Opinion / Columnist
Command Agriculture, Weapon of terror for 2018 elections
18 Jan 2017 at 13:10hrs | Views
It is one year before the elections in 2018 and all reforms are still outstanding. The constitution that came into force in 2013 provides for these reforms but the ruling party largely disregards this constitution and most of the time, act against it or hold it in contempt when pursuing vital interests.
Zanu-PF has always held an edge over other political parties in elections through manipulating the election process and through the use of terror and force to pressure the electorate to vote for its candidates. So it has been not only been difficult, but in fact impossible for the electorate to select desired leaders for office. With ZEC boss, Rita Makarau running for the Chief Justice post, and her final appointment depending on the discretion of the incumbent government, many don't see how she can remain impartial and then perhaps forfeit her chance of becoming the top judge. A bill has already been tabled in parliament to change the appointment procedure of the Chief Judge. ZEC board itself is still staffed with ex-military personnel, who are only there to monitor and disturb the board's bid to hold fair and transparent elections. The defence chiefs have also vowed that they will not cooperate with a president without liberation war credentials.
The authoritative national broadcasts have also continued to sympathetically and exclusively cover Zanu-PF events, as if it is the only political party in Zimbabwe. ZTV, Herald and Sunday Mail have openly proved to be under control and command of Zanu-PF because promote the interests of the ruling party, whilst other parties are only ridiculed and scoffed at. The ruling party congresses and meetings receive wide coverage whereas those of opposition parties are largely ignored. It is very strategic for autocratic governments to control such entities as these are the most effective means to disseminate propaganda and intimidate the masses and to eventually consolidate power. George Charamba and Chris Mushohwe managed to quell last year's protests by airing coarse threats on national ZTV. So this is why Zanu-PF led government clutches to these media entities tenaciously, and against the provision of the constitution. Efforts to sever government and state media in Zimbabwe are being met with contempt, hesitancy and general reluctance.
On top of this, terror foundations for the 2018 are already being laid down in the country through Command Agriculture. Zanu-PF has always used military force, alongside disenfranchising some sectors of the electorate by selective registering of people to vote. The Zanu-PF led incumbent government has made sure that by election time, it has boots on the ground in various wards around the country to intimidate and terrorise voters with the aim to coerce them to vote for Zanu-PF candidates. The government has done so in the past through programmes like Maguta in 2008 and 2013. During the day soldiers work with farmers in the field, but at night the villagers are abused and terrorised to the core. The next morning everything will be back to the normal and the victims will still be afraid to report to the police who also would be part of the Maguta. With elections in 2018, Command Agriculture will again be a good excuse to have soldiers on the ground to eventually influence the voting patterns of the people in the country through use of unparalleled terror. So in essence, nothing has changed in the way Zanu-PF has been ‘gaining' victory in elections. Terror will be used again in 2018 elections through soldiers working under Command Agriculture. There is no need for soldiers to handle Command Agriculture when we have lots of extension workers and other idle civil servants. Soldiers don't have knowledge of agriculture but have the facility that they can take any orders from their superiors, orders to mercilessly beat up voters so as to vote for imposed candidates. Also Command Agriculture inputs are already being distributed on party lines with opposition party members being denied.
The ruling party Zanu-PF completely lacks morals and has killed and maimed before, just to retain power. It will arm-twist again in 2018 to remain in power using avenues like Command Agriculture under the auspices of VP Munangagwa who is feared much and is renowned for brutality and seems bent on doing anything to succeed RG Mugabe.
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Zanda Shumba
zekishumba@gmail.com,
St Johns, Bag 113, Nyazura,
Zimbabwe
+263776630178
Zanu-PF has always held an edge over other political parties in elections through manipulating the election process and through the use of terror and force to pressure the electorate to vote for its candidates. So it has been not only been difficult, but in fact impossible for the electorate to select desired leaders for office. With ZEC boss, Rita Makarau running for the Chief Justice post, and her final appointment depending on the discretion of the incumbent government, many don't see how she can remain impartial and then perhaps forfeit her chance of becoming the top judge. A bill has already been tabled in parliament to change the appointment procedure of the Chief Judge. ZEC board itself is still staffed with ex-military personnel, who are only there to monitor and disturb the board's bid to hold fair and transparent elections. The defence chiefs have also vowed that they will not cooperate with a president without liberation war credentials.
The authoritative national broadcasts have also continued to sympathetically and exclusively cover Zanu-PF events, as if it is the only political party in Zimbabwe. ZTV, Herald and Sunday Mail have openly proved to be under control and command of Zanu-PF because promote the interests of the ruling party, whilst other parties are only ridiculed and scoffed at. The ruling party congresses and meetings receive wide coverage whereas those of opposition parties are largely ignored. It is very strategic for autocratic governments to control such entities as these are the most effective means to disseminate propaganda and intimidate the masses and to eventually consolidate power. George Charamba and Chris Mushohwe managed to quell last year's protests by airing coarse threats on national ZTV. So this is why Zanu-PF led government clutches to these media entities tenaciously, and against the provision of the constitution. Efforts to sever government and state media in Zimbabwe are being met with contempt, hesitancy and general reluctance.
On top of this, terror foundations for the 2018 are already being laid down in the country through Command Agriculture. Zanu-PF has always used military force, alongside disenfranchising some sectors of the electorate by selective registering of people to vote. The Zanu-PF led incumbent government has made sure that by election time, it has boots on the ground in various wards around the country to intimidate and terrorise voters with the aim to coerce them to vote for Zanu-PF candidates. The government has done so in the past through programmes like Maguta in 2008 and 2013. During the day soldiers work with farmers in the field, but at night the villagers are abused and terrorised to the core. The next morning everything will be back to the normal and the victims will still be afraid to report to the police who also would be part of the Maguta. With elections in 2018, Command Agriculture will again be a good excuse to have soldiers on the ground to eventually influence the voting patterns of the people in the country through use of unparalleled terror. So in essence, nothing has changed in the way Zanu-PF has been ‘gaining' victory in elections. Terror will be used again in 2018 elections through soldiers working under Command Agriculture. There is no need for soldiers to handle Command Agriculture when we have lots of extension workers and other idle civil servants. Soldiers don't have knowledge of agriculture but have the facility that they can take any orders from their superiors, orders to mercilessly beat up voters so as to vote for imposed candidates. Also Command Agriculture inputs are already being distributed on party lines with opposition party members being denied.
The ruling party Zanu-PF completely lacks morals and has killed and maimed before, just to retain power. It will arm-twist again in 2018 to remain in power using avenues like Command Agriculture under the auspices of VP Munangagwa who is feared much and is renowned for brutality and seems bent on doing anything to succeed RG Mugabe.
-----------
Zanda Shumba
zekishumba@gmail.com,
St Johns, Bag 113, Nyazura,
Zimbabwe
+263776630178
Source - Zanda Shumba
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