Opinion / Columnist
Acid test for coalition to unseat Mugabe
08 Feb 2017 at 16:00hrs | Views
There has been so much hullabaloo about Zimbabwean opposition forming a coalition to uproot Zanu-PF from power and the arrest of Pastor Evan Mawarire presents an acid test on what the parties prioritize.
What is important right now is to remember that there are so many Zimbabweans in the diaspora who want to return home ahead of the 2018 election, we have to show them that we can stand by them when they arrive in Zimbabwe.
There are many who can make the change in Zimbabwe who fled both economic and political pressures and are watching closely how political parties handle the matter.
Pastor Mawarire has kept his cards close the chest about which party he supports.
He represents an ordinary citizen questioning the government's lack of concern for his share in the national cake.
Since he is non-aligned, all political parties must stampede to show solidarity with a well-meaning citizen.
This will also prove that as opposition parties they are not egocentric.
There is this mistaken belief of entitlement in opposition groupings which portrays some parties as the real "stakeholders" of resistance.
There are some who claim to be the bonafide opposition.
This is not the time for that.
Parties with the same ideologies easily form coalitions.
One of the reasons of having opposition political parties is to protect the vulnerable citizens like Pastor Mawarire.
The first step towards a coalition has been taken through NERA and has produced good results.
Standing with Mawarire must be second.
If anyone in opposition is delighted by Pastor Mawarire's arrest which can cause him to miss the next election then they must have their head examined.
In politics every vote counts.
Pastor Evan is a sure vote against Zanu PF which must be protected against all odds.
If MDC-T, Zim People First and many other opposition political parties are about the people they must rally behind Pastor Evan Mawarire.
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This article was written by Itayi Mamutse a student of political science in Ukraine.
Source - talkpointzim
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