Opinion / Columnist
Zanu-PF seems to be shooting itself in both feet this time
07 Mar 2012 at 12:59hrs | Views
By losing its composure and resorting to 'abusive remarks' directed at the SADC mediator, South African president Jacob Zuma, Zanu-pf could be committing political suicide.
Serial political turncoat and Zanu-pf politburo member Jonathan Moyo recently attacked South Africa's Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, telling her to "shut up" saying Zimbabwe has never been a province of South Africa.
Nkoana-Mashabane's 'crime' was to tell the South African Parliament that elections in Zimbabwe should be held only after a new constitution and democratic reforms are put in place.
Moyo reportedly told NewZimbabwe.com by telephone from Harare: "The South African government is not a GPA facilitator, this woman as an official of the South African government has no business whatsoever commenting on this thing…"
Sadly, Moyo was contradicting his party's Vice President Joice Mujuru who, in January, expressed Zanu-pf confidence in South Africa's role as a mediator in Zimbabwe "as it has assisted in bringing an agreement between the country's three political parties since its appointment by SADC."
Mujuru was speaking on arrival at the Harare International Airport from South Africa where she had attended the African National Congress (ANC) centenary celebrations (see The Herald, VP Mujuru backs SA facilitation, distances herself from Mnangagwa faction, 11/01/12).
Unless Zanu-pf changes suddenly eats a humble pie before President Zuma's forthcoming Harare visit, the former ruling party could find itself more isolated internationally.
As we have stated before in these columns, it is not Zuma who needs Mugabe more but the later who desperately needs the former, the most especially now.
Obviously, Zanu-pf needs the ANC more than the ANC needs Zanu-pf, unless relations have soured following the expulsion of Julius Malema who idolises Mugabe.
By alienating SADC and Zuma, the former ruling party would be shooting itself in both feet, thereby making the United Nations the only credible alternative to mediate on the last stages of a peaceful transition from Mugabe's dictatorship to democracy.
But, the prospect of losing free and fair, UN and EU supervised elections in Zimbabwe, especially after reinstating the Diaspora Vote, is driving Zanu-pf to the wall.
As Jonathan Moyo becomes increasingly desperate to revive Zanu-pf from its rather irreversible 'Lazarus moment,' more insults and tantrums cannot be ruled out.
Serial political turncoat and Zanu-pf politburo member Jonathan Moyo recently attacked South Africa's Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, telling her to "shut up" saying Zimbabwe has never been a province of South Africa.
Nkoana-Mashabane's 'crime' was to tell the South African Parliament that elections in Zimbabwe should be held only after a new constitution and democratic reforms are put in place.
Moyo reportedly told NewZimbabwe.com by telephone from Harare: "The South African government is not a GPA facilitator, this woman as an official of the South African government has no business whatsoever commenting on this thing…"
Sadly, Moyo was contradicting his party's Vice President Joice Mujuru who, in January, expressed Zanu-pf confidence in South Africa's role as a mediator in Zimbabwe "as it has assisted in bringing an agreement between the country's three political parties since its appointment by SADC."
Mujuru was speaking on arrival at the Harare International Airport from South Africa where she had attended the African National Congress (ANC) centenary celebrations (see The Herald, VP Mujuru backs SA facilitation, distances herself from Mnangagwa faction, 11/01/12).
As we have stated before in these columns, it is not Zuma who needs Mugabe more but the later who desperately needs the former, the most especially now.
Obviously, Zanu-pf needs the ANC more than the ANC needs Zanu-pf, unless relations have soured following the expulsion of Julius Malema who idolises Mugabe.
By alienating SADC and Zuma, the former ruling party would be shooting itself in both feet, thereby making the United Nations the only credible alternative to mediate on the last stages of a peaceful transition from Mugabe's dictatorship to democracy.
But, the prospect of losing free and fair, UN and EU supervised elections in Zimbabwe, especially after reinstating the Diaspora Vote, is driving Zanu-pf to the wall.
As Jonathan Moyo becomes increasingly desperate to revive Zanu-pf from its rather irreversible 'Lazarus moment,' more insults and tantrums cannot be ruled out.
Source - Clifford Chitupa Mashiri
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