Zanu-PF's hypocrisy stinks to high heaven

It seems the threats to Temba Mliswa's tenure as Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial chair have come to pass.

And how predictable can Zanu-PF be - as well as some hyenas masquerading as its leaders.

For those who are not acquainted with the sordid goings-on in the party, the Hurungwe West legislator is facing a vote of no-confidence initiated by some of his conniving executive members.

And if past experience is anything to go by, Mliswa could be toast already, notwithstanding the confusion surrounding this matter and his valiant efforts to fight back the coup.

This is more so in light of Beauty Zhuwao's alleged assault of the beleaguered farmer and businessman, and further threats to "do more harm" than just throwing the water bottle, a development, which prompted this paper - at the time - to warn the "brave MP" to be wary.

And in many ways, the frightening and ominous episode portended worse things to come for Mliswa, bearing in mind that the assailant's husband Patrick is President Robert Mugabe's nephew.

Just as they say that blood is thicker than water, can anyone say with certainty or conviction that Mliswa's unclear dismissal as provincial party honcho is the end of his troubles?

But I digress.

As if to vividly highlight the anarchy currently bedevilling the 90-year-old leader's party, Mashonaland West's decision to give Mliswa the heave-ho was announced at a police station.

This followed serious resistance by the garrulous member of Parliament's supporters, which forced his opponents to seek refuge at the provincial police headquarters where regional vice chairman Ziyambi Ziyambi - and also Deputy Home Affairs minister - addressed a media conference amid chaos. According to witnesses, it was quite a spectacle.

But what are Mliswa's real sins that have ignited these typically "disproportionate and aggressive actions" from certain elements in Zanu-PF!

According to the lapdog State media, the concerned provincial executive committee members have resolved to pass a vote of no-confidence on him for, among other things, disrespecting the party's leadership through public statements and his alleged involvement with the American spy agency the Central Intelligence Agency.

What claptrap and typical Zanu-PF hypocrisy, and it is essential to go to the heart of the matter without haste.

As such, why is it okay for Grace Mugabe to go on so-called "meet the people" rallies around the country and where she routinely insults other senior party officials - with reckless abandon - and without any fear whatsoever of ever being called to order one day?

Secondly, why is it also okay for someone like my namesake Chris Mutsvangwa to sabre-rattle at party leaders like Vice President Joice Mujuru and Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa, in the State media, without facing any censure or consequences?

But at the same time, poor Mliswa and lesser mortals cannot do the same?

As Information minister Jonathan Moyo is fond of saying, what is good for the goose must surely be good for the gander and isn't this common logic?

And if the Americans, British and other Western powers are such sworn enemies of Zimbabwe, Zanu-PF and its senior leadership, how come these "hostile nations" are still fully represented at diplomatic level in our country?

Only last week, Mugabe was even welcoming the new London envoy to Zimbabwe in broad daylight and, so, what is wrong - and treasonous - about Mliswa and other Zimbabweans interacting with these people if Bob himself is doing some high-fives with them?

Still at it, why is it also alright for Harare to trade with "white" Russia and other not-so-dark nations when it suits this Zanu-PF-led government, but its taboo for some black Zimbabweans to live and work harmoniously with white locals?

Further, how come some Western governments such as Germany and Australia are funding developmental projects, including the Norton water scheme and deep into Mugabe's homeland, but others cannot fund similar projects in Hurungwe?

For the record, Zimbabwe's liberation war effort - from

Mozambique and all - was funded by countries such as Sweden, Mutasa reminded us recently.

However, the truth is that all that is happening to Mliswa and a million other victims of Zanu-PF's misrule is that the centre can no longer hold, which is why corruption, debilitating divisions and fatal contradictions are the order of the day.

As has been repeatedly recorded by history, many ruling party bigwigs have no hesitation to abuse their incumbency, access to resources and instruments of power whenever their power base is threatened from within or without the party - which is why this poor fellow's story does not shock us.

Things are so bad in our country and Zanu-PF today that it's not far-fetched to fear witnessing some fatal consequences of this instability, and the party's unnecessary infighting.

As for government service, one wonders if there will not be a complete breakdown too soon.

Things are that bad indeed. Even though Zanu-PF is claiming that suspensions such as Mliswa's have been stopped, the signal it is sending is worrying and things are that bad.