Opinion / Columnist
Grace Mugabe may rule naïve Zimbabweans
10 Oct 2014 at 09:00hrs | Views
It may actually come to pass that 'Dr' Grace may actually rule the silent diplomacy Zimbabweans. The attitude of the Zimbos is that of laissez faire kind with regard to what happens in their country or what is done by their government on their behalf. Zimbabweans and their government live in different parts of the world. We have become so hopeless and so powerless and at the mercy of the cruel and unrelentingly evil Zanu-PF government. As a result Zanu-PF does whatever it wants with us, I mean whatever. As far as we Zimbabweans are concerned, we are adrift in a whirlwind and are out of control and only waiting to see where this would spew us. If it spews us, the better, about when, that is another issue.
Mugabe lost to MDC in 2008 but 'won' a solo poll after MDC withdrew siting unprecedented violence against its members everywhere around the country. People did not protest. Later Mugabe and Thabo Mbeki literally coaxed MDC into a GNU promising some reforms. However of all the reforms stipulated in the GPA only the constitution writing was undertaken. For this Zanu-PF made sure that the paper was tailor made only to enhance its own interests. We Zimbabweans maintained our silent diplomacy.
In the 31st July election again Zanu-PF took advantage of our silent diplomacy. People of opposition parties were not allowed to register to vote. Opposition parties contested in an election in which they have no means of verifying any minute part of the election process. They had no access to the voter's roll; they also could not freely hold rallies. The security forces openly pledged their support for the ruling Zanu-PF and vow not to let anyone take over from Mugabe.
This is not acceptable. With Mugabe single handedly appointing the Constitutional Court Judges, a legal recourse is impossible if elections are rigged, given that these justices know and are inclined to bow down to their boss. The opposition must insist on the reforms first and must not contest in any elections conducted under skewed settings. We witnessed this in the 31stJuly elections where voters' role was feloniously withheld, and where the 'court' seemed reluctant to compel ZEC to avail election material to be used as evidence. As a result, Zanu-PF unambiguously and shamelessly rigged the last elections under the very nose of change needing and deserving Zimbabweans.
Still we get along with all this hogwash without complaining.
Zanu-PF has no clue whatsoever of getting the country out the economic crisis that is devastating the livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans but it still gripping on to power. Unemployment is at 90% and more than 70% of the population lives below the poverty datum line. People in have no access to water and roads are torn. Government raises revenue through unjust means that actually amounts to extortion. Health delivery system is almost non existent. Education system is highly compromised and this has seen Grace graduating with a PHD without having studied for it. There is poor remuneration of civil servants with erratic pay dates. Zanu-PF has completely failed the people. Given these conditions, life continues as normal without any sign of discomfort on part of the Zimbabweans.
I talked to Henry Muchena sometime ago. He said, "Zimbabweans will only be in horrifying danger when they begin to perceive the absence of service delivery as something normal". We now have reached this juncture. Corruption is normal, so is sewage flowing in the streets and our children playing in it. So is garbage accumulation I the streets or heavily potholed roads. When we go to Parirenyatwa or Harare hospitals and find no doctors or medicines, we accept it. We are at home with unacceptable situations. Mugabe has ruled for 34 years and this has impoverished Zimbabweans to an unimaginable extent. We still accept him as our leader, he who has done us this great injustice.
Zanu-PF realizes fully well how weak we are and stretches us to the breaking point still with no signs of distress. So there is no reason why he cannot leave his wife as a president for us his stooges. We take anything. To Mugabe Zimbabwe is his own personal house. He is like a king. He only uses elections that he fashions the settings so that he always wins only to gain some legitimacy in the eyes of the international community. The election settings are cast in such a way that it is impossible for Jongwe to lose. In 2008 these settings were remodeled and panel beaten during an election process when victory for Mugabe looked less certain.
For Grace it is a matter of whether she is willing to become president or not. Mugabe can do whatever he wants with the Zimbabwean people. He manipulates both Zanu-PF and Zimbabweans for his own ends. With Zanu-PF being a party of where everyone thrives or makes progress through the party ranks through licking Mugabe's, I mean everyone, with no exception, we can see how the way is all open and marked for Grace to the presidency. There is a good chance that we will all remain indifferent and endure more decades under Grace's rule. Recently all who want to see Mugabe smile have already suggested Grace for the politburo, women's league leadership and very ambitious some have suggested her for the vice presidency which may ultimately see her become leader if Mugabe feels tired of ruling.
Again people of Zimbabwe get easily conned by the always step ahead Mugabe. Last time they all gave their attention to the decoy prophesies of Baba Jukwa. When they eventually awoke from the Jukwa's deceiving stupor, Mugabe had deceitfully achieved two thirds majority for himself for Zanu-PF in the house. It was then too late to ask Jukwa who was nowhere to be found. Zanu-PF is no to be trusted on anything it says or suggest.
Now people and media are pre-occupied with the idea that succession debate will keep heating up and now people are counting on the succession infighting that it will miraculously end up thrusting or somehow eject freedom to their door. Mugabe may actually be brewing something different whilst private media speculates on this improbable, gambling like, way of obtaining freedom. Last time, the private media prompted by the same baba Jukwa, was awash with the idea that Bob was almost kicking it because of the frequent visits to Malaysia. But it turned out that Grace got well out of these visits, using state money.
Nevertheless, Tsvangirayi seems to have regained his consciousness by calling for mass protests. Mass protest is the only viable process left to dispose of Mugabe's unfeeling regime and to guarantee success Tsvangirayi has to walk the streets leading the protests. Else Mugabe will continue to see us as toothless dogs which he may do as he please with.
Freedom will never come accidentally to the people, it has to be seized or captured. Once freedom is attained then it may be tenaciously maintained. Tsvangirayi has been duped of victory on severally occasions by the shameless and cunning Mugabe. He cannot keep trying the ballot which like I said is heavily tilted in favor of Mugabe. Mugabe is in complete control of the ballot system knobs and he can always tune the settings for his victory.
For Tsvangirayi to continue trying to go through this heavily barricaded poll avenue may result in people doubting his IQ. On the other hand consider the damage to the economy, infrastructure and mindsets that would have occurred if he decides to wait for 2018. There is no other way to obtain freedom for the suffering people than the protest avenue. If not this way then it might soon be Grace, the 'Queen' or Mujuru the less witted, or Ngwena who drowns others. One of these will be forced on the Zimbabwean people whether they like him/her or not…
-----------------
zekishumba@gmail.com,
St Johns, Bag 113, Nyazura,
Zimbabwe
+263776630178
Mugabe lost to MDC in 2008 but 'won' a solo poll after MDC withdrew siting unprecedented violence against its members everywhere around the country. People did not protest. Later Mugabe and Thabo Mbeki literally coaxed MDC into a GNU promising some reforms. However of all the reforms stipulated in the GPA only the constitution writing was undertaken. For this Zanu-PF made sure that the paper was tailor made only to enhance its own interests. We Zimbabweans maintained our silent diplomacy.
In the 31st July election again Zanu-PF took advantage of our silent diplomacy. People of opposition parties were not allowed to register to vote. Opposition parties contested in an election in which they have no means of verifying any minute part of the election process. They had no access to the voter's roll; they also could not freely hold rallies. The security forces openly pledged their support for the ruling Zanu-PF and vow not to let anyone take over from Mugabe.
This is not acceptable. With Mugabe single handedly appointing the Constitutional Court Judges, a legal recourse is impossible if elections are rigged, given that these justices know and are inclined to bow down to their boss. The opposition must insist on the reforms first and must not contest in any elections conducted under skewed settings. We witnessed this in the 31stJuly elections where voters' role was feloniously withheld, and where the 'court' seemed reluctant to compel ZEC to avail election material to be used as evidence. As a result, Zanu-PF unambiguously and shamelessly rigged the last elections under the very nose of change needing and deserving Zimbabweans.
Still we get along with all this hogwash without complaining.
Zanu-PF has no clue whatsoever of getting the country out the economic crisis that is devastating the livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans but it still gripping on to power. Unemployment is at 90% and more than 70% of the population lives below the poverty datum line. People in have no access to water and roads are torn. Government raises revenue through unjust means that actually amounts to extortion. Health delivery system is almost non existent. Education system is highly compromised and this has seen Grace graduating with a PHD without having studied for it. There is poor remuneration of civil servants with erratic pay dates. Zanu-PF has completely failed the people. Given these conditions, life continues as normal without any sign of discomfort on part of the Zimbabweans.
I talked to Henry Muchena sometime ago. He said, "Zimbabweans will only be in horrifying danger when they begin to perceive the absence of service delivery as something normal". We now have reached this juncture. Corruption is normal, so is sewage flowing in the streets and our children playing in it. So is garbage accumulation I the streets or heavily potholed roads. When we go to Parirenyatwa or Harare hospitals and find no doctors or medicines, we accept it. We are at home with unacceptable situations. Mugabe has ruled for 34 years and this has impoverished Zimbabweans to an unimaginable extent. We still accept him as our leader, he who has done us this great injustice.
For Grace it is a matter of whether she is willing to become president or not. Mugabe can do whatever he wants with the Zimbabwean people. He manipulates both Zanu-PF and Zimbabweans for his own ends. With Zanu-PF being a party of where everyone thrives or makes progress through the party ranks through licking Mugabe's, I mean everyone, with no exception, we can see how the way is all open and marked for Grace to the presidency. There is a good chance that we will all remain indifferent and endure more decades under Grace's rule. Recently all who want to see Mugabe smile have already suggested Grace for the politburo, women's league leadership and very ambitious some have suggested her for the vice presidency which may ultimately see her become leader if Mugabe feels tired of ruling.
Again people of Zimbabwe get easily conned by the always step ahead Mugabe. Last time they all gave their attention to the decoy prophesies of Baba Jukwa. When they eventually awoke from the Jukwa's deceiving stupor, Mugabe had deceitfully achieved two thirds majority for himself for Zanu-PF in the house. It was then too late to ask Jukwa who was nowhere to be found. Zanu-PF is no to be trusted on anything it says or suggest.
Now people and media are pre-occupied with the idea that succession debate will keep heating up and now people are counting on the succession infighting that it will miraculously end up thrusting or somehow eject freedom to their door. Mugabe may actually be brewing something different whilst private media speculates on this improbable, gambling like, way of obtaining freedom. Last time, the private media prompted by the same baba Jukwa, was awash with the idea that Bob was almost kicking it because of the frequent visits to Malaysia. But it turned out that Grace got well out of these visits, using state money.
Nevertheless, Tsvangirayi seems to have regained his consciousness by calling for mass protests. Mass protest is the only viable process left to dispose of Mugabe's unfeeling regime and to guarantee success Tsvangirayi has to walk the streets leading the protests. Else Mugabe will continue to see us as toothless dogs which he may do as he please with.
Freedom will never come accidentally to the people, it has to be seized or captured. Once freedom is attained then it may be tenaciously maintained. Tsvangirayi has been duped of victory on severally occasions by the shameless and cunning Mugabe. He cannot keep trying the ballot which like I said is heavily tilted in favor of Mugabe. Mugabe is in complete control of the ballot system knobs and he can always tune the settings for his victory.
For Tsvangirayi to continue trying to go through this heavily barricaded poll avenue may result in people doubting his IQ. On the other hand consider the damage to the economy, infrastructure and mindsets that would have occurred if he decides to wait for 2018. There is no other way to obtain freedom for the suffering people than the protest avenue. If not this way then it might soon be Grace, the 'Queen' or Mujuru the less witted, or Ngwena who drowns others. One of these will be forced on the Zimbabwean people whether they like him/her or not…
-----------------
zekishumba@gmail.com,
St Johns, Bag 113, Nyazura,
Zimbabwe
+263776630178
Source - Zanda Shumba
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