ZAPU SG says ZAPU has to think safety in a big way

Mnangagwa's intemperate outburst about ZAPU's plot on his life could be one of the most serious threats to the security of individuals and peace in Zimbabwe today. For ZAPU to simply dismiss these most  virulent albeit absurd and spurious claims about an event that allegedly took place more than half a century ago as mere ranting of a deranged mind would be to completely ignore the painful lessons we should have learned about this individual.

Here is why the people of Zimbabwe, but particularly ZAPU members should beware of what this apathetic individual's mind is cooking up. To delude oneself into thinking that the threat is empty would be the worst kind of folly and dereliction in that most primordial of instincts, self-preservation.

Even if there was a grain of truth in Mnangagwa's claim one is left to wonder as to why a leader with such a history of dividing the people of Zimbabwe would bring up such a manufactured story, complete with its tribal overtones, at this very time. What brings a chill to one's spine is that the very mind that has cooked up this lie is about to assume total control of all instruments of power in Zimbabwe. His is the hand that is about to take charge of deadly armoury that he could utilize to complete the unfinished business, Gukurahundi. This is a man who has never expressed any regret for the central role he played in the darkest chapter of our country, the massacre of the tens of thousands of innocents and the resultant suffering still being felt by citizens in many regions of Zimbabwe.  Across his cv is spluttered the words: GENOCIDE!

The claim itself is absurd, almost as absurd as clinging to a belief that Zanu could one day work towards uniting all the people of Zimbabwe.  Dr Dabengwa, who is alleged to have been the judge in the plot, has dismissed the allegation with the contempt it deserves. However, for anyone alleged to have been involved in the ridiculous plot to assume that closure has been brought to this matter would be minimise the danger posed by those with warped minds and murderous agenda! They say that if a person repeats a lie often enough, that lie transforms itself in that person's mind, into reality.

Any person with even a grain of a brain would even question the veracity of Mnangagwa's claim. In his eagerness to deceive Mnangagwa mischievously portrays ZAPU as if it was some formless ogre seeking to devour him. We are meant to sympathise with this hapless innocent who existed outside ZAPU, yet in fact at the time he was a member of the very party that he now seeks to denigrate. And the reason that he gives for ZAPU wanting to kill him; I cannot imagine anyone not cringing at what is claimed! Couldn't Mnangagwa invent something more credible?

Hands up those who believe this nonsensical claim by Mnangagwa!
There has never been any verifiable record of ZAPU as party carrying out summary executions of the sort being claimed by Mnangagwa, more so for the mere reason of insulting the Party President. To be honest, I only became aware of the crime of insulting the President when I read of the many prosecutions of Zimbabweans hurled before the courts charged for offences as bizarre as mentioning that President Mugabe is old!

The stage therefore is set for Mnangangwa to assume the reins of power with the agenda to right the wrongs that his befuddled mind created. Zimbabwe could be headed towards another season of internecine strife that will make even the horrors of Gukurahundi seem like a game of tiddlywinks.  Unless Mnangagwa owns up to the heinous crimes of Gukurahundi I see no assurance about history not repeating itself. The man prides himself on his image as a remorseless killer. One has to look at the path he has followed to his ascending to his current position to see how blood spluttered the trail has been. And the fresh blood recently has been of those who considered him one of their own.

With this sobering thought our Party has to think safety in a big way. What stops this man concocting even more bizarre claims in order to justify evil that bears his name? The record is there, staring at all of us.

ZAPU is not a belligerent Party. Ours is a record of abiding by the law and playing by the rules. For this we have paid a really heavy price. However, there comes a time when even the most meek and docile realises that kwabo kwagwala kuhlala kufiwe!

At this moment Mnangagwa has put our Party on notice. It is up to him to clear the air, to indicate that his naked threat was not meant to be. If by mere happenstance some unfortunate event were to befall any of our Comrades, might that not be the spark that could simply conflagrate the tinderbox that has been stoked by the words of this man, Mnangagwa?

I do hope that even this most derelict government has the sense to step back from the abyss that they are driving the country towards. ZAPU will continue to hold out for peace and togetherness of our people in Zimbabwe. This is a position of strength and responsibility.

But we are all holding out against a tide. Unless someone with vision knocks sense into the current powers and we continue on the current trajectory we are headed towards calamity.

There are those for whom the words of the bard long made sense: I had as lief not be as live to be in awe of such a thing of myself.