Opinion / Columnist
'Zimbabwe electorate one of the most naive, docile and gullible in the world'
07 Nov 2014 at 23:21hrs | Views
There have been observations that Zimbabwe is heading for dynasty rule as First Lady Grace Mugabe hinted that she may run for president.
President Robert Mugabe echoed her sentiments, suggesting that if things go their way, Zimbabwe will only know the Mugabe family as leaders for the foreseeable future, well after the current president's death.
Zimbabweans pride themselves as one of the most literate populations in the world yet they are arguably one of the most oppressed.
Why is this?
Are Zimbabweans peaceful or are they just naive, docile and gullible?
Mugabe and Zanu-PF have managed to stay in power for over 34 years regardless of the regime's track record of violence, vote rigging and questionable delivering on their promises.
There are many lessons in history but it seems that no one in Zimbabwe is paying attention.
What is happening in Zimbabwe has some disturbing parallels to the situation in North Korea.
The Kim dynasty in North Korea is a three-generation lineage, which began with the rule of the country's first leader, Kim Il-sung, in 1948.
Kim developed a personality cult that saw him lead uncontested for 46 years. President Mugabe may not have a cult, but he has been hailed by many religious leaders in the country as the chosen one.
Some from the vaPostori sects and recently the Prohetic Healing Deliverance Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya have described Mugabe as god given.
Magaya implored Zimbabweans to remain united under the leadership of President Mugabe saying, "There is no better leader than President Mugabe because leaders are placed in such positions by God."
Back to North Korea, Kim Il-sung's son, Kim Jong-il was appointed to the party's Politburo (and its Presidium), Secretariat and the Central Military Commission at the 6th Congress in 1980, which formalised his role as heir apparent.
Grace Mugabe has been nominated to lead the Zanu-PF Women's league and will be part of the policy making Politburo. Is she being groomed to take over from her husband?
The Kims, like Zanu-PF, used violence, beatings, imprisonment, grain confiscation and service deprivation, to spread fear and obedience.
Perceived disloyalty is punishable by death in North Korea and in December 2013, Kim Jong-Un ruthlessly killed his own uncle Jang Sung-taek, who was the second most powerful person in North Korea after accusing him of corruption and treason.
North Korea's Kim dynasty has thrived by using total control over society and Ken E. Gause in an article for Forbes wrote about North Korea, "Overseeing this apparatus of coercion and repression are a number of internal security—or domestic spying—agencies."
It can be argued that the feared CIOs in Zimbabwe have a similar effect, leaving the population fearful of any slight show of disobedience.
Of the situation in North Korea, Gause adds: "They squabble over jurisdiction while battling 'to prove their absolute loyalty to the Supreme Leader.'"
Following Grace Mugabe's 'Meet The People' tour where she mercilessly attacked Mujuru, officials from both of the alleged factions have been scathing about each other but have been at pains to show their devotion to president Mugabe.
Indeed, there are haunting similarities but can you blame Zanu-PF if Zimbabwe sleep walks into a dynasty like North Korea?
The question still remains.
Are Zimbabweans peaceful or are they just naive, docile and gullible?
Perhaps the apparent apathy is a result of fear or just self preservation.
Only time will tell.
Source - Nomalizwe Mbulu
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