Dzamara's prayer meeting a ruse

Opposition political parties and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country are a surprising lot. Its welcome for everyone to be concerned about the disappearance of Itai Dzamara and  even commendable to pray for his immediate release by his abductors, but the "prayer meeting" being mooted by some opposition political parties and their associates is just another opposition political rally if past experience is anything to go by.

Having such a prayer meeting for Dzamara to be brought back is not a problem but the composition of the attendees is telling. These opposition political parties who are in the forefront of organising such a prayer meeting have never been known to do anything that does not benefit themselves and everyone knows that the regime change agenda is always at the upmost of their activities. Why it is there is sudden concern for Dzamara when institutions like the European Union noises about Dzamara have increased. Is it not the case of these civil societies and opposition political parties have been reprimanded by their paymasters for not doing anything and this event is just one of those events where people are trying to justify their existence?

The chosen venue itself does not inspire confidence that this is a real "prayer meeting". Zimbabwe Grounds is a well known venue for holding political meetings/gatherings by the opposition MDC and many such "prayer meeting" have been held at this venue and past experience has shown that these have turned out to be campaign events for MDC in its bid to remove the Zanu PF government from power. People should be aware that political and religious gatherings should not be intertwined as this could dilute the essence of having such a prayer meeting to bring Dzamara back.

Why is it religious institutions are not part of this affair if it is genuine.  It is surprising to have leaders of some known political parties promising that they would be part and parcel of the prayer meeting yet the same people do not know even a single door of any church in the country. Some of them are known for their immoral activities, is it not that God hears prayers of those who are sincere and repentant, elements that these leaders do not have and can't acquire in the near future judging from their actions. All this point to one thing " the prayer meeting" has  wholly different agenda that what meet the eye.

If a genuine prayer meeting was being shouldn't some pastors of different churches be taking an active role on such an action. Getting people like Morgan Tsvangirai MDC-T leader, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, NCA leader, Didymus Mutasa, a Mujuru cabal self-appointed spokesperson and a host of those in opposition to the government taking part in such a prayer meeting becomes suspicious. Pastors and leaders of different church denominations should be the ones in the forefront of organising such prayer meetings so that everything becomes holy. Political leaders must concentrate more on politics and let religious leaders do what is required of them.

The prayer meeting seem to be a way of pressuring government as some have already concluded that it is responsible for Dzamara' disappearance though this without proof. Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa made it clear in parliament some few weeks ago that government was making every effort available to make sure that Itai Dzamara is found and his abductors are brought to book.

The problem with the opposition political leaders is that whatever happens in the country harming the people is only thought to have been done by government. People are not aware that in the case of Dzamara it could have been the work of the opposition political parties who made him disappear in the hope that Zimbabwe would be put in the international limelight so that sanctions remain in place. It is known that if sanctions remain in place people would keep on suffering economically giving hope to the opposition that they would get support from people.

So it is wrong for the people to point fingers to the government on the disappearance of Dzamara yet the same government is also concerned by availing resources to ZRP in a bid to solve the mystery surrounding Dzamara's disappearance. The disappearance of Dzamara is a concern for the whole country and surprisingly people like Ibbo Mandaza also wants people to think that the government is behind the disappearance of Dzamara. Mandaza is wrong to think that if the media keep on making noise about the disappearance of Dzamara then government would explain Dzamara's whereabouts. Such a conclusion from an educated person in the mould of Dr Ibbo Mandaza needs to be corrected. In actual fact Dr Mandaza should use his educational achievement and experience to help government on how to track the abductors of Itai Dzamara.

Making noise through the media about the disappearance of Dzamara would not help solve the case but is anyone has information which might the police in their investigations is most welcomed.  As of now there is no need to point fingers at government as culprit on the disappearance of Dzamara when it is doing everything in its power to have the man returned to his family.

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John Mukumbo <mukumbojohn@yahoo.com