Will SADC deliver on Zimbabwe?

JOHANNESBURG - It is inconceivable that a man would negotiate his demise and support changes that will surely undo his political life.

According to ZANU (PF), President Jacob Zuma has now fallen under the influence of imperialist forces and can no longer claim to represent the interests of Africa. This, because he has risked finally to call Mugabe to order.

Finally it is rather refreshing that an African leader has heard what most of us have been saying for a while now. ZANU (PF) is an illegitimate government that does not represent the interests of the majority of Zimbabweans and a free and fair election will be their demise. We know it, they know it and they will try and circumvent anyone who promotes due process and the inevitability of the complete discharge of ZANU (PF) from Zimbabwean politics.

We have seen patterns in how Mugabe reacts to facts that do not support his continued dictatorship. He blames the imperialists, sanctions and everyone else except his obvious ineptitude in continuing as president and how through his leadership Zimbabwe has been underdeveloped by his cabal that continues to intimidate and abuse the resources of the country. "We will not brook interference from any source. We will resist interference from any source, even from our neighbours."√¢‚Ǩ¬¶..  and even from Zimbabweans themselves, I would add. Such are the rantings of a lion wounded and aware that the end is nigh.

SADC has for the last 11 years entertained an unscrupulous regime and we all hope the time has now come to get finality to the matter. These are the facts:

Over the last ten years ZANU (PF) has spread its cancerous value system into all sectors of our communities. Its minions have lived like kings through deceit and corruption as the economic situation has created poverty amongst the majority of honest Zimbabwean families. Disease, poverty and depression have been the bane of most Zimbabwean families due to the economic hardships created by this government. Many have died premature deaths and families broken apart as they seek to survive elsewhere. This political party is not anxious at all at the suffering it has caused and believes that it must continue ruining Zimbabwean lives. It is an evil empire whose power must be severed as a matter of urgency.

Countless Zimbabweans have been spreading this message all over the world and yet all that has happened is verbal sympathy from listeners, condemnation from those that feel Zimbabweans should go and fight at home and apathy from SADC leadership.

It is inconceivable that a man would negotiate his demise and support changes that will surely undo his political power base. It is inconceivable that Mugabe will happily comply to any measures that ensure free and fair elections or that allow all Zimbabweans, including those in the diaspora, to deliver their verdict freely. He knows it's the end game and as with any man with one foot in the grave, he will resist with all he has the natural consequences of death even if it is inevitable and for his good.

The deepening of democracy can only happen when men of principle and virtue emerge as our leaders when they are able to condemn what is wrong with all they have. SADC has taken the responsibility to engender democracy in Zimbabwe and although this has taken far too long, one does hope that those men who form part of it have seen through the dictator and will in the shortest possible time ensure that never again will Zimbabwe be shackled by the greed and cruelty of a political cabal whose end has surely come.

We wait with bated breath.

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*Vince Musewe is an independent Zimbabwean economist based in South Africa. You can contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com