Opposition go back to the drawing board or else 2018 you are buried for good

As a research and academic analyst my role is advisory be it the current Government, opposition and civic society, I simply lay facts on the table as they are without fear or favor. In the past, opposition's mantra was "MUGABE MUST GO" now that Mugabe is gone what's next? I for see opposition losing political relevance soon.

Look the major obstacle for everyone was Mugabe, and this was the banner the opposition was carrying for the past 18 years or so but now there is a new leader in the currently after the Mugabe mantra so what is your next plan? Opposition never be adamant with facts, this is why MDC T lost in 2013, they don't want facts to be said as they are.

Our role is simply to tell you that we have entered a new season and wake up and simply go back to the drawing board and begin to draft a new plan. At the same time I also want to warn those who are rushing to give credit to ED that do it at your own risk as well, because there is too much excitement on the social media and other platforms, we are yet to see the fruits. Remember Mugabe read so many good speeches well drafted but nothing was implemented. Remember the same Zanu PF is still there nothing has changed; the machinery is still the same, same guys, same strategies so we need at least 100 days to give a good evaluation.

There are so many people excited by announcements and newspapers, you need to wait and see till we have reached there otherwise you will be disappointed. I've issues that I'm going to raise for the opposition then at the same time issues that I will raise with the current President. Our role as civic society is to give adequate advice to both entities so that we can come up with better plans for our country.

I was very disappointed when I heard Obert Gutu a senior member of the MDC and party spokesperson complaining that ED stole their party manifesto. Come on Gutu a Lawyer by profession you were not supposed to behave like that. You see this issue of cry baby won't work, people need serious business, this kind of ignorance and approach won't take you anywhere as a party. You have to go back to the drawing board and discuss and map the way forward.

ED is simply implementing what people want. People want food on the table, they want jobs, they want the issue of cabinet to be addressed and ED is simply responding to the public's outcry.

Politics is gambl*ng, but if you fail to read between the lines you will be history in 2018. MDC in the past capitalized on Mugabe's mistakes and this is what ED is doing, he is simply correcting what Mugabe messed.

So who stole what?

We don't want comedy in politics, people want food on the table, go back and start thinking on areas that the Government is not doing well and begin to work on that. So my question is all along MDC as a party what did you use the blueprint for?

I suggest MDC should just join the inclusive arrangement and contribute towards national building. I suggest Tsvangirai, Mujuru and other opposition outfits to work on their information departments or how information show disseminate or flow to their recipients.

Tsvangirai should reshuffle his team especially the information department is dead and nothing exciting is coming from that department so what really is going to inspire the public or the general people?

I've a strong feeling that there could be elements within the opposition working with state agents to destroy the opposition outfits. The opposition is very weak at the moment and this should be addressed. I will then ask why Tsvangirai did and Chamisa attend ED'S inauguration alone yet we have 9 standing committee members in the party?

Why did the rest boycott? There have also been conflicting statements regarding the issue of joining the inclusive or transitional arrangements. Some saying lets join, some saying let's not join. Who is really behind this drama? I have also questions on Mujuru, from the time Mugabe resigned we have never heard any statement from her, and word circulating is that she could be on her way back to the ruling party.

Madam what about your supporters?
What about the coalition?
What about those people you started the project with?

I've a strong feeling that the opposition should join the Government and people will judge their performance after the inclusive arrangement. Fighting for reforms outside the Government is a battle, and honestly I don't see them winning. Remember the issue is not about winning but the issue is about getting power. It is important to use the transitional arrangement to fight for reforms. We have electoral reforms on the table, judicial reforms, economic reforms and other fundamental challenges such as corruption.

I've noted earlier on that there are several debates within the opposition ranks to join the transitional arrangement or not, but I would say please join the transitional arrangement and fight for reforms whilst you are in Government. With the pace ED is moving with, honestly I can see opposition being buried in 2018. ED is already marketing himself with those ideas he is using, opposition is silent and they are busy watching as spectators.

There are so many issues to raise such as the issue of 15 billion, human rights issues, those Mdc activists who are still languishing in jail, we have issues of the budget, we have issues of command agriculture, we have corruption of the previous administration, selective application of the law on Chombo and Chipanga whilst Obert Mpofu and Chinamasa are walking scot free in town, and to some extent Chinamasa has already been awarded an acting key post. So why are you not raising these issues?

Why are you not making noise? The cabinet is not announced, what are you doing about it? Opposition should open platforms for public engagement and begin to engage the public. So far opposition's behavior is not inspiring and if this continue, burial is likely to take place in 2018. Opposition is supposed to provide checks and balance than to wait and being overshadowed by ED and his team. Remember Zanu PF is covering the ground and they know what they want come 2018 you will get a rude awakening. I suggest Tsvangirai should fire or sack his advisors and bring in a new team and reshuffle his inner circle team.

I suggest Gutu can be re-deployed to Legal team, then Chamisa can be re-deployed to information and publicity he has done well before in that area and he knows the language that the general public wants, if you remember very well he can matches with our youths of today, then Mudzuri should go back to organizing, Mudzuri is a good man and he can deliver best and quality results. Mudzuri is a technocrat who understands the nature of our politics. I suggest Khupe can run the administration part, whilst Biti can do the funding and strategy issue. Policies can be tackled by Welshman Ncube.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of Southern Institute of Policy Analysis and Research – SIPAR TRUST, which is responsible for policy Analysis and Research. He is also an academic and researcher. He holds a BA, M.A from Solusi University, and he also holds a Masters of Development Studies from University of Lusaka, Zambia. He is currently enrolled at University of Kwazulu Natal University in South Africa (PHD in Development Studies). He can be contacted at southerninstitutepar@gmail.com