MDC-T has gone past its best before date like the GPA

More than two years after the start of the processes leading to the drafting of a new constitution, Zimbabweans took to the polls on the 16th March 2013 to decide on the fate of the draft Zimbabwean constitution which was agreed on by the principals on the 14th January 2013. Zimbabweans turn out in their numbers to vote peacefully in the constitutional referendum which is going to signal a new beginning for the country.

The large turnout witnessed during the voting process and the peace that prevailed is indication of an overwhelming yes to the draft which was endorsed by all the political parties. The peace that prevailed is vindication to all peace loving Zimbabweans. It puts to shame claims by the MDC-T emissary Jameson Timba alleging an increase in the  resurgence of political violence across the country.

As if that was not enough, during the voting process MDC-T was busy scrounging for isolated incidents of political violence to report to their masters so that the voting process can be discredited. It is disheartening to hear high profile members of MDC-T trying at pains to discredit a process which they are part of. One wonders, whose interests they are serving and what their objective is.

Now that the constitution referendum has taken place, focus is now shifting towards watershed elections which are going to take place this year. If the expected results are an indication of the free will and expression of the people of Zimbabwe, I have no doubt the same will is going to be expressed freely during the harmonised elections. Zimbabweans in their totality now know exactly what they want and from whom they can get it.

The past weeks leading to the referendum have once again seen the manifestation of the true colours of MDC-T. Since the harmonised elections are now imminent and MDC-T can see defeat at the hands of Zanu-PF fast approaching, they are now back to their usual mantra of outstanding key reforms, resurgence of violence, challenges in the voter registration and the call for intervention by the SADC and other countries. All this is meant to justify their lengthy stay in government. But Zimbabweans can't be fooled for the second time.

Morgan Tsvangirai, I hear he is now Doctor. Yes Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC-T party should come to terms with the fact that their honeymoon in the inclusive government is fast coming to an end. Zimbabweans who voted for them in 2008 have finally seen the calibre of leadership they sought to entrust our beloved country. Since 2008, no meaningful contributions have come from them. Instead they have become the problem bedevilling Zimbabwe today, because of their policy inconsistencies and grandstanding at major international forum at the expense of Zimbabweans.

Furthermore, instead of supporting people-centred policies and programmes initiated by Zanu-PF they have been putting parallel structures in the country to work against meaningful development in the country. Their role in government has been to counter suggestions and policies initiated by people who have the people at heart. A look at JUICE, whose best before date came before it was implemented, is clear testimony of a visionless leadership in MDC-T.

Surely Zimbabweans have learnt their lesson and will not repeat the same mistake. The harmonised elections should put Tsvangirai and the MDC-T in their rightful places. They have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that they were courageous opportunists who took advantage of people during the downturn of the economy after 2000. Now is the time of reckoning for these trade unionists to be put back where they belong. They have no place in the new dispensation brought by the new people's constitution.

In peace, the people of Zimbabwe will defy the odds by voting the people's party Zanu-PF into government, during the harmonised elections. MDC-T has gone past its best before date like the GPA which brought them into power. And the time is now. No amount of globe-trotting by Jameson Timba, intervention by the SADC Troika and name calling by the EU, Britian and United States of America, will hoodwink Zimbabweans into voting MDC-T into government.