From protests to prophets - Is this what dictators fear!

It could be argued that the recent sudden death of Malawi's Bingu WaMutharika has left many people puzzled as they thought someone other than him was meant by TB Joshua's prophecy.

They have been puzzled because the imminent death of an African leader appeared to refer to Robert Mugabe.

On the other hand, some Malawians were reportedly not bothered: "We know he is dead and unfortunately he died at a local, poor hospital which he never cared about â€" no drugs, no power," said Chimwemwe Phiori, a businessman (Reuters, 06/04/12).

The same could be said of Robert Mugabe's obsessive personal indulgence and will-full extravagance by seeking medical attention abroad while medical facilities back home are falling apart.
 
Even if Mugabe finally makes a surprise appearance at the Cabinet meeting which has been rescheduled for Thursday 12 April, that would not stop wild speculations surrounding his health and the succession crisis.
 
His absence is undoubtedly paralysing Cabinet meetings and his party's politburo meetings, which can only be chaired by him until his death. Let alone his party's push for "elections now" regardless of key reforms.

Given his recent assertions that he was as fit as a fiddle and the regime's claims that he was going to help find a post-graduate place for his daughter alias 'Tracy Guvamombe' in Singapore, the only plausible explanations for his prolonged absence are either he is seriously ill or probably being held up for unpaid bills, because it is taking too long.
 
Ironically, the University of Zimbabwe for which Mugabe is the Chancellor, has fallen on hard times and needs up-to US$70 million for capital projects that include geo-technology laboratories and the refurbishment of medical laboratories.

Mugabe's hypocrisy of pumping money into foreign economies and universities when Zimbabwe's economy is on its knees can be clearly understood in the context of UZ which has suspended geology and metallurgy departments due to the unavailability of lecturers.

The mining engineering department is reportedly "limping with no more than three lecturers". To make worse, for the first time in the country's history, the UZ's school of medicine which used to be the envy of many regional countries, had a record failure rate in March 2012 when 45 of the 163 medical students failed their examinations.

Proof that some politicians hardly learn any lessons is that after 18 people had been killed in two days of public unrest sparked by worsening fuel shortages, rising prices and high unemployment in Malawi, the late Bingu wa Mutharika obliviously said:

"You demonstrated yesterday and throughout the night until today, but is there fuel today because of the demonstrations? I think God will do something top help us, will bless us, because these people are not being led by God, they are being led by Satan" (Guardian, "Malawi protesters killed during anti-regime riots," 21/07/11).

Although, some people are disappointed that TB Joshua predicted "the wrong despot", the consolation may be that he did not name the leader he predicted could be nearing his death but Zanu-pf was quick to issue a denial saying he did not mean Mugabe.

While puzzling to political scientists, a positive aspect of the yet unexplained ability of TB Joshua to make politically-relevant claims has been arguably its multiplier effect.
 
For instance, whether out of fear or anxiety or having an eye for an electioneering opportunity, one of the  Zanu-pf loyalists who attended "the Day of the Judgement" service at the weekend drew laughter when he lifted a clenched fist (a-la Zanu-pf) instead of an open palm (a-la MDC) when saying 'Praise Jesus" in greeting the crowd as the usual practice.

The prophets seem to have finally shifted the tables on African tyrants and their followers, at least for now, when the oppressed appeared to be despairing and finding refuge in fatalism as a safe haven than going on street protests to effect regime change.

Contact author: zimanalysis2009@gmail.com