Selfish political leaders mark Zimbabwean political landscape

A few days ago, Mrs Joyce Mujuru surprised many totally by saying that her party, ZPF will contest the 2018 elections with or with no reforms. It was very disturbing when she revealed this in direct opposition to many other sentiments aired by other political parties opposing the continued misrule by a very corrupt Zanu pf government. Currently opposition parties and large part of the civil society are putting huge pressure on ZEC to level the heavily skewed electoral field, with various opposition parties boycotting parliamentary and will boycott the 2018 harmonized election. In previous elections Zanu pf has been dictating to ZEC with ZEC complying thereby compromising its integrity and impartiality. So many in opposition have do not see the logic of contesting in a predetermined elections whose only purpose would be to give legitimacy to the election and result which the process would otherwise lack if all opposition would boycott. There was outrage on social media and elsewhere for such irresponsible plan of action, tantamounting to treacherousness, for her party contesting in such a flawed election would give Zanu pf and RG Mugabe some little legitimacy.

Drama would follow soon to her seemingly an attempt to betray the Zimbabwean struggle for freedom and the right to choose leadership, the roots of accountability which guarantees good governance:- for her party would crumble after she unilaterally dismissed all the pillars of her party, who in turn fired her soon after. Among those fired are Dydmus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo, Margaret Dongo, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Munacho Mutezo, Cladius Makova and Luckson Kandemiri. It is difficult for any political party to remain strong following enmass ejection of critical members. ZPF itself was formed by members expelled from Zanu pf having been sacked for pretty much the same reasons ZPF itself too is dismissing the these members, the deliberate avoidance of democratic processes. It is the same again in MDC T, Renewal party and MDC that leaders choose to circumvent the democratic process and prefers to impose leaders in party ranks, resulting in disgruntlements and eventual party splits. This leader impositions habit is characteristic to Zanu pf and it seems that opposition party leaders carried that trait with them when they left Zanu pf. They are still addicts to the same custom that made them desert Zanu pf in the first place. MDC split to MDC T, MDC with Biti forming a Renewal Party that soon disintergrated, and we wait again to see if there Zimbabwe People Second would come as RG Mugabe once chided. RG Mugabe really knows how power hungry Zimbabweans are, he knows how perfectly they mirror his appetite for dominance. If the opposition parties do not reform to follow normal, clear processes and procedures, they risk getting weaker and ultimately irrelevant. Its exceedingly difficult or even impossible for Zanu pf members to follows any democratic processes given how the members have hardened, over the years, through corruption and insensitivity towards the suffering masses. For example during the last year march to boost support and to intimidate RG Mugabe,s foes, Zanu pf youth leader Chipanga, said the party would like to see the nonagenarian rule till his death. Recently Chipanga said the party would rather nominate a family member with the same surname as Mugabe, as the name is popular and respected worldwide. Given that level of disregard of democratic processes, we don't see how Zanu pf can reform to follow right procedures and rule of law.

Power to dominate has been the source of weakness for our opposition parties, they abhor fair play. They can only get strong if they strictly follow the democratic process of choosing leaders, making their strong their establishments. But it seems each leader struggles for his sole glory, power and influence, and in the process the ordinary people are forgotten. The struggle then is for individuals and not about nation building. Many argue that grand coalition project is a non-starter because each political party would want its leader at the helm. The next opposition political party that will prove strong is one that will allow the democratic process to be the governor. The party will rely on transparence rather than on individuals. Zanu pf is weak because it relies on RG Mugabe. The party failing to find a successor because it does not employ the correct processes to anoint leaders. Right now it's divided into two factions. One faction prefers Grace Mugabe to take over whilst the other prefers Munangagwa. It is my strong feeling that in Zanu pf there are far too many people who are better that both, but the bullying, prequalification, discrimination and intimidations in the system doesn't keeps them out of the limelight, or at most, makes them desert the party or shun politics altogether. Those who want Munangagwa think they will benefit individually under him, and those who support Grace know they will be rewarded under her. So those corrupt ones in Zanu pf initiate confusion and chaos in the processes so that when eventually the dust settles:- we will have a leader, but neither the desired nor the able one, but one who rewards the few who buoyed hi/her into power. Corruption will continue as a way of rewarding allies and Zimbabwe will continue to decline. It's sad Zanu pf has concentrated on infights rather than on fixing the economy that is in a dire state.

So largely, the political landscape of Zimbabwe is dominated by a spirit of selfishness, nepotism and exclusiveness. Zimbabweans mostly avoid building strong establishments, they would rather rely on powerful individuals who may suddenly change attitudes and qualities midstream. We have heard statements like 'only Tsvangirai can unseat Mugabe'. In People first they think only Mujuru can lead their party. In Zanu pf they think only RG Mugabe can win the elections, or only Munangwgwa is the best candidate to succeed RG. Whilst any of these may be true, these postulations usually undermine the need for correct procedures and processes. Right procedures and processes in each political party will guarantee the best candidate, and a transparent and fair national election will afford us the finest pick of parliament and executive to represent us, and therefore the biggest opportunity for success for Zimbabwe. Leaders rightfully, freely and transparently chosen by the people will carry out the wishes of the people, and will be sensitive to the people's plight. Those imposed will perform to only please those who imposed them to the positions they hold.