A time for calm heads

Anyone with even the most basic understanding of Zimbabwean history will have been nervous last week to hear the chilling words of MDC-T youth chairperson, Happymore Chidziva, that "we will make the country ungovernable" unless our demands are met.
                                                  
Chidziva's threats relate to the MDC-T's claims that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is yet to implement the necessary electoral reforms ahead of the impending harmonised elections.
 
The validity of these claims is up for debate: Certainly the state media remains on the side of the ruling party, in contravention to the law, and there have been certain concerning statements from voices within the government concerning the role of the army. However, these seem largely to be lone voices, and have been drowned out by condemnations from the government, as well as President Mnangagwa's unwavering assertion that the elections will be free, fair and credible.
 
In fact, in contrast to the MDC-T's allegations, the ZEC actually seems to be doing a pretty good job. Despite opposition claims, the provisional voters roll is freely available as a link – a key demand – allowing any political grouping or interested party to look through it at their convenience. In fact, to date almost five millions Zimbabweans have taken advantage of this provision to check the voters roll. Further, the government has signed the Electoral Amendment Bill into law to bring legal effect to the Statutory Instrument on the biometric voter registration and creating a new code of conduct for political parties and candidates, while also creating specialised courts for election violence.
 
These steps have been recognised by an unprecedented array of international organisations and actors who have visited Zimbabwe in recent weeks, commenting positively on the progress made in preparing for free and fair elections. In fact, government has invited over 60 bodies or individuals so far to observe the election, with most already confirming their intention to attend. Most notably, government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union last week that set out a framework and arrangements on how the bloc is going to observe the elections.
 
And most importantly, we must surely all recognise that this is the freest and most peaceful pre-election environment in recent Zimbabwean history, and perhaps, ever seen in this country. Nelson Chamisa and other opposition leaders hold campaign rallies daily, without even the slightest incident or clash with the police, while opposition supporters speak their minds on social media daily, with some hurling the vilest insults at President Mnangagwa, and with the exception of one seemingly isolated and freak incident with a prison warden, are completely free to do so. In fact, the one area in which we can all agree that there has unquestionably been a new dispensation has been in freedom of speech and association.
 
Amidst all this positivity and progress, the last thing Zimbabwe now needs is to be made "ungovernable" by a mass opposition protest in favour of something that is already happening. Sure, there are more things to be done, and the MDC should raise these issues in a peaceful and civil manner, but not by threatening to bring chaos and to grind our economy and government to a halt!
 
For if they do so, who will suffer? Businesses will have to shut down, losing much needed income. People will not be able to get to work, threatening their livelihoods. And if god forbid the protest turns violent, people could get hurt and damage could be done to our infrastructure.
 
What is required therefore is for calmer heads to prevail. For the MDC leadership to calm their young supporters, to stand down The Vanguard, and to ensure that this peaceful pre-election environment is maintained.
 
Unfortunately however, leadership is exactly what is missing. Chamisa seems to be enthralled by his moment of fame, and instead of turning down the temperature, he is inflaming the tensions with his claim that "We have the numbers and we can close down Harare" and "We will not let the election happen if we do not agree on crucial issues."
 
This is not the talk Zimbabwe needs right now. With the eyes of the world firmly on us, Zimbabwe is on the path to free and fair elections, a critical step for the recovery of our economy. What we need from our leaders is statesmanship, leadership and to calm down their most hot headed supporters. Mnangagwa is doing just this, but unfortunately Chamisa seems incapable or unwilling to do the same.
 
If Tuesday's protest turns to chaos, and our peaceful pre-election environment deteriorates, the blame will be solely on his shoulders.