Polad members cry foul

Members of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) are attempting to reassert their relevance on Zimbabwe's political stage after months of being sidelined, but political observers say the platform lacks the credibility and influence to effect meaningful change.

Polad, a platform initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, was designed to bring together presidential candidates from fringe political parties that contested the elections that year. It was intended as a forum to encourage dialogue and build consensus on national issues. However, since the contested 2023 elections, the grouping has been largely inactive, prompting frustration among its members.

"It has been quite a long time since we formally met, and we are very concerned with the silence and absence of Polad in the political arena," said Divine Hove, leader of the Nationalist Alliance Party, after a recent Polad meeting held in Harare.

Hove stressed the need to revive engagement with the Mnangagwa administration.

"There is so much that is happening in our country. We need to ignite the spirit of dialogue and engagement with the President… so that we can share ideas," he said, noting that Polad had once contributed to policy development through committees, including an economic advisory group.

Polad's chief protocol officer and 1980 Freedom Movement leader, Welcome Shumba, echoed Hove's sentiments. "I am happy that we have finally met after a very long time, and we are hoping to continue in the good spirit and focus on nation-building," he said.

One Polad principal who spoke anonymously claimed that the platform had helped foster political stability when it was launched. "Polad managed to create some stability in the country when it was started in 2018, this is why we have met today," the member said.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, responding to Polad's concerns, promised to relay their message to President Mnangagwa. "Tell them that as the Press secretary of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, I have heard their concern and I will relay their message," Charamba said.

Despite the renewed efforts, analysts were skeptical about Polad's future and effectiveness.

"Polad has outlived its usefulness; it is serving no purpose. It has lost value and relevance," said political analyst Eldred Masungure. "It might now be a burden, not to the government, but to Zanu PF, which was its main driver."

Rejoice Ngwenya, another political analyst, dismissed Polad as a tool created to weaken opposition.

"Polad lacks integrity. No one takes it seriously. Remember it was formed to neutralise the opposition led by Nelson Chamisa," Ngwenya said. "Now that we do not have a serious opposition, there is no way President Mnangagwa can keep that Polad."

Chamisa, who then led the MDC Alliance, refused to participate in Polad from the outset, demanding a neutral, foreign-mediated dialogue process focused on Mnangagwa's legitimacy - a demand Zanu PF dismissed, leading to a political stalemate.

In 2021, Polad faced a backlash after its members were handed Isuzu D-Max vehicles by Mnangagwa, a move critics said was a misuse of public funds and a violation of the Political Parties Finance Act.

With its credibility questioned and its role diminished, Polad now faces an uphill battle to convince the public - and possibly even the government that created it - of its relevance in Zimbabwe's evolving political landscape.