Why Devolution of power will unite Zimbabweans
A proper analysis of the political environment and the context in which politics is being played, is necessary as it will inform the necessary mechanisms to deal with a political problem. In Zimbabwe such factors are intractable linked to historical and present factors. The Zimbabwean political landscape is characterised by divisions based on tribal lines, these divisions are not new, however, they have been made worse due to poor and dangerous leadership since 1980.
For too long the government of Zimbabwe has preached peace and unity, but practiced brazen tribalism and marginalisation. No one was allowed or felt able to question the government's tribalism and systematic sidelining of other regions based on ethnicity; thanks to Dumiso Dabengwa and his revived ZAPU, people are starting to assert their legal and natural rights. ZAPU through its flagship policy of devolution of power has enabled people to formally and intellectually engage in questioning the effectiveness of the current system of governance and to think of alternatives.
We have seen and heard of certain groups advocating for total separation and others clamouring for federation and yet others like ZAPU demanding devolution of power. All these systems are in a political continuum, yet very different, previously, I argued that ZANU pf will not seek to interrogate the distinctions between these systems of governance but seek to bungle them together under secession, today I have been vindicated due to Mugabe's assertion and my analysis proved to be spot on.
Substance and content differentials in these systems are very clear however, in a political environment charged with animosity and mistrust based on ethnicity, these differences maybe artificial, it is telling on its own that those clamouring for these systems of government are from one region. This on its own heightens the suspicions and creates further tensions.
What is true and can not be changed is that the Centre does not hold any more, the changes are on the offing; it is either we as a people accept them and live or reject them and perish. In this paper I will focus on Devolution of Power, explain why it is essential that Zimbabweans embrace it and how it could ameliorate potential conflicts and tensions. In my argument, I will proffer clear and succinct explanations as to why I think devolution of power is the only way forward and a system which will enable a win-win situation to the marginalised and the oppressors alike. If Zimbabwe is to remain a unitary state; devolution of power is the only system which will keep the country as one. I will dispel a lie that a Unitary state is synonymous or equates to unity and conversely, devolution for division. I will show that devolution of power actually correlates with fairness; democracy and therefore with unity.
Devolution of power is a specific type of decentralisation, the United Nations defines decentralisation as "The transfer of authority on a geographical basis whether by deconcentration of administrative authority to field units of the same department; or the political devolution of authority to local government units" In practical terms deconcentration aids and increases centralisation, its purpose is to help the central government manage its affairs. The good example of deconcentration is the current Zimbabwean governance systems, which has local councils and provincial administrations. This system is not evil on its own, however, in a country like Zimbabwe, where access to resources is defined by one's ethnicity it becomes the worst of the systems. In Zimbabwe we have seen the complete disregard of other ethnic groups in favour of one group; this has led to what many have called Shonalisation. Shonalisation can simply be defined as a system of governance which depends on prejudice and tribalism, which shuns diversity and promotes the destruction of other ethnic groups' cultures, and denies them their economic independence; human rights and political rights.
　
It is for these reasons that the people of Zimbabwe have loudly and resoundingly made it clear that they are tired of discriminatory practices which this system brings about. Mr Chombo has stated that devolution of power will cause divisions and conflict; however, his assertions are devoid of any facts or evidence, I argue that, Zimbabwe is divided as it is now, mostly on ethnic lines. I argue that this division is a fertile ground for disaster. If there would be conflicts in Zimbabwe they would be caused by the disunity which currently exists in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was very unlucky not to have a man of Joshua Nkomo's calibre as its leader. a man who genuinely hated tribalism. It is this lie which needs unpacking in Zimbabwean body politic, that if you sing unity; peace and anti-tribalism, but on the other hand in the corridors of power, practice tribalism, promote division, that ordinary people will believe what is being preached in public. People live lives, real lives for that matter, which are affected by what happens behind closed doors. Unity is now an empty word, because it has been used to hoodwink and sideline other people.
Brian Smith defines devolution of power as transfer of governmental or political authority …and Balogua posits that devolution implies the transfer of power, responsibilities and resources from central government to democratically elected local authorities. Odour argues that devolution when stripped of all technicalities, it means investing local governments with the power and financial wherewithal to respond to problems of a purely local nature without waiting for instructions from the centre.
From the preceding definition it is safe to conclude that devolution of power does not cause nor create and conflicts; it does not create divisions, instead it promotes unity based on equality, respect and diversity. In the Zimbabwean context, devolution of power, will help eliminate the following, the control of local resources by people from other regions; delay and reluctance in responding to developmental needs of local people by the central government; the exportation of workers such as teachers, police, immigration officers, health workers from other regions to the local labour market; and it will enable and facilitate the creation of relevant local forums such as broadcasting houses with the interest of local issues at heart. This could only be fair, and there is no evidence anywhere in the world that fairness has ever caused conflicts. Only purveyors of half-truths will seek to scare the people from doing what is right.
Devolution of power is a beautiful governance system, however, one wonders whether it could manage to reverse the evils of the central government, which was/is used to divide and rule; to marginalise and displace purely on ethnic basis.
Devolution of power in Zimbabwe will most likely be realised through political agitation; which will be followed by a political process similar to the one currently taking place right now. It is highly unlikely that that the current political process will yield a constitution which will include devolution of power, it is likely to be a biased political document which when the right political process comes should be thrown in the dustbin of history. I can foresee a very protracted struggle between the proponents of devolution of power and those opposed to it, in the end devolution will win. If ZAPU was involved in the current political process maybe devolution was going to be taken seriously as ZAPU is the only officially devolutionist party.
Devolution of power will eliminate suspicion; will free the oppressors and usher in a new political landscape which will enable the country to develop equally, however, I am painfully aware that some people run away from development; some people shy away from civilisation, and some shun progress and fairness; but it does not mean that mean that they can not be developed and civilised, it does not mean that they are not aware that they can benefit from what is right and fair, they just need a little push to accept change.
If devolution of power is not enshrined in the new constitution, it is incumbent upon the marginalised regions to demand more than devolution of power.
