#CAA3 a national disaster

The signing of #CAB3 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to #CAA was another notorious and political blunder made by this regime to consolidate power and create a dynasty in the disguise of developing a nation.

Real leadership in a democratic nation is less about commanding and more about serving the system that gives people power.

Mnangagwa lied that he was not going to be swayed to extend his leadership beyond his term, and today we see him getting so much excited about his term extension.

Developing a nation does not need a presidential term extension. Unfortunately, in Zanu-PF leadership, we see the opposite.

#CAA3 has actually closed the democratic space that all Zimbabweans used to enjoy. Allowing about 210 parliamentarians to choose a president is the most absurd thing to have happened in the country.

In a democracy, power does not belong to one person. It belongs to citizens, and leadership is how you steward that. 

There are core parts that actually encompass sound and true leadership. 

Firstly, we have accountability. Emmerson Mnangagwa's government is allergic to accountability.
Leaders must answer to the people, not the other way around.

That means transparent decisions, admitting mistakes, and accepting checks from courts, parliament, media, and voters. Without this, democracy just becomes elections with a boss.

Secondly, there should be protection of institutions over personalities. In this area we have also seen the regime dismally failing. A real leader aims at building and strengthening strong institutions such as courts, electoral bodies, election commissions, free press, and civil services instead of bending them to suit their nefarious agendas.

The goal is that the country must keep on working even after one leaves office. In democracies, the office matters more than the individual.

Thirdly, representation with deliberation is very fundamental in any kind of democracy. 
It is not just reflecting what the loudest group wants today. It is listening to minorities, experts, and opposing views, then finding policy that most people can live with. Instead, we have noticed that the Zanu PF regime has replaced the intellectual talents with Zviganandas and serial bootlickers who will never interrogate the status quo.

That requires compromise, debate, and explaining trade-offs honestly.

Upholding rights while delivering results is another critical factor for democratic leadership balance. It must protect civil liberties, rule of law, and free speech and solve practical problems like jobs, health, education, and safety. If you only do one, people lose trust in you.

Leaders do not possess absolute powers; their influence comes from credibility. Modeling honesty, restraint, and respect for opponents sets the tone for public discourse. Citizens copy what leaders normalize.

It is also critical to build civic capacity.
Good democratic leaders do not create dependency. They inform people, decentralize decisions, and encourage participation.

During the #CAB3 hearings, the opposition was denied access to air their voices, except for a few. Most of the time voices were only coming from the ruling party.

A healthy democracy does not operate smoothly under such a toxic environment. It needs an active public, not passive followers like those from the ruling party.

To prove that #CAA3 was fast-tracked and without the input of the majority, the regime last weekend organized celebration parties for its passing. 

Resources have been squandered. What a joyous occasion it was. Where in the world have you witnessed people rejoicing when a law is passed? Maybe only the gullible.

Email: konileonard606@gmail.com 

X - @Leokoni