Opinion / Columnist
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga turning Zimbabwe into a terrorist state!
14 Aug 2018 at 04:34hrs | Views
As the Zimbabwe political situation becomes more and more precarious by the day, one can not help but be gripped by a fear that our leaders are busy scrupulously turning this nation into a terrorist state, that is bent on making our lives a living hell.
As much as last November's military coup leaders - who ousted long-time dictator Robert Gabriel Mugabe - namely, Emmerson Mnangagwa and the then defence forces commander General Constatino Chiwenga, who became president and vice president respectively, initially preached peace and unity, the facts on the ground point to a completely opposite scenario, in which the people are being brutalised left, right, and centre.
'State terrorism' is defined as acts of terrorism conducted by a state against foreign targets or against its own people.
As such, since the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga dispensation has resumed terrorism against 'its own people', it would be more than correct to label this as 'state terrorism'.
Ever since the heavily disputed 30 July 2018 harmonized elections, especially when it comes to the presidential results, this regime has been back to its Mugabe-era tactics of brutalising any dissenting voices.
After deploying the military to use live fire against an unarmed and defenceless people, thereby killing at least six people, this terrorist regime proceeded to brutalise innocent people in various residential areas, frivolously condemning them for merely exercising their democratic and constitutional right to freely vote for whomsoever they desired.
Zimbabweans can attest to the fact that they are just as frightened of the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga terrorist state as they were of Mugabe's heinous reign - characterised by widespread massacring of innocent people viewed as opponents.
This Mnangagwa-Chiwenga junta were at the forefront of these Mugabe-era massacres, and when they eventually completely took over after the coup, they are now unleashing their brutality without any limitations.
Although, there are reported differences and, times, clashes, between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, as the former prefers more covert repressive measures, whilst providing a facade of a peace-loving leader - the latter would not care less, and is more than prepared to overtly launch a full scale assault against the people.
Probably, due to his long political career, Mnangagwa would rather conduct his terrorist activities against his people under wraps, but Chiwenga's military background has indoctrinated him to believe that the only way to settle matters is through brute force, no matter who says what.
Such differences, are what would most likely lead to another coup in Zimbabwe, as Chiwenga now views Mnangagwa's attempt to have the best of both worlds - by covertly brutalising the people, whilst at the same time mascarading as a democratic, whose country is open for business - a barrier to complete domination of Zimbabweans.
I perceive that these Mnangagwa-Chiwenga atrocities would be worse than Mugabe's reign, as plans are reportedly already underway, especially with Chiwenga's recent private visit to Russia in order to secure the necessary terror machinery.
Let us not forget that Chiwenga made a similar visit to China last year just before the military coup.
Now is the time for the international community to finally wake up and open their eyes to what is truly happening behind the scenes.
I am sure they have a very sophisticated intelligence machinery, and would be capable of easily collecting information on what is happening underground, what Chiwenga's trip to Russia was all about, and the possible scenarios on the plight of Zimbabweans.
Countries such as Britain and the United States know to what extent Russia would go to interfere in other nations' elections and domestic affairs - as who can forget the Skripals' nerve agent poisoning in Salisbury, and the 2016 US presidential elections.
If the international community truly cares about the people of Zimbabwe, as well as their own business interests in the country, they would be busy trying to ensure that democracy was not subverted by this junta, and place mechanisms for action against this terrorist state.
Countries such as the United States have very stringent policies against state terrorism, and should be seen leading in preventing the further disintegration of Zimbabwe.
According to sources, the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga junta has already tried several times - by raiding the MDC Alliance head offices after the suspicious violent protests on 1 August, which have ZANU PF fingerprints all over them, as well as threatening and brutalising MDC Alliance election agents - to destroy any evidence of electoral fraud in the just ended elections.
Unless, the international community sees these signs, which are there for all to see, then both Zimbabweans and the world would suffer, as even their business interests will be affected.
These state terrorist leaders need to be brought to book, and be held accountable for their heinous crimes.
That is what prisons are there for!
Prisons should not just be the preserve of some guy who steals a packet of polony from a supermarket, but should also accommodate nations' leaders who brutalise and massacre their own people.
Zimbabweans are human beings too, who deserve the dignity of genuine peace, tranquility, and development - and no one should be allowed to take that away from them.
The international community, of late, has made so much noise against US president Donald Trump, accusing him of being a heartless racist and begot for his allegedly prejudicial policies - however, if they just watch as the people of Zimbabwe are brutalised by this terrorist state, then they are no better than Trump.
In fact, Trump would be better, as he does not hide his true views and feelings, yet we have an international community that pretends to care for other races and religions, yet can allow them to be massacred by their leaders with impunity.
This is the time for the international community to stop this madness in Zimbabwe by taking appropriate but effective action.
No one can afford to just sit back and helplessly watch as the pain and suffering for Zimbabweans continues unabated leader after leader, as we hide our heads in the sand and pretend that there is a 'new dispensation', and that all is well.
All is NOT well!
Kudakwashe Sheddy Marangwanda is a UK based Zimbabwean activist.
As much as last November's military coup leaders - who ousted long-time dictator Robert Gabriel Mugabe - namely, Emmerson Mnangagwa and the then defence forces commander General Constatino Chiwenga, who became president and vice president respectively, initially preached peace and unity, the facts on the ground point to a completely opposite scenario, in which the people are being brutalised left, right, and centre.
'State terrorism' is defined as acts of terrorism conducted by a state against foreign targets or against its own people.
As such, since the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga dispensation has resumed terrorism against 'its own people', it would be more than correct to label this as 'state terrorism'.
Ever since the heavily disputed 30 July 2018 harmonized elections, especially when it comes to the presidential results, this regime has been back to its Mugabe-era tactics of brutalising any dissenting voices.
After deploying the military to use live fire against an unarmed and defenceless people, thereby killing at least six people, this terrorist regime proceeded to brutalise innocent people in various residential areas, frivolously condemning them for merely exercising their democratic and constitutional right to freely vote for whomsoever they desired.
Zimbabweans can attest to the fact that they are just as frightened of the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga terrorist state as they were of Mugabe's heinous reign - characterised by widespread massacring of innocent people viewed as opponents.
This Mnangagwa-Chiwenga junta were at the forefront of these Mugabe-era massacres, and when they eventually completely took over after the coup, they are now unleashing their brutality without any limitations.
Although, there are reported differences and, times, clashes, between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, as the former prefers more covert repressive measures, whilst providing a facade of a peace-loving leader - the latter would not care less, and is more than prepared to overtly launch a full scale assault against the people.
Probably, due to his long political career, Mnangagwa would rather conduct his terrorist activities against his people under wraps, but Chiwenga's military background has indoctrinated him to believe that the only way to settle matters is through brute force, no matter who says what.
Such differences, are what would most likely lead to another coup in Zimbabwe, as Chiwenga now views Mnangagwa's attempt to have the best of both worlds - by covertly brutalising the people, whilst at the same time mascarading as a democratic, whose country is open for business - a barrier to complete domination of Zimbabweans.
I perceive that these Mnangagwa-Chiwenga atrocities would be worse than Mugabe's reign, as plans are reportedly already underway, especially with Chiwenga's recent private visit to Russia in order to secure the necessary terror machinery.
Let us not forget that Chiwenga made a similar visit to China last year just before the military coup.
Now is the time for the international community to finally wake up and open their eyes to what is truly happening behind the scenes.
I am sure they have a very sophisticated intelligence machinery, and would be capable of easily collecting information on what is happening underground, what Chiwenga's trip to Russia was all about, and the possible scenarios on the plight of Zimbabweans.
If the international community truly cares about the people of Zimbabwe, as well as their own business interests in the country, they would be busy trying to ensure that democracy was not subverted by this junta, and place mechanisms for action against this terrorist state.
Countries such as the United States have very stringent policies against state terrorism, and should be seen leading in preventing the further disintegration of Zimbabwe.
According to sources, the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga junta has already tried several times - by raiding the MDC Alliance head offices after the suspicious violent protests on 1 August, which have ZANU PF fingerprints all over them, as well as threatening and brutalising MDC Alliance election agents - to destroy any evidence of electoral fraud in the just ended elections.
Unless, the international community sees these signs, which are there for all to see, then both Zimbabweans and the world would suffer, as even their business interests will be affected.
These state terrorist leaders need to be brought to book, and be held accountable for their heinous crimes.
That is what prisons are there for!
Prisons should not just be the preserve of some guy who steals a packet of polony from a supermarket, but should also accommodate nations' leaders who brutalise and massacre their own people.
Zimbabweans are human beings too, who deserve the dignity of genuine peace, tranquility, and development - and no one should be allowed to take that away from them.
The international community, of late, has made so much noise against US president Donald Trump, accusing him of being a heartless racist and begot for his allegedly prejudicial policies - however, if they just watch as the people of Zimbabwe are brutalised by this terrorist state, then they are no better than Trump.
In fact, Trump would be better, as he does not hide his true views and feelings, yet we have an international community that pretends to care for other races and religions, yet can allow them to be massacred by their leaders with impunity.
This is the time for the international community to stop this madness in Zimbabwe by taking appropriate but effective action.
No one can afford to just sit back and helplessly watch as the pain and suffering for Zimbabweans continues unabated leader after leader, as we hide our heads in the sand and pretend that there is a 'new dispensation', and that all is well.
All is NOT well!
Kudakwashe Sheddy Marangwanda is a UK based Zimbabwean activist.
Source - Kudakwashe Sheddy Marangwanda
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