prior to 2018 elections Zimbabweans need work tireless on stopping rigging. Use of state funds and corruption is and has been part of election rigging. Clearly this has been ill addressed. With Mr. Mugabe promising to sand for the 2018 election something mystical is looming in Zimbabwe politics. People active participation and lobbying for international support to stop corruption as to be more active in order to lay to rest entrepreneurship based on corruption as they system has allowed.
"These things also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment." NKJV Proverbs 24:23
There is ingenuous posturing among those who claim to support Mr. Mugabe as a leader for Zimbabwe after the bench mark age of over ninety years. The so called G40 among its culprits is Mr. Mugabe's wife, Grace Mugabe; contribute to the strive of Mr. Mugabe staying on in power until this late in his time of life. While difficult to tell if he enjoys power currently or not, it can only be humane to assume that Mr. Mugabe is tired and would long to have taken vacation long ago. Beyond that judgement has to be reserved because it is not human.
The question need be asked again and again: Can one honestly say Mr. Mugabe enjoys holding on to power in Zimbabwe with a straight face without shame and embarrassment? Is it fair for using an elderly man in an almost compromising position when all past and present ills in governance are reminded to him as having been cause, under his watch, with a threat that masses in vengeance may leach him if they had their chance?
The assumption could somehow be true given the anger people of Africa demonstrate when tyrants are taken off power in any way, shape and form. In the case of Zimbabwe there are numerous public atrocities done in the name of President Robert Mugabe and sometimes with his explicit consent by questioning, for example, who had authorized the building of house shanks in Hartfield on the capital city road to the airport of Zimbabwe, Harare. He then like a dreamer charges instructing some minister in response: Pull those squatter houses down they have no decency to the public eye of dignitaries coming to out country.
Really? Is it about decency or about who misled the povo (masses) to spend their ill begotten incomes on building homes 'illegally' if this be a true case. Which is easier to set up a committee and find out a pattern behind authorizing the so-called intransigence behaviour of people in keeping building squatter houses' or 'just destroying the squatter homes without any compensation at all?'
One wonders if Mr. Mugabe has all his memory intact or if somehow Zanu mischief makers take decisions into their own hands in local governments authorities by-law decisions without letting him know in order to appease voters. However, the issues may be viewed, the politics of Zimbabwe has put people's lives at risk without recourse to any legal hearing on their plight for close to thirty years alleging masses failure to cooperate with government agencies. There is some honesty in supposing that government is totally in agreement with what happens on ordinary citizens when subjected to abuse by some members of the ruling party or some such close allies of the Zanu Political party hierarchies.
The danger of failing policies is that anyone can claim authority and act on abusive decisions on community for as long as their action is supportive of the 'life president', Mr. Robert Mugabe. Apparently in the eyes of Zanu political party any suggestion appears like criticism. Observing of what is going wrong by none party members on Zanu party faithful members, even when acting in good faith, could easily cost citizens life and has. In Zimbabwe numerous persons have disappeared and were never to be traced. Some were found suddenly deposited by the road sides in a country that is not at war at all. All these atrocities testify to the lacking in the rule of law by the government of President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu political party.
Whatever can be speculated as the motivation behind the political 'enjoyment' Zanu derives from having an elderly man of 93 years lead the party and lead the government; baffles imagination, let alone putting to question the general empathy and integrity of the citizens of Zimbabwe. How useful can a man be at the age beyond ninety in this age and century? Arguably, some will project that age is a number. Realistically, though, Mr. Robert Mugabe is tied, won out and his face reads and is filled with the 'I am tired and ready to rest' signals.
To live and know that there is no rest until one dies is perhaps one of the most unpleasant misfortunes very few meet in life. To know that from this station in life I am going straight into the casket is not common even though we all know we shall some day die (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Coming close to mind in the context of our narrative is the text from Isaiah 48:22 categorically stating that: "There is no peace" says the Lord, "for the wicked".
It hurts and I am sure it hurts many others that much as Mr. Mugabe might have felt a hero initially, at the inception of independence, he must have somehow felt his fame was wearing off to step down along this trip of power ride. In 2000, after the defeat of the change of the constitution referendum, Mr. Mugabe must have felt the urge to leave Power ceremoniously. Undoubtedly it was a vote of no confidence on the government which Mr. Mugabe was leader. The army then through the veteran association must have lamented at the loss of their liberation struggle gains. Could this ever have been true? Not what so ever. The contrary would have made a strong case for the maintenance of the values of the liberation struggle which today have run out completely.
Naturally what makes men, supposedly popular, never to relinquish power can only be the fear of their legacy of unfairness publicly known by the generality of the masses. Because the dictators see retribution done to the ordinary unfairly and under their direction and watch, it is true that the cohorts begin taunting the gospel of what goes around comes around. Often it has encouraged the cohorts to urge leadership advising: "we are better sticking to power at any cost than risk mass vengeance.' Would those guilty of wrongful acts to people, knowing they are known in public and their names would be brought to trial, agree to the resignation of their leader even if he is tired? Mafia rules apply. Truth be told, there can never be rest for the wicked.
Even though much propaganda from those who claim to be close to Mr. Mugabe allege he enjoys his position, nature demands for retirement dictate otherwise. One would guess that common people would pray that he be the only and the last on the continent to stay until this age (above 90). Concerns are already being expressed though for characters such as Mr. Paul Kagame of Rwanda now sixty (60) years old and Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi now 53 years old. Given African Union none existing policy on leadership retirement and how they have enjoyed seeing the laboring to of a geriatric president of Zimbabwe as honorary Chairman of the Association chances are such that Africa has a dark future regarding potential at harvesting self proclaimed rulers for life.
Back home in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, news has it that Mr. Mugbe at the funeral of Mr. Sata, the late President of Zambia, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda (Former President of Zambia) is said to have whispered at Mr. Mugabe why he cannot just retire and take his rest. Report has it that Mr. Mugabe was simple and straight: 'I am held at ransom'. Mrs. Grace Mugabe is on record that Mr. Mugabe could run the state even from a wheel chair. This signals problems of being held to ransom of a man We can take it in any way but it smells selfishness for the young G40 seeking to keep their foot in power influence through service from such a geriatric.
Zimbabwe political spectrum is either in denial or pretending when silence run the order of the day on the retirement of Mr. Robert Mugabe as President. The west is equally keeping silent at the fact that they abhor gross abuse of an elderly who is long overdue for retirement. The African Union has no record for questioning injustice apart from the days when white run the colonies. Perhaps this underlines African cultural incompetency to articulate her problems logically influencing legislative protocol in our democratic processes.
Zimbabwe needs a to acknowledge and practice rule of law centered on due regards to the supremacy of our reformed constitution. Presidency has to be decided by popular vote and contested. With Nikiv active again prior to 2018 elections Zimbabweans need work tireless on stopping rigging. Use of state funds and corruption is and has been part of election rigging. Clearly this has been ill addressed. With Mr. Mugabe promising to sand for the 2018 election something mystical is looming in Zimbabwe politics. People active participation and lobbying for international support to stop corruption as to be more active in order to lay to rest entrepreneurship based on corruption as they system has allowed.
Source - Andrew Manyevere
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