Opinion / Columnist
Zanu-PF unfit to govern
09 Jun 2015 at 13:06hrs | Views
PRESS STATEMENT
The declaration made in Tsholotsho by the two appointed Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe over the weekend that only constituencies under Zanu-PF will benefit from government sponsored projects is unfortunate to say the least. These declarations bespeak of a serious lack of understanding of governance and contempt for the people of Zimbabwe and the constitution on the part of the two gentlemen. We wonder whether Zimbabweans are safe in the hands of Zanu-PF at this rate.
Political contestation does not mean enormity. It is a democratic vehicle for assuming state power. And once that power has been assumed the winner becomes servant of all citizens. All Zimbabweans, irrespective of political affiliation are entitled to government sponsored projects. No one must be excluded from government funding because government is not Zanu-PF and Zanu-PF is not government. There is a world of difference between a ruling party and government/state. It is common knowledge that a ruling party is one that would have won an election and assumes state power. This is the right or privilege to be in charge of equitable distribution of state resources to all citizens without discrimination. There must never be any confusion between the two.
It does not come as quick surprise that after thirty-five years of misrule Zanu-PF still has to be lectured on the basic tenets of governance. This accounts for the current mess that the country finds itself in. The country is in the hands of people who have no respect for the constitution and constitutionalism. It is the duty of the state and all institutions and agencies of government at every level to endeavour to facilitate development and no artificial barriers or conditionalities should be set for this process. The state owes every citizen development irrespective of their political affiliation.
Zanu-PF has an interesting campaign strategy of insulting people then expect their vote. The statements made by the two Vice Presidents are an insult to the people's intelligence, moreso because these statements were made in Tsholotsho, the heart of Kalanga people who, not so long ago, were insulted by President Mugabe as being uneducated criminals. We have said it before and we will say it again that in the next election, the people of Zimbabwe should not vote for such a myopic party, which cannot countenance competition for political office and wants to treat the country as its private property.
The thread of contradiction in Zanu-PF's campaign messages makes for interesting reading. One group says people in Bulawayo must vote for Zanu-PF so that Matabeleland can become part of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean constitution says this country is a unitary, democratic and sovereign republic. How then does Matabeleland become an outsider in this context? Does this mean that we have been ruled by a government that has made it its business to marginalise some communities? Zanu-PF seems to be creating another group of marginalised people on the basis of their political affiliation. Zanu-PF is not fit to govern and does not deserve anyone's vote. The party and its leadership has clearly become a threat to our sovereignty.
Joshua Mhambi
MDC National Spokesperson
The declaration made in Tsholotsho by the two appointed Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe over the weekend that only constituencies under Zanu-PF will benefit from government sponsored projects is unfortunate to say the least. These declarations bespeak of a serious lack of understanding of governance and contempt for the people of Zimbabwe and the constitution on the part of the two gentlemen. We wonder whether Zimbabweans are safe in the hands of Zanu-PF at this rate.
Political contestation does not mean enormity. It is a democratic vehicle for assuming state power. And once that power has been assumed the winner becomes servant of all citizens. All Zimbabweans, irrespective of political affiliation are entitled to government sponsored projects. No one must be excluded from government funding because government is not Zanu-PF and Zanu-PF is not government. There is a world of difference between a ruling party and government/state. It is common knowledge that a ruling party is one that would have won an election and assumes state power. This is the right or privilege to be in charge of equitable distribution of state resources to all citizens without discrimination. There must never be any confusion between the two.
It does not come as quick surprise that after thirty-five years of misrule Zanu-PF still has to be lectured on the basic tenets of governance. This accounts for the current mess that the country finds itself in. The country is in the hands of people who have no respect for the constitution and constitutionalism. It is the duty of the state and all institutions and agencies of government at every level to endeavour to facilitate development and no artificial barriers or conditionalities should be set for this process. The state owes every citizen development irrespective of their political affiliation.
Zanu-PF has an interesting campaign strategy of insulting people then expect their vote. The statements made by the two Vice Presidents are an insult to the people's intelligence, moreso because these statements were made in Tsholotsho, the heart of Kalanga people who, not so long ago, were insulted by President Mugabe as being uneducated criminals. We have said it before and we will say it again that in the next election, the people of Zimbabwe should not vote for such a myopic party, which cannot countenance competition for political office and wants to treat the country as its private property.
The thread of contradiction in Zanu-PF's campaign messages makes for interesting reading. One group says people in Bulawayo must vote for Zanu-PF so that Matabeleland can become part of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean constitution says this country is a unitary, democratic and sovereign republic. How then does Matabeleland become an outsider in this context? Does this mean that we have been ruled by a government that has made it its business to marginalise some communities? Zanu-PF seems to be creating another group of marginalised people on the basis of their political affiliation. Zanu-PF is not fit to govern and does not deserve anyone's vote. The party and its leadership has clearly become a threat to our sovereignty.
Joshua Mhambi
MDC National Spokesperson
Source - Joshua Mhambi
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