Opinion / Columnist
Mugabe vs Mnangagwa and us all!
16 Mar 2018 at 15:26hrs | Views
Many have said it, and it is much true that our politics is the politics of the stomach, they have said bring principles to a hungry man on one hand, and a bag of mealie-meal on the other hand, the man will choose the mealie-meal a thousand times the choice is repeated. The English say, once beaten twice shy, I guess we have to qualify that, and say it only applies not to a hungry man, because if hungry he will wag his tail marching towards the beating so long as there is a bowl of soup there. Since my generation opened its eyes, I doubt ethics and principle have ever mattered in Zimbabwean politics. We have seen people flip-flop and change positions a million times bending towards the source of grain.
In our politics, we have seen how far true it is that if you cannot beat them, join them, no matter at what cost. A person with the hindsight of our politics, has to understand the coercive arm of our government for as long as we have known the term government, to us, this is synonymous with ‘ngozi' in shona and ‘umgobho' in Ndebele, you have no choice because it either means your life or you toe the line.
A few months ago, not so long ago, our current President Mr E D Mnangagwa boasted about how he served the day in 2008 when ZANU PF had lost an election, he said he called Mr Mutasa who was on his way to Mutare, he credits himself with regrouping people to take the election victory from MDC to ZANU PF. We all seem not to remember or care about that. It does not beg for wondering why Zimbabwe sits where we are today, because the blood of hundreds of those who died during that period was betrayed by the GNU, accepting that ZANU PF could not lose. A precedent was set, and it is proving very expensive and maybe we have to understand that the negotiators to the GNU from the MDC did not also care a lot about the welfare of many when the opportunity to get into government presented itself. Many are thankful to the GNU for what it achieved but the other side of studies in the philosophy of History talks about taking a glance at what could have happened had the choice taken not been taken and the one/s left exercised.
I guess it's a theory no one bothers about.
What is the point of going to an election if there is someone who should not lose? Where are the principles of elections there? Anywhere today we have President E D Mnangagwa, accolades to the army, and yesterday we had President Mugabe, applause to the army! Ask yourself, this vicious cycle, where is Zimbabwe herding to? What difference does it make? Millions of dollars into the new constitution making process which led to the Constitution of 2013, what for? There are no principles in our country, whatever that is written in that Constitution is not worth the paper that it is even written on.
Zimbabwe makes laws that it uses to rule by and there is no rule of law. The Constitution has been trampled on and means nothing to those that rule Zimbabwe and the rest of the populace dance to the tune of those that control state power and the state is made up of those in power, the state in Zimbabwe is not a static concept that has institutions but the state describes the holders of power at that moment and they use it willy-nilly, they are above the law. The global world watches even as Zimbabwe burns, who cares? We had accepted that Mr Mugabe as President had proved incorrigible and we accepted his sun was about to set in terms of the first office. Zimbabwe had accepted how he had been the law of the country and hence no one could speak against him.
That was a big mistake because those that would follow would also desire that unfettered power and reign. As ZANU was falling apart there was hope that we would pick the pieces and rebuild but President Mnangagwa had something in mind. He wanted in and he had the support of the army, and that was the end of the story. He took it and the Constitution was similarly trampled on in the same fashion it had been by his erstwhile boss and hero. The High Court in the Country went on to tell Zimbabweans to take the Constitution and shove it where the sun does not shine, maybe it was because of the presence of the army and that the army had pulled a fit against one they thought could never come down, and therefore the army was seen dangerously powerful, who could dare challenge that? Besides from the early 80s with those pumas, the wrath of our army has always been known, when you look at the history of assassinations in the Liberation parties during the Liberation struggle, you get to understand how power struggles have always unfolded in our land.
Mr Mnangagwa who was fired legally, his firing was turned over, to what intents and purposes only they know why they went to those lengths to do that because that did not in any way affect the inauguration of their chosen candidate as the new look ZANU PF but I guess this was meant for the ordinary gullible Zimbabweans. The same way that Zimbabweans danced and ululated for President Mugabe, allegiances changed over night and the population started to dance for ‘Kutonga kwaro', ‘mudhara achauya', ‘Ngwena' and ‘ED'. Those who had appeared to hold principles and even fought on Tsvangirai's side clamouring for democracy and Constitutionalism, dropped the song, understandably so, because MDC had mainly been about Mr Mugabe and less policy issues and in any case the agenda of the opposition had been changed and it had become irrelevant, mr Mugabe , their agenda was gone!
When the few that still believed in the Constitution started to challenge the illegalities of how the administration of Mr ED was formed, constituted and elevated, the new ZANU converts who had ululated at his firing made so much noise about those being puppies of Mr Mugabe and wanting Mr Mugabe back despite the clear prayers in the court papers that they sought not the return of Mr Mugabe but that the Constitution be held supreme. The excitement was that the banks would be with money in weeks and the 100days saw nothing but still a worsening of the situation and yet the people's eyes still appeared clouded. Is this the curse of Zimbabwe? How do we as a people pride ourselves in one of the faultiest systems and practices the world has ever seen and yet claim to be such an educated country? If this is what education does, I am better of uneducated.
When Mr Mugabe speaks, the ones who championed the cause of human rights, then say he is undermining the authority of the President and must be arrested and already similar charges had been taken to Court within the short space of time of President Mnangagwa's reign against citizens of Zimbabwe for expressing their misgivings about this administration. Why do we allow history to keep repeating itself in this fashion? When President ED, was asked about Gukurahundi he turned red!! Imagine, he even said the 20 000 number was an imagination because there weren't as many people who died. He then further said 2008 elections were free and fair and if that is his idea of free and fair then 2018 is the bomb. They went to the lengths and breath of the world to act an award wining episode of escaping Zimbabwe via Mozambique and then coming back, laboured to sanitise the Coup, then you believe they will preside over an election, and allow themselves to lose?
Well Zimbabwe, you are cut from a much different clothe, it is not to be compared to any, all of Africa is a pay grade above us, we cannot blame those that oppress us because in the 80s we turned a blind eye to Gukurahundi, and only to wake up much later in the 2000 election violence, today the Constitution is pissed upon, the courts champion and lead the pack in desecrating the Constitution which started with President ED on section 180 of the Constitution, and we let it be, wait, when shall we wake up? What will have happened? Maybe After President Chiwenga, President Shiri, President Moyo, maybe then? And by then the Judge President will be Retired Brigadier Shumba and Chief Justice will be Retired General Dube?
What makes us a people? Do we have a sense of citizenship and responsibility or we have resigned ourselves to being illegal immigrants and makwerekere is what suits us better as a people? Do we not need better? Those staying in the country would rather pick crumbs under the master's table singing his praises, is that the life of a Zimbabwean? And you should dare not speak, because if you speak the system will eradicate you like a cockroach because it has mighty DDT that squashes bugs? Is that our portion as a nation?
Reflection: A President who by implication refers to people as dogs that continue barking while they continue to rule? The one who when others were fired in ZANU gloated over ZANU's firing but when he was fired brought the country to a stand-still using its armoury to fight his dismissal? So, who is ZANU PF? Who has always been the master mind behind the ZANU PF of 38 years? Who has been manipulating President Mugabe? Do you think President Mugabe might have more to say if asked about the man behind all the grisly acts of the 38 years? President Mugabe has been described as a hero, a father and teacher and who is this man? Is there a chance this man has always been behind this country's direction? Closely trusted Aid, and confidant, son, who saved ZANU PF in 2008 knowing he will take it over some day and always close by, lurking in the shadows monitoring things? The greatest Politician and Master-Planner! Maybe as we suffer our folly we should celebrate the greatest game of chase by the Master player, our President, President Mnangagwa- Kutonga Kwaro!! The man with the Gamatox!
Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda
LDNC Chairperson.
In our politics, we have seen how far true it is that if you cannot beat them, join them, no matter at what cost. A person with the hindsight of our politics, has to understand the coercive arm of our government for as long as we have known the term government, to us, this is synonymous with ‘ngozi' in shona and ‘umgobho' in Ndebele, you have no choice because it either means your life or you toe the line.
A few months ago, not so long ago, our current President Mr E D Mnangagwa boasted about how he served the day in 2008 when ZANU PF had lost an election, he said he called Mr Mutasa who was on his way to Mutare, he credits himself with regrouping people to take the election victory from MDC to ZANU PF. We all seem not to remember or care about that. It does not beg for wondering why Zimbabwe sits where we are today, because the blood of hundreds of those who died during that period was betrayed by the GNU, accepting that ZANU PF could not lose. A precedent was set, and it is proving very expensive and maybe we have to understand that the negotiators to the GNU from the MDC did not also care a lot about the welfare of many when the opportunity to get into government presented itself. Many are thankful to the GNU for what it achieved but the other side of studies in the philosophy of History talks about taking a glance at what could have happened had the choice taken not been taken and the one/s left exercised.
I guess it's a theory no one bothers about.
What is the point of going to an election if there is someone who should not lose? Where are the principles of elections there? Anywhere today we have President E D Mnangagwa, accolades to the army, and yesterday we had President Mugabe, applause to the army! Ask yourself, this vicious cycle, where is Zimbabwe herding to? What difference does it make? Millions of dollars into the new constitution making process which led to the Constitution of 2013, what for? There are no principles in our country, whatever that is written in that Constitution is not worth the paper that it is even written on.
Zimbabwe makes laws that it uses to rule by and there is no rule of law. The Constitution has been trampled on and means nothing to those that rule Zimbabwe and the rest of the populace dance to the tune of those that control state power and the state is made up of those in power, the state in Zimbabwe is not a static concept that has institutions but the state describes the holders of power at that moment and they use it willy-nilly, they are above the law. The global world watches even as Zimbabwe burns, who cares? We had accepted that Mr Mugabe as President had proved incorrigible and we accepted his sun was about to set in terms of the first office. Zimbabwe had accepted how he had been the law of the country and hence no one could speak against him.
That was a big mistake because those that would follow would also desire that unfettered power and reign. As ZANU was falling apart there was hope that we would pick the pieces and rebuild but President Mnangagwa had something in mind. He wanted in and he had the support of the army, and that was the end of the story. He took it and the Constitution was similarly trampled on in the same fashion it had been by his erstwhile boss and hero. The High Court in the Country went on to tell Zimbabweans to take the Constitution and shove it where the sun does not shine, maybe it was because of the presence of the army and that the army had pulled a fit against one they thought could never come down, and therefore the army was seen dangerously powerful, who could dare challenge that? Besides from the early 80s with those pumas, the wrath of our army has always been known, when you look at the history of assassinations in the Liberation parties during the Liberation struggle, you get to understand how power struggles have always unfolded in our land.
Mr Mnangagwa who was fired legally, his firing was turned over, to what intents and purposes only they know why they went to those lengths to do that because that did not in any way affect the inauguration of their chosen candidate as the new look ZANU PF but I guess this was meant for the ordinary gullible Zimbabweans. The same way that Zimbabweans danced and ululated for President Mugabe, allegiances changed over night and the population started to dance for ‘Kutonga kwaro', ‘mudhara achauya', ‘Ngwena' and ‘ED'. Those who had appeared to hold principles and even fought on Tsvangirai's side clamouring for democracy and Constitutionalism, dropped the song, understandably so, because MDC had mainly been about Mr Mugabe and less policy issues and in any case the agenda of the opposition had been changed and it had become irrelevant, mr Mugabe , their agenda was gone!
When the few that still believed in the Constitution started to challenge the illegalities of how the administration of Mr ED was formed, constituted and elevated, the new ZANU converts who had ululated at his firing made so much noise about those being puppies of Mr Mugabe and wanting Mr Mugabe back despite the clear prayers in the court papers that they sought not the return of Mr Mugabe but that the Constitution be held supreme. The excitement was that the banks would be with money in weeks and the 100days saw nothing but still a worsening of the situation and yet the people's eyes still appeared clouded. Is this the curse of Zimbabwe? How do we as a people pride ourselves in one of the faultiest systems and practices the world has ever seen and yet claim to be such an educated country? If this is what education does, I am better of uneducated.
When Mr Mugabe speaks, the ones who championed the cause of human rights, then say he is undermining the authority of the President and must be arrested and already similar charges had been taken to Court within the short space of time of President Mnangagwa's reign against citizens of Zimbabwe for expressing their misgivings about this administration. Why do we allow history to keep repeating itself in this fashion? When President ED, was asked about Gukurahundi he turned red!! Imagine, he even said the 20 000 number was an imagination because there weren't as many people who died. He then further said 2008 elections were free and fair and if that is his idea of free and fair then 2018 is the bomb. They went to the lengths and breath of the world to act an award wining episode of escaping Zimbabwe via Mozambique and then coming back, laboured to sanitise the Coup, then you believe they will preside over an election, and allow themselves to lose?
Well Zimbabwe, you are cut from a much different clothe, it is not to be compared to any, all of Africa is a pay grade above us, we cannot blame those that oppress us because in the 80s we turned a blind eye to Gukurahundi, and only to wake up much later in the 2000 election violence, today the Constitution is pissed upon, the courts champion and lead the pack in desecrating the Constitution which started with President ED on section 180 of the Constitution, and we let it be, wait, when shall we wake up? What will have happened? Maybe After President Chiwenga, President Shiri, President Moyo, maybe then? And by then the Judge President will be Retired Brigadier Shumba and Chief Justice will be Retired General Dube?
What makes us a people? Do we have a sense of citizenship and responsibility or we have resigned ourselves to being illegal immigrants and makwerekere is what suits us better as a people? Do we not need better? Those staying in the country would rather pick crumbs under the master's table singing his praises, is that the life of a Zimbabwean? And you should dare not speak, because if you speak the system will eradicate you like a cockroach because it has mighty DDT that squashes bugs? Is that our portion as a nation?
Reflection: A President who by implication refers to people as dogs that continue barking while they continue to rule? The one who when others were fired in ZANU gloated over ZANU's firing but when he was fired brought the country to a stand-still using its armoury to fight his dismissal? So, who is ZANU PF? Who has always been the master mind behind the ZANU PF of 38 years? Who has been manipulating President Mugabe? Do you think President Mugabe might have more to say if asked about the man behind all the grisly acts of the 38 years? President Mugabe has been described as a hero, a father and teacher and who is this man? Is there a chance this man has always been behind this country's direction? Closely trusted Aid, and confidant, son, who saved ZANU PF in 2008 knowing he will take it over some day and always close by, lurking in the shadows monitoring things? The greatest Politician and Master-Planner! Maybe as we suffer our folly we should celebrate the greatest game of chase by the Master player, our President, President Mnangagwa- Kutonga Kwaro!! The man with the Gamatox!
Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda
LDNC Chairperson.
Source - Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda
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