Opinion / Columnist
In defence of the Constitutional order
30 Nov 2017 at 06:11hrs | Views
I would like to state from the outset, that I am wholly opposed to the coup, the military takeover that we have witnessed in Zimbabwe on Wednesday morning, November 15, 2017 when the rotten and malodorous elements of the Zimbabwean military took over control of the national broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and went on a rampage shooting indiscriminately at houses of their perceived enemies, destroying property and killing innocent people in the process.
The 'apology' given by Kudzanai Chipanga of the ZANU PF youth league was clearly given under duress and after he had been physically victimised by the military. Such actions shouldn't be tolerated by anyone whose hunger and thirst is to see a democratic and peaceful Zimbabwe. I know this mayn't be the kind of message you are expecting from me, but like Daniel Webster, the Great Expounder of the Constitution, "Necessity compels me to speak true, rather than pleasing things…. I should indeed like to please you, but I prefer to save you, whatever be your attitude toward me."
In case you think I might have been 'bought' by members of the so-called G40 cabal, I remain opposed to President Robert Mugabe's government, but I believe in justice, even for my political enemies. Mugabe and his wife, Ignatius Chombo, Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and any other ZANU PF member opposed to Emmerson Mnangagwa should have their rights respected. If these people have cases to answer then our judicial authorities should deal with them and not Constantino Chiwenga and the privileged clique he is fronting. In saying this, I need to remind Zimbabwean citizens and those interested in seeing a prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe that: "Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologise for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you're right and you know it, speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth" (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi).
I am opposed to Zimbabwe's emerging dictatorship. We can't allow such things to continue, they need to be stopped! This is healthy for our constitutional order which needs to be defended against such political malpractices. Otherwise it's going to be very difficult for us to enjoy what we have left of our freedoms. We should never look up to the military to guarantee us our freedoms. The opposition remains the only hope we have and we should be supporting the MDC Alliance so that it wins resoundingly in next year's elections.
As things stand, I am worried, really worried about the direction we are going as a country. The prevailing political discontent and constitutional crisis caused by the reckless behaviour of the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Chiwenga needs to be arrested before serious harm is inflicted on our peaceful country and its people. It saddens me to come to terms with the fact that the majority of our people haven't seen anything wrong with the unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal means used by Chiwenga and his army to privilege expelled former Vice President Mnangagwa. Like I said before, it is wrong that state institutions are abused to benefit one man. What is it about Mnangagwa that he is treated differently from the rest of us? Could it be that it is Chiwenga and the military who stand to benefit from this hypocritical and opportunistic intervention in civilian affairs?
Although it cannot be denied that the military drama unfolding in Zimbabwe initially left many citizens in an ebullient mood when it first started, it must be stated, however, that it is taking unnecessarily long thereby creating alarm, uncertainty, confusion and despondency in our country. There is no responsible adult who would abuse state institutions to fight factional wars that have no benefit to the suffering and oppressed people of Zimbabwe. It is quite sickening to learn that Mnangagwa himself isn't ashamed of endangering people's lives just because he wants to be in power. If he really had grievances, why couldn't he challenge his expulsion from ZANU PF through the rules and regulations of that party? Why would he seek to undermine the constitutional order to achieve his political ambitions? It is my humble submission, fellow citizens, that such aggressive and provocative behaviour is a danger to our democracy and the future of our country. I call upon the people of Zimbabwe and the world at large to resist such illegal moves by malcontents and scoundrels working hard to undermine our democratic freedoms and state institutions.
If the intention was to get rid of the so-called criminals around the dictator, why couldn't this be done within the provisions of the various pieces of legislation we have in our country? The truth needs to be told. The actions by the military were never about getting rid of any criminals, they are meant to exterminate, by any means, including illegal means, their real or perceived factional enemies. There are inherent dangers associated with allowing the military to meddle in civilian matters. As for me, I remain true to myself. I am not easily excitable and am definitely not impressed by such an unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal encroachment. The country can't be held hostage by criminal elements fighting factional wars. This isn't the Zimbabwe that I want. We can do better than this.
This military intervention has been deceptive from the start and we don't expect transparency and accountability from the rotten elements who staged the ongoing coup. Nothing will stop these malcontents from abusing state institutions in the future. I, therefore, believe that entertaining this hypocritical and opportunistic intervention and military takeover of civilian affairs isn't good for the democracy we are fighting for. Chiwenga is only after his parochial interests, we are last on his priorities. As for the MDC and other opposition parties, they would do well if they stayed away from ZANU PF factional fights. In defence of the constitutional order, opposition parties should be seized with the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) and be sure to win next year's elections. May God bless Zimbabwe! The struggle continues unabated!
The 'apology' given by Kudzanai Chipanga of the ZANU PF youth league was clearly given under duress and after he had been physically victimised by the military. Such actions shouldn't be tolerated by anyone whose hunger and thirst is to see a democratic and peaceful Zimbabwe. I know this mayn't be the kind of message you are expecting from me, but like Daniel Webster, the Great Expounder of the Constitution, "Necessity compels me to speak true, rather than pleasing things…. I should indeed like to please you, but I prefer to save you, whatever be your attitude toward me."
In case you think I might have been 'bought' by members of the so-called G40 cabal, I remain opposed to President Robert Mugabe's government, but I believe in justice, even for my political enemies. Mugabe and his wife, Ignatius Chombo, Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and any other ZANU PF member opposed to Emmerson Mnangagwa should have their rights respected. If these people have cases to answer then our judicial authorities should deal with them and not Constantino Chiwenga and the privileged clique he is fronting. In saying this, I need to remind Zimbabwean citizens and those interested in seeing a prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe that: "Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologise for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you're right and you know it, speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth" (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi).
I am opposed to Zimbabwe's emerging dictatorship. We can't allow such things to continue, they need to be stopped! This is healthy for our constitutional order which needs to be defended against such political malpractices. Otherwise it's going to be very difficult for us to enjoy what we have left of our freedoms. We should never look up to the military to guarantee us our freedoms. The opposition remains the only hope we have and we should be supporting the MDC Alliance so that it wins resoundingly in next year's elections.
As things stand, I am worried, really worried about the direction we are going as a country. The prevailing political discontent and constitutional crisis caused by the reckless behaviour of the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Chiwenga needs to be arrested before serious harm is inflicted on our peaceful country and its people. It saddens me to come to terms with the fact that the majority of our people haven't seen anything wrong with the unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal means used by Chiwenga and his army to privilege expelled former Vice President Mnangagwa. Like I said before, it is wrong that state institutions are abused to benefit one man. What is it about Mnangagwa that he is treated differently from the rest of us? Could it be that it is Chiwenga and the military who stand to benefit from this hypocritical and opportunistic intervention in civilian affairs?
Although it cannot be denied that the military drama unfolding in Zimbabwe initially left many citizens in an ebullient mood when it first started, it must be stated, however, that it is taking unnecessarily long thereby creating alarm, uncertainty, confusion and despondency in our country. There is no responsible adult who would abuse state institutions to fight factional wars that have no benefit to the suffering and oppressed people of Zimbabwe. It is quite sickening to learn that Mnangagwa himself isn't ashamed of endangering people's lives just because he wants to be in power. If he really had grievances, why couldn't he challenge his expulsion from ZANU PF through the rules and regulations of that party? Why would he seek to undermine the constitutional order to achieve his political ambitions? It is my humble submission, fellow citizens, that such aggressive and provocative behaviour is a danger to our democracy and the future of our country. I call upon the people of Zimbabwe and the world at large to resist such illegal moves by malcontents and scoundrels working hard to undermine our democratic freedoms and state institutions.
If the intention was to get rid of the so-called criminals around the dictator, why couldn't this be done within the provisions of the various pieces of legislation we have in our country? The truth needs to be told. The actions by the military were never about getting rid of any criminals, they are meant to exterminate, by any means, including illegal means, their real or perceived factional enemies. There are inherent dangers associated with allowing the military to meddle in civilian matters. As for me, I remain true to myself. I am not easily excitable and am definitely not impressed by such an unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal encroachment. The country can't be held hostage by criminal elements fighting factional wars. This isn't the Zimbabwe that I want. We can do better than this.
This military intervention has been deceptive from the start and we don't expect transparency and accountability from the rotten elements who staged the ongoing coup. Nothing will stop these malcontents from abusing state institutions in the future. I, therefore, believe that entertaining this hypocritical and opportunistic intervention and military takeover of civilian affairs isn't good for the democracy we are fighting for. Chiwenga is only after his parochial interests, we are last on his priorities. As for the MDC and other opposition parties, they would do well if they stayed away from ZANU PF factional fights. In defence of the constitutional order, opposition parties should be seized with the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) and be sure to win next year's elections. May God bless Zimbabwe! The struggle continues unabated!
Source - Mutsa Murenje
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