ZimPF creating its own demise

The recent claims by members of Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) that ZANU-PF supporters were behind besiegement of their party leader, Joice Mujuru's house in Highlands last week clearly depicts blatant lies by some sections of the media and a game of mud splashing by the embattled opposition party.

While other local private newspapers had been correctly and objectively reporting that some ZimPF supporters were demonstrating against their officials who were blocking them from meeting their elusive leader, Mujuru, one of private press was busy setting its agenda that ZANU-PF supporters were besieging Mujuru' s house.  

ZimPF and its mouthpiece should stop playing the blame game. Reports of what transpired at Mujuru's house clearly indicate that Zim-PF is a disorganized party. Reportedly quoted in the NewsDay, ZimPF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo could not hide the confusion in his party but he was positive to say that all was not well in ZimPF. Recently, a vote of no confidence was passed to that party's Bulawayo provincial co-ordinator Esnath Bulayani by the province's interim provincial working committee. Such moves depicts that the issue of positions in that party is a burning issue which may prove to be its waterloo even before becoming a fully-fledged party.

ZANU-PF spokesperson, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo prudently said that ZimPF should stop blaming other political parties for their disorderliness. Why would they want to tarnish the good image of the revolutionary party?

Also, some reports are saying presently Mujuru is up in arms with Didymus Mutasa. Previously, it was highlighted that Mutasa and Gumbo were not pleased with party positions they were given as party elders. On the other hand Zim-PF Masvingo interim provisional co-ordinator, retired Colonel Claudius Makova noted that in Zim-PF people who are above 70 years should be satisfied with performing an advisory role. He uttered these sentiments while addressing supporters at a rally in Gutu South.  However, Makova's sentiments differ with what Gumbo and Mutasa's expectations. These two men have high hopes that there will be part and parcel of Zim-PF top brass. These and other inconsistencies within Zim-PF are strongly contributing to the demise of that party.

The continued fissures that are being noticed only three months after the launch of that opposition party is a clear-cut indication that Zim-PF will not go the distance. If ZimPF officials continue to engage in these tussles in these early stages then they have no-one to blame but themselves because the writing is already on the wall, the beleaguered party is destined for self-destruction.

Who would want to be associated with a political party that is full of fissures?

Generally, there are many factors that cause misunderstandings within political parties. These include leadership fight, scarcity of ideology, absence of internal democracy as well as desperation for power. As it stands, almost everyone in Zim-PF needs to be recognized hence seeking relevance.

Truth be said, ZimPF is a party full of political rejects who were booted from their former parties one would not expect much from these misfits than fights which have already taken hold of the party. This could mean that the persistent intra party conflicts that are coming in various magnitudes and intensities will be the trademark of Zim-PF. The diverse views among party members in ZimPF may likely develop into factions within that party.

As we speak, there is divided loyalty among party members in that opposition party. Some of the party members in Zim-PF classify themselves as elites, who are close to Mujuru. No wonder why party members were demonstrating against Sylvester Nguni, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Gumbo and Bright Matonga at Mujuru's house. The act of barring party members from meeting their leader shows that there is no democracy prevailing in Zim-PF. Non inclusion of party members in the affairs of the party can destabilize it.

People should be free to air their views to their leader. Why should the so-called ‘top officials' in that party ban other members from interfacing with their leader? Is there anything that they are hiding and to what end? Party officials should be transparent in how they operate party business. Ordinary party cadres have a right to know what their Mujuru is planning seeing that she remains in hibernation or self-imposed exile as some may what to put it.