Zimbabwe - time to rid ourselves of ruffians

What is happening to Edmund Kudzayi who now curiously carries the dual identity of Baba Jukwa as well as Mai Jukwa is a microcosm of the rot that has manifested itself in our beautiful country over a very long period of time under the leadership of ruffians. Whenever Zanu-PF is under pressure, they are very quick to create a diversionary story. Often, this is in the form of persecution of innocent citizens. In extreme circumstances, they can even go as far as eliminating one of their own. Accepting that Rex Nhongo's death was caused by a candle is taking imagination too far. His painful death smells like a product of ruffians!

With the economy fast crumbling and causing nightmares in every Zanu-PF bed, creation of different news became necessary. Recently, the state media was awash with news of mega salaries. Unsuspecting citizens were forced to focus on that hoping that somewhere along the way, perpetrators would be brought to book. Realising that most if not all of the culprits were somehow linked to Zanu-PF or at least one of the factions, the cases were dropped progressively or simply fizzled out. Happison Muchechetere, Cuthbert Dube and many others who were presented as the epitome of this rot, will never know what it means to spend a night in Zimbabwe's filthy and inhumane police and prison cells. And yet, Edmund Kudzayi, for merely doing his job as new editor of The Sunday Mail, is now spending some cold nights in a place not even fit for pigs or dogs. Ruffians at it again!

Kudzayi never demonstrated that he was a flight risk nor a violent person. If anything, he put up a very brave face even affording a smile while going through the most difficult moment of his life. Why anybody would deem it fit to take this sacrificial lamb to the alter of political expediency in leg irons, just beats the mind. If this is not a demonstration of prodigious barbarism, what is? Indeed, our nation is run by ruffians!

It would have made perfect sense if those who are busy looting our natural resources as well as those illegally dishing out farms to 10-year-olds were the ones put in this situation. It is this kind of economic sabotage that is more treasonous than the charges that "Baba/Mai Jukwa" is facing. If indeed Baba Jukwa is a national security risk and young Edmund Kudzayi is that person, then the ruffians who sought his services in whatever capacity without carrying out adequate background checks, must be sent to the gallows!

When Simon Khaya Moyo pleads with Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to return home and help rebuild the country, is this what he wants those Zimbabweans to go through upon their return?

Having said that, the ultimate solution to Zimbabwe's woes shall come from progressive minds in the Diaspora in partnership with progressive minds back home. Those who are corrupt, tired, clueless or compromised in one way or the other, on both sides of politics, are certainly not part of the future.  Zimbabwe needs citizens who know and understand that a person can live a very decent life without being corrupt, murderous and violent. All it takes is hard work, honesty and integrity. These basic tenets have deserted most of our friends. They are now just a bunch of ruffians!

Engine overhaul is no longer the solution for Zimbabwe. Rather, we need a brand new engine. The convergence of progressives within and without Zimbabwe will be that engine. If people cannot put the unique blessings of Marange diamonds to good use and revive our critical services and infrastructure such as education, health and roads, why should we trust them with anything else?  Ruffians abused this lifetime opportunity to line their own pockets, neglecting ordinary people in the process.

If a town clerk of the capital city forges his birth record so that he can loot for a few more years, what's there to expect?

Unfortunately, the rot has transcended even micro levels of our society. It is not unusual for a close relative to call someone in the Diaspora asking for urgent assistance, exaggerating the circumstances in the process. People are no longer ashamed of cheating their own friends, children, brothers and sisters. Time for the Diaspora to continue sustaining ruffians at whatever level is slowly running out. Rather, the 3 million hardworking Zimbabweans scattered around the globe must now think seriously of how they can turn things around for the good of posterity. We can't afford to bury our heads in the sand while ruffians continue destroying whatever little is left. In 2018 if not earlier, let us show them the exit door!

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Moses Chamboko is the Interim Secretary General for ZUNDE. He writes in his personal capacity. You may visit ZUNDE at www.zunde.org or email info@zunde.org