The bullied becomes the bully

As a people we have been bullied for more than three decades. We weren't allowed to speak up, we faced harassment and violence.

Now that chapter is over and Zimbabwe is free of dictatorship, some have learnt all the wrong lessons on how to obtain, hold and wield power. The MDC was always the party bearing the brunt of the bullying, but as so often happens in the playground, the bullied becomes the bully.

The MDC under Nelson Chamisa is moving ever steadily towards a Mugabe-lite run party. Chamisa walks around with his Vanguard militia, inspires mindless devotion without vision, and intimidates and bullies his political opponents, first and foremost, party Deputy President ThokozaniKhupe.

First, his supporters tried assaulting her and burning down a hut where she sheltered from the attacks at Morgan Tsvangirai's funeral, then they chased her out of the party with bullying and sexist attacks.

When these tactics didn't work, Nelson Chamisa has tried roping in pastors, lawyers and businesspeople to try and woo her back.

However, Khupe, who has remained faithful to Tsvangirai's peaceful vision, knows that these efforts are just a means to an end.

The end would be Khupe being side-lined in Chamisa's lust for power and will not give any power, credence or voice to the deputy president. He just wants her support and votes. This is not what we fought and shed blood for. The MDC fought against tyranny and bullying and now these tactics are killing our legacy, and worse, they are harming Zimbabwean new-found democracy.

We should be at the forefront of fighting against violence, sexism and tribalism, not adopting these traits to fight internal political battles. It is even more worrying that in the current political arena, the Mnangagwa-led Zanu PF is talking peace, justice and reconciliation, and our beloved MDC is becoming known as the violent and tribal party.

This comes from the top and Chamisa, who likes to describe himself as an agent of change, has to first change his actions and attitudes before he can even dream of changing Zimbabwe. We can ill afford to have another person in State House who uses bullying and violent tactics to achieve his aims.

If Chamisa is serious about uniting the party, he needs to undertake a series of steps that would regain the confidence of those who do not see his party as being our political home anymore. First, he should treat Khupe like an equal and apologise for the attacks on her as an Ndebele and female politician, and other MDC officials who are being physically chased out.

Second, he should disavow the Vanguard and not allow them to attend his events and rallies. Third, he needs to back his words up with actions and throw out anyone from the party who has been involved in violence, intimidation, sexism and tribalism.

The MDC needs to clean house inside the party before it can realistically go before the voter and say that this is a party of change, peace and unity.

Unfortunately, at the moment, it is the party that most represents the old regime and it is offering the Zimbabwean people a door to the past, a dark past that we thought we had stepped out from in November.

It is not too late to turn back and embrace the new Zimbabwe, and the MDC should be at the forefront of leading us forward, not aggressively forcing us back.

We appeal to you Chamisa, do not send emissaries to Khupe, go humbly yourself and beg forgiveness from her and all of us. As a Pastor, you should know that forgiveness can only come after meaningful action to rectify the original sin.

We are ready to forgive, are you ready to apologise?