Are emerging activists real opposition?

It seems the only way to make money is to stand as independent candidate or join activism in Zimbabwe. We had so many activists who were so vibrant in 2016 but as speak they have gone quiet and it seems their stomachs are now full they won't bother anyone anymore for them it was all about money. One wonders whether these independents mushrooming in Zimbabwe are real opposition or they are under cover projects meant to confuse electorates ahead of 2018 polls.

There are so many questions regarding these independent candidates mushrooming in Zimbabwe. My analysis is these independents are there to confuse electorate and at the same time they have been pumped with a lot of cash so that their projects will be very successful. Is politics a way of earning a living or it is for serving the masses? What these objects mushrooming on the political landscape must understand is that they are people who died for the struggle and it is an insult to the nation to just stand and say I want to stand as an independent candidate in 2018. Zimbabwe's political landscape does not change, it takes decades for people to believe in you. For now it is either Mugabe or Tsvangirai.

If you go to the rural areas you will find that people at grassroots level its either they are for Zanu Pf or for Mdc. There are so many activists who purported to be real activists yet they were fighting for big monies in town. One then wonders where were these activists and independents where when people were brutalised in 2008 and before? Their message is not yet clear. Who is their prime target in the forth coming elections? There is a lot of political jittery after Fadzayi Mahere and Nkosana Moyo announced their intentions to stand as independent candidates ahead of 2018 elections.

One then wonders at whose interests these two are serving at? Questions would then be raised why not form a broader alliance with the current opposition parties with structures already on the ground? One who then question the logic behind these independent candidates. I had great respect for Nkosana Moyo but if one is educated but has no common sense then I would then believe this drama is well sponsored to confuse opposition ahead of elections. If these two fellows are really genuine with their alliance why not form an alliance with the likes of Tsvangirai and Biti who are already on the ground? Genuine questions are also, are people in politics for money or for personal gain.

Zimbabweans had great respect for the likes of Moyo but looking at the way things are shaping this leaves many with more questions than answers. Without any structures on the ground one simply announces his intention to stand as an independent candidate. At whose interest are you serving? Who is your pay master? I also wondered why Herald Newspaper rushed to grant Mahere and Nkosana a wide range of interviews considering the attitude that it has towards opposition outfits, one then would wonder why Mahere and Moyo all of sudden of all the people in Zimbabwe? The truth of the matter is there are two strong political outfits on the ground ZANU PF and MDC T. it is either Mugabe or Tsvangirai in 2018. What is their ultimate goal? What is their objective to stand as independent candidates when they are already established political institutions on the ground? Why then don't they join ZANU or MDC?

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of MINDS which is responsible for policy Research and Analysis. He is also an academic and researcher. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com