Opinion / Columnist
ED Mnangagwa cannot eat his cake and still have it
29 Jan 2019 at 09:22hrs | Views
At some time, after Samuel had anointed Saul as king of Israel, the LORD commanded king Saul saying, "'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys".
According to Deutronomy, when the Isralites where on their way from Egypt, when they grew weary and worn out, Amakelites met them on their journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. That is why God was meting out such a harsh punishment against them.
We are told in the scripture that Samuel did mobilise his army and for sure went to attack the Amalekites and annihilated them. But Saul and the army spared and took Agag king of the Amalekites alive and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.
The LORD, displeased by Saul his actions, sent Samuel the prophet to rebuke Saul, perhaps expecting some repentance. Samuel was the one God had instructed to anoint Saul. But celebrating victory, Saul had already set up a monument in honour to himself at Mount Carmel.
On meeting with Samuel, Saul said to him, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears and this lowing of cattle that I hear?" Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest."
Samuel reminded Saul that the specific instruction was to wipe out everything. But Saul replied saying ""But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
Already here we see a communication breakdown. Saul kept blaming his soldiers, who were under his direct and absolute command. If he had stopped at blaming the soldiers he could be absolved, but he implicated himself when he went further to say what was reserved was meant for sacrifice.
When the soldiers spared the healthy animals, Saul endorsed this. He had already forgotten God's instruction on seeing wealth. His divine boss later fired him and replaced him with someone better than him. The events of the punishments meted against him would later lead him to an excruciatingly disturbing end.
In a similar fashion, Emmerson Mnangagwa's and his government are saying that it has already fulfilled all the requirements of democracy and human rights. But we still hear that people are being killed and tortured by security services. Many political activists are in hiding. Before his gvt imposed a blackout on the entire state through shutting down internet and social media, a lot of images had already circulated depicting the cruelty of his security forces. ED Mnangagwa himself then still professes ignorance of the actions of his security forces, of which he is the commander in chief. What he wants us to believe is whilst he is the army Chief, the army is not under his command. Our constitution clearly says only the president can deploy the armed forces. For August 1 shootings the president denied having deployed the forces, yet we were never told who did.
The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, recently updated by Congress, has provided a very important tool and clearly identified the reforms they expect: restoration of the rule of law, a commitment to equitable, legal and transparent land reform, and ensuring that military and national police forces are subordinate to the civilian government." Of the above none have been fulfilled. The pace and scale of reforms has been too gradual and not nearly ambitious enough. The state media continues to peddle nak*d lies and propaganda just like under RG Mugabe. It is not accommodative of all other political parties. What has made western countries stronger is an unfettered, free press. In Zimbabwe Ed Mnangagwa actually uses the state media to hide information and protect Zanu Pf criminals. During the recent stay away which turned violent, the State Media was the last to announce involvement of soldiers and police in the protest. Given that it is difficult to see the sincerity of the government in carrying out political reforms, for which to me, are key to economic turnaround and subsequent growth.
But Mr Mnangagwa want to have both a clean hand and a dirty hand. On camera he portrays a soft as wool attitude, but off the camera he is meting out untold violence to us, his own people. At the same time he wants aid to flow amidst all the cruelty. He wants to eat his cake and still have it. Only magicians pull those stunts. He may be consulting too many witches to stay in power but these don't understand any bit about politics. What ZIDERA says is plain and simple and many Zimbabweans are happy with the United States stance. When many nations and SADC have shied away from openly condemning actions of the evil government, the western state has adhered steadfastly to the principles of democracy and the actions of our Zimbabwean government under ED Mnangagwa is in direct conflict with the foreign policy of the US.
Amidst a deepening political crisis in Zimbabwe, many were actually surprised and infuriated by Ceril Ramaphosa's recommendation to have sanctions lifted on Zimbabwe. All Southern African presidents have always stood by Mugabe and now him by Mnangagwa. They have never stood by the Zimbabwean people. When unarmed civilians are being butchered and tortured by the army amn women are being raped, and when the country is deeply divided this is what Ceril says, "Zimbabwe has improved on its democracy and governance". He says this at a point where Zimbabwe is at its deepest point and darkest hour.
South Africa's economy is also buoyed as long as Zimbabwe remains in a crisis and industry continue to crumble. Zimbabweans buy most of their basic groceries and other important goods from across Limpopo. It pleases SA leaders therefore if we could remain oppressed and continuing to buy from them, their country will prosper at the expense of our economy collapse. Calling for sanctions removal without urging improvement on rule of law and human rights, to me is totally insane.
When Judge Brett Kavanaugh was nominated for Supreme Court bench, objections were raised for crimes allegedly committed when he was still in high school, some 40 years ago. Brett had to go through a senate hearing before the normal senate vote to have him confirmed.
Yet in Zimbabwe the state media has largely ignored the case of Mnangagwa's alleged forcing of some Raymond Majongwe when he took law into his hands and forced him to jump from third storey apartment. Majongwe got crippled as a result. Mnangagwa used his influence as a minister of intelligence to commit such gruesome crime. Robert Mugabe knew about this all along and it was only when they were at odds with Mnangagwa that he chose to mention this. Whilst the details on why he forced another citizen to do that may be private business, but the fact that he used the position of his office to both commit and conceal the crime and later suppress the recourse of justice using his office is worrying enough and does not make him fit for a high office. Especially that justice was suppressed. We see it today also under ED's government when evidence was again tempered with during the recent stay away. We are told State agents approached hospital officials to have them change causes of wounds and death on those shot using live bullets by state army. Earlier commission's findings and reports on Gukurahundi are still being suppressed by the same government. Ed Mnangagwa knows that the majority of Zimbabwe actually now hate him for his cruelty and apathy to their suffering. On his twitter handle his actually abhorred, check the comments. I don't know why he has to choose to keep on forcing. This is worse than rape, no wonder why his soldiers are raping women shamelessly in broad daylight and without repercussion. Soldiers are raping women in front of family members. He cannot chastise his soldiers when he is doing the same on a large scale. The state is also hiding, through the state media, the actual number of those shot dead by soldiers.
So we have not reached a stage where we can say we have human rights, democracy and rule of law in Zimbabwe. We actually have a regime that uses state media to cover up for crimes committed by senior government officials and even the executive itself.
In my opinion it is impossible for ED Mnangagwa's government to reform, given the amount and nature of crimes they have committed. They cannot free up the democratic space as they will be defeated in free elections given their history of incompetence and corruption. They cannot allow for the rule of the law because even ED Mnangagwa himself will end up behind bars.
But still the obtaining economic and political situation on the ground is compelling that govt does one thing or the other, now and not later. I recommend that President Mnangagwa resigns and negotiate for an exit deal whilst he still can. He now has too much on his hands…
Peaceful protests have to be allowed to continue however as long as there is no improvement. People have the right to petition and should to be allowed to express themselves through protests under and with police escort. Pent up angers may be released later in any form. In many cases it was reported that Zanu pf youths did all the looting in gvt's bid to label the stay away violent. We look forward to continuance of protests until the objective is achieved and the livelihoods of the ordinary Zimbabweans improve. The government should address people's grievances and not beat them up or shoot at them. They are the rightful owners of the country.
According to Deutronomy, when the Isralites where on their way from Egypt, when they grew weary and worn out, Amakelites met them on their journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. That is why God was meting out such a harsh punishment against them.
We are told in the scripture that Samuel did mobilise his army and for sure went to attack the Amalekites and annihilated them. But Saul and the army spared and took Agag king of the Amalekites alive and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.
The LORD, displeased by Saul his actions, sent Samuel the prophet to rebuke Saul, perhaps expecting some repentance. Samuel was the one God had instructed to anoint Saul. But celebrating victory, Saul had already set up a monument in honour to himself at Mount Carmel.
On meeting with Samuel, Saul said to him, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears and this lowing of cattle that I hear?" Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest."
Samuel reminded Saul that the specific instruction was to wipe out everything. But Saul replied saying ""But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
Already here we see a communication breakdown. Saul kept blaming his soldiers, who were under his direct and absolute command. If he had stopped at blaming the soldiers he could be absolved, but he implicated himself when he went further to say what was reserved was meant for sacrifice.
When the soldiers spared the healthy animals, Saul endorsed this. He had already forgotten God's instruction on seeing wealth. His divine boss later fired him and replaced him with someone better than him. The events of the punishments meted against him would later lead him to an excruciatingly disturbing end.
In a similar fashion, Emmerson Mnangagwa's and his government are saying that it has already fulfilled all the requirements of democracy and human rights. But we still hear that people are being killed and tortured by security services. Many political activists are in hiding. Before his gvt imposed a blackout on the entire state through shutting down internet and social media, a lot of images had already circulated depicting the cruelty of his security forces. ED Mnangagwa himself then still professes ignorance of the actions of his security forces, of which he is the commander in chief. What he wants us to believe is whilst he is the army Chief, the army is not under his command. Our constitution clearly says only the president can deploy the armed forces. For August 1 shootings the president denied having deployed the forces, yet we were never told who did.
The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, recently updated by Congress, has provided a very important tool and clearly identified the reforms they expect: restoration of the rule of law, a commitment to equitable, legal and transparent land reform, and ensuring that military and national police forces are subordinate to the civilian government." Of the above none have been fulfilled. The pace and scale of reforms has been too gradual and not nearly ambitious enough. The state media continues to peddle nak*d lies and propaganda just like under RG Mugabe. It is not accommodative of all other political parties. What has made western countries stronger is an unfettered, free press. In Zimbabwe Ed Mnangagwa actually uses the state media to hide information and protect Zanu Pf criminals. During the recent stay away which turned violent, the State Media was the last to announce involvement of soldiers and police in the protest. Given that it is difficult to see the sincerity of the government in carrying out political reforms, for which to me, are key to economic turnaround and subsequent growth.
Amidst a deepening political crisis in Zimbabwe, many were actually surprised and infuriated by Ceril Ramaphosa's recommendation to have sanctions lifted on Zimbabwe. All Southern African presidents have always stood by Mugabe and now him by Mnangagwa. They have never stood by the Zimbabwean people. When unarmed civilians are being butchered and tortured by the army amn women are being raped, and when the country is deeply divided this is what Ceril says, "Zimbabwe has improved on its democracy and governance". He says this at a point where Zimbabwe is at its deepest point and darkest hour.
South Africa's economy is also buoyed as long as Zimbabwe remains in a crisis and industry continue to crumble. Zimbabweans buy most of their basic groceries and other important goods from across Limpopo. It pleases SA leaders therefore if we could remain oppressed and continuing to buy from them, their country will prosper at the expense of our economy collapse. Calling for sanctions removal without urging improvement on rule of law and human rights, to me is totally insane.
When Judge Brett Kavanaugh was nominated for Supreme Court bench, objections were raised for crimes allegedly committed when he was still in high school, some 40 years ago. Brett had to go through a senate hearing before the normal senate vote to have him confirmed.
Yet in Zimbabwe the state media has largely ignored the case of Mnangagwa's alleged forcing of some Raymond Majongwe when he took law into his hands and forced him to jump from third storey apartment. Majongwe got crippled as a result. Mnangagwa used his influence as a minister of intelligence to commit such gruesome crime. Robert Mugabe knew about this all along and it was only when they were at odds with Mnangagwa that he chose to mention this. Whilst the details on why he forced another citizen to do that may be private business, but the fact that he used the position of his office to both commit and conceal the crime and later suppress the recourse of justice using his office is worrying enough and does not make him fit for a high office. Especially that justice was suppressed. We see it today also under ED's government when evidence was again tempered with during the recent stay away. We are told State agents approached hospital officials to have them change causes of wounds and death on those shot using live bullets by state army. Earlier commission's findings and reports on Gukurahundi are still being suppressed by the same government. Ed Mnangagwa knows that the majority of Zimbabwe actually now hate him for his cruelty and apathy to their suffering. On his twitter handle his actually abhorred, check the comments. I don't know why he has to choose to keep on forcing. This is worse than rape, no wonder why his soldiers are raping women shamelessly in broad daylight and without repercussion. Soldiers are raping women in front of family members. He cannot chastise his soldiers when he is doing the same on a large scale. The state is also hiding, through the state media, the actual number of those shot dead by soldiers.
So we have not reached a stage where we can say we have human rights, democracy and rule of law in Zimbabwe. We actually have a regime that uses state media to cover up for crimes committed by senior government officials and even the executive itself.
In my opinion it is impossible for ED Mnangagwa's government to reform, given the amount and nature of crimes they have committed. They cannot free up the democratic space as they will be defeated in free elections given their history of incompetence and corruption. They cannot allow for the rule of the law because even ED Mnangagwa himself will end up behind bars.
But still the obtaining economic and political situation on the ground is compelling that govt does one thing or the other, now and not later. I recommend that President Mnangagwa resigns and negotiate for an exit deal whilst he still can. He now has too much on his hands…
Peaceful protests have to be allowed to continue however as long as there is no improvement. People have the right to petition and should to be allowed to express themselves through protests under and with police escort. Pent up angers may be released later in any form. In many cases it was reported that Zanu pf youths did all the looting in gvt's bid to label the stay away violent. We look forward to continuance of protests until the objective is achieved and the livelihoods of the ordinary Zimbabweans improve. The government should address people's grievances and not beat them up or shoot at them. They are the rightful owners of the country.
Source - ZandaShumba
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