OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ZIM HAVE BETRAYED THE PEOPLE

Opposition Parties Have Betrayed The People Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe especially the various M.D.C formations are a disappointing lot that have continued to let down the people and the struggle for a just, democratic Zimbabwe . Instead of focussing on mobilizing the people on issues affecting them they have continued to major on minor things and in effect have taken opposition politics back to the mid nineties .They have become a micro cosmism of ZANU P.F only that they are a lot weaker since they do not enjoy incumbency and the support of the coercive structures of the state such as the army ,police and intelligence forces .I would like to point out several factors that have weakened the opposition and continue to weaken opposition parties especially the various M.D.C ‘s .The foremost reason why the opposition parties have and will fail is their failure to unite as pointed out by ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa .The fact is the opposition will never win elections unless they form a formidable united front capable of challenging and defeating ZANU P.F . United Front The only way the opposition can unseat ZANU P.F in the next elections is by forming a formidable issue based united democratic front which has segments of progressive breakaway ZANU P.F members and a whole lot of new leaders between the ages of 25 to fifty .This united democratic front should be inclusive including the M.D.C –T ,M.D.C-Renewal ,M.D.C Green ,N.C.A and ZAPU as well as progressive individuals and institutions .I do not agree with many antics of the M.D.C –T including blatant blundering by their leader Morgan Tsvangirai and cases of violence ,intimidation etc within their party but the fact is a united front without Tsvangirai and his party will be very weak . Likewise a United Front without M.D.C Renewal and M.D.C – Green will be very weak because the two parties have rich intellectual capital and political history but questionable grassroots support . ZAPU would be crucial with it’s rich ideology and links with former and current members of the military establishment .No one should come into this united front thinking that they ware or will be the automatic leader because it may be actually be the best idea to choose somebody who is not even leading any of those parties to lead this new coalition so as to do away with all the history and excess baggage . The M.D.C –T has let down the people of Zimbabwe by engaging in an exercise of political suicide by literally donating 21 seats to ZANU P.F after “expelling “21 M.P’s .If the M.D.C – t decides not to contest in the by elections it will be literally donating the seats to ZANU P.F hence betraying the people by failing to defend democratic space that they gained through the 2013 elections . If they participate they will confirm their status as perpetual flip flops and masters of political acrobatics as a party that has no permanent position on anything and everything except being in perpetual opposition to anything and everything .The recalling of the 21 will also adversely affect any chances of a united opposition for the elections much to the joy of ZANU P.F . The U.M.D.C is being affected by small mindedness ,personal interests and in some cases personal ambitions which override capacity .This will lead to a weak and fragmented opposition .Obviously infiltration can never be ruled out as it is expected in politics in any country .To enter into the rough domain of African politics and not expect infiltration would be the height of political naivety hence opposition parties need sound intelligence infrastructure and stratagem built into their systems in order to deal with this ever present threat Representation Age number of opposition members of parliament have been established themselves as Missing Persons [M.P’s ] both in their constituencies and in parliament . Nauseatingly they enjoy being called “honourables”without understanding the first thing about being honourable . May late uncle Sihambile Jeqe Stephen Nkomo was an M.P for over 20 years and i don’t remember him even once wanting to be called honourable unlike this undeserving horde of .M.P’s who have failed to hold constituency feed back meetings for the their constituents to hear their grievances or to give feed back on parliamentary proceedings . Some have failed to visit their constituencies and a vast majority have decided to be virtually non speaking , non acting legislators in parliament . This is unlike the days of Micah Bhebhe ,Sidney Malunga ,Byron Hove ,Edward Ndlovu and Lazaruzas Nzarayabani who gave ministers a tough time in parliament even though there were only one or two news outlets at the time .There are exceptions of course like Jesse Majome and few others but most of the others have failed to represent the people in parliament . With the advent of Information Communication Technology one would have thought opposition members of parliament would take advantage of Twitter and Face book to engage their constituents but alas they are waiting for the next elections before they open Face book pages and Vote so and so Twitter accounts .Those who are active in social media expend their energy on internal character assassination ,petty fights amongst themselves and social media subsidized ego trips .Our opposition political parties have failed to resonate with issues affecting ordinary people and have failed dismally to take advantage of factionalism within ZANU P.F and instead they continue to disintegrate like amoebas or is it replicate . Unlike in South Africa ,the United States and the United Kingdom where politicians actively contribute their views on pertinent issues in newspaper columns so that people understand their policies and perspectives most of out opposition politicians seem to unable or unwilling or unable and unwilling to engage these mediums .It was therefore pleasing to see Moses Mzila Ndlovu writing on the Maleme issue in a local paper .Others that have done well in this regard include David Coltart ,Eddie Cross ,Nhlanhla Ncube and Obert Gutu . The times have changed and we need leaders that can engage the public on issues by taking their ideas onto public platforms .

Dumisani O Nkomo: Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS

Dumisani O Nkomo: Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS: Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS : STOP THE UNIFORMED HIGHWAY ROBBERS The number of roadblocks and policeman on the roads is just ...

Opposition Parties Have Betrayed The People Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe especially the various M.D.C formations are a disappointing lot that have continued to let down the people and the struggle for a just, democratic Zimbabwe . Instead of focussing on mobilizing the people on issues affecting them they have continued to major on minor things and in effect have taken opposition politics back to the mid nineties .They have become a micro cosmism of ZANU P.F only that they are a lot weaker since they do not enjoy incumbency and the support of the coercive structures of the state such as the army ,police and intelligence forces .I would like to point out several factors that have weakened the opposition and continue to weaken opposition parties especially the various M.D.C ‘s .The foremost reason why the opposition parties have and will fail is their failure to unite as pointed out by ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa .The fact is the opposition will never win elections unless they form a formidable united front capable of challenging and defeating ZANU P.F . United Front The only way the opposition can unseat ZANU P.F in the next elections is by forming a formidable issue based united democratic front which has segments of progressive breakaway ZANU P.F members and a whole lot of new leaders between the ages of 25 to fifty .This united democratic front should be inclusive including the M.D.C –T ,M.D.C-Renewal ,M.D.C Green ,N.C.A and ZAPU as well as progressive individuals and institutions .I do not agree with many antics of the M.D.C –T including blatant blundering by their leader Morgan Tsvangirai and cases of violence ,intimidation etc within their party but the fact is a united front without Tsvangirai and his party will be very weak . Likewise a United Front without M.D.C Renewal and M.D.C – Green will be very weak because the two parties have rich intellectual capital and political history but questionable grassroots support . ZAPU would be crucial with it’s rich ideology and links with former and current members of the military establishment .No one should come into this united front thinking that they ware or will be the automatic leader because it may be actually be the best idea to choose somebody who is not even leading any of those parties to lead this new coalition so as to do away with all the history and excess baggage . The M.D.C –T has let down the people of Zimbabwe by engaging in an exercise of political suicide by literally donating 21 seats to ZANU P.F after “expelling “21 M.P’s .If the M.D.C – t decides not to contest in the by elections it will be literally donating the seats to ZANU P.F hence betraying the people by failing to defend democratic space that they gained through the 2013 elections . If they participate they will confirm their status as perpetual flip flops and masters of political acrobatics as a party that has no permanent position on anything and everything except being in perpetual opposition to anything and everything .The recalling of the 21 will also adversely affect any chances of a united opposition for the elections much to the joy of ZANU P.F . The U.M.D.C is being affected by small mindedness ,personal interests and in some cases personal ambitions which override capacity .This will lead to a weak and fragmented opposition .Obviously infiltration can never be ruled out as it is expected in politics in any country .To enter into the rough domain of African politics and not expect infiltration would be the height of political naivety hence opposition parties need sound intelligence infrastructure and stratagem built into their systems in order to deal with this ever present threat Representation Age number of opposition members of parliament have been established themselves as Missing Persons [M.P’s ] both in their constituencies and in parliament . Nauseatingly they enjoy being called “honourables”without understanding the first thing about being honourable . May late uncle Sihambile Jeqe Stephen Nkomo was an M.P for over 20 years and i don’t remember him even once wanting to be called honourable unlike this undeserving horde of .M.P’s who have failed to hold constituency feed back meetings for the their constituents to hear their grievances or to give feed back on parliamentary proceedings . Some have failed to visit their constituencies and a vast majority have decided to be virtually non speaking , non acting legislators in parliament . This is unlike the days of Micah Bhebhe ,Sidney Malunga ,Byron Hove ,Edward Ndlovu and Lazaruzas Nzarayabani who gave ministers a tough time in parliament even though there were only one or two news outlets at the time .There are exceptions of course like Jesse Majome and few others but most of the others have failed to represent the people in parliament . With the advent of Information Communication Technology one would have thought opposition members of parliament would take advantage of Twitter and Face book to engage their constituents but alas they are waiting for the next elections before they open Face book pages and Vote so and so Twitter accounts .Those who are active in social media expend their energy on internal character assassination ,petty fights amongst themselves and social media subsidized ego trips .Our opposition political parties have failed to resonate with issues affecting ordinary people and have failed dismally to take advantage of factionalism within ZANU P.F and instead they continue to disintegrate like amoebas or is it replicate . Unlike in South Africa ,the United States and the United Kingdom where politicians actively contribute their views on pertinent issues in newspaper columns so that people understand their policies and perspectives most of out opposition politicians seem to unable or unwilling or unable and unwilling to engage these mediums .It was therefore pleasing to see Moses Mzila Ndlovu writing on the Maleme issue in a local paper .Others that have done well in this regard include David Coltart ,Eddie Cross ,Nhlanhla Ncube and Obert Gutu . The times have changed and we need leaders that can engage the public on issues by taking their ideas onto public platforms .

Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS

Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS: STOP THE UNIFORMED HIGHWAY ROBBERS The number of roadblocks and policeman on the roads is just not acceptable for a country that is not at w...

STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS

STOP THE UNIFORMED HIGHWAY ROBBERS The number of roadblocks and policeman on the roads is just not acceptable for a country that is not at war [at least we hope the police are not at war with us the citizens ] and some of the actions of the traffic policemen are reminiscent of the actions of the legendary highway robbers that terrorized residents of Victorian England . Today motorists and passengers in Zimbabwe are not terrorized by masked robbers armed with swords or rifles but uniformed and at times uninformed police officers who are more common than traffic lights .Some places such as 12 the avenue and Hillside in Bulawayo now have permanent roadblocks manned by at least four government departments including the local municipality . Whilst it is acceptable that the police have to carry out their constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order on the roads the Zimbabwean scenario is now just unacceptable and tantamount to modern day highway robbery carried out in the guise of enforcing traffic regulations whilst actually siphoning increasingly poor motorists with endless spot fines .The actions of the police have attracted the attention of senior public officials such as Justice Francis Bere and Vice President Emmerson Mnangwagwa who have spoken out against this expression of obscenity by a component of state apparatus which is supposed to be the depository of public confidence and security .In his address to the 2015 Masvingo Legal Year Justice Bere described the practise of spot fines and confiscation of vehicles [popularly called confistication by police officers] as illegal citing section 356 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act .Quite clearly the police now see cash strapped and stressed motorists as a source of revenue to finance either the activities of the police or to line the pockets of a cabal of corrupt police officers whilst milking the fiscus of much needed revenue .The practise of spot fines whist administratively noble is not sufficiently legal as it has occasioned the official abuse of Zimbabweans who are subjected to endless roadblocks and fines .It is actually an open secret that some motorists have resorted to bribing their way through roadblocks and in essence roadblocks have become the seedbed of corruption . Financial Probity and Stewardship The public has a right to know how much of these spot fines are collected every month and whether or not they are deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund as espoused in section 302 of the Zimbabwean Constitution which states that : There s is a Consolidated Revenue Fund into which must be paid all fees ,taxes and borrowings and all other revenue of the Government whatever their source ,unless an Act of Parliament provides otherwise . The scourge of corruption has made the practise of spot fines at variance with the norms of good Financial Management which should is provided for in section 298 [d] of the Zimbabwean constitution . It is in this context that i propose that the Police should embark upon a programme of educating motorists about various laws governing them including but not limited to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act ,the Road Traffic Act and relevant statutory instruments . The current ambush antics of the police who are quick to quote sections of the law to clueless motorists is not acceptable in a modern democracy .In this age of the internet it should be possible for the Police to have interactive Face book and Twitter accounts to share such information or even use applications such as Whats App to inform the motoring public about their obligations .I also propose that the Auditor General carries out an audit of Zimbabwe Republic Police specifically focussing on Spot Fines as a revenue collecting tool vis a vis good corporate governance . In the long term the police should consider investing in cameras and other surveillance equipment as in the case in other countries .This will increase efficiency and reduce corruption on the roads . The development of a virtual electronic system that can track deviant motorist should be in the 10 year strategy plan of the police to ensure technologically compliant policing . In short however there are just too many roadblocks in Zimbabwe and too many traffic policemen and this has become outright harassment of ordinary citizens

will zanu p.f cope without mugabe

HOW WILL ZANU P.F AND OPPOSSITION COPE WITHOUT NONAGERIAN MUGABE President Mugabe this year celebrates his 91 st birthday amidst unmitigated praise singing and an unprecedented bootlicking scramble from his political acolytes alongside desperate political party pilgrims desperate to pay homage to their Nonagenarian leader at the temple of a modern day Gerontocracy[rule of the elderly ]. What is of great concern however to any responsible citizen is what will happen if and when inevitably due to natural attrition ,biological inevitability and the call of divinity the President is unable to continue with his journey in life . At the age of 91 such a possibility inevitably increases by the day and any institution or political party which ignores this reality is oblivious and impervious to both reason and wisdom . Whilst in our culture it is taboo to talk about issues of death in regards to the living in the case of a country ruled by a Nonagenarian such thoughts and debates are critical not only in terms of succession planning but also in terms of futuristic planning and scenario management . It is as a clear as the sky that there is no unanimity about Emerson Mnangwaga being the “anointed successor “of Robert Mugabe as stated by Jonathan Moyo who argued that the Vice President was not “anointed but appointed” . The fight for succession is far from over and importantly the death or demise of Mugabe could trigger a crisis not only in ZANU P.F but also in the opposition. The demise or death of Mugabe could leave the opposition in shambles as for years the departure of Mugabe has been a rallying call and when this finally happens outside the confines of electoral processes but due to natural and inevitable natural processes the opposition will be left without a clarion call or rallying point since Mugabe would have gone . This would be more problematic for the opposition if he is replaced by a younger ,reform minded individual as this would render the opposition irrelevant . The continued existence and presence of Mugabe on the political scene has thus been oxymoronic for them since he has created a groundswell of popular sentiment against himself but at the same time his presence seems to have gelled ZANU P.F together and none of the factions are capable of removing him whilst he is still alive .His demise could however also be the demise of the fractious ZANU P.F which has only survived because of four factors namely : 1.Backing of the military and other state security apparatus 2.The existence of a strong dictatorial nationalist figure epitomizing the liberation struggle [ Mugabe ]. 3.Incumbency 4.Brute force – through coercive legislation . ZANU P.F in spite of all its structures and liberation ideology is likely to crumble into fragments once Mugabe goes as this could also mean the collapse of an entire patronage system and the re emergence of old and new camps .It is already clear that those who are purported to be in vice president Mnangwagwa’s camp were or are united more for their desire to eliminate Mujuru from the political scene rather than mere friendship . Machiavellian politics is driven by interests not friendship . It is quite possible and probable that once Mugabe goes some in that some will attempt to torpedo the Ngwena from that post [Mnangwagwa ] from within the Mnangwagwa camp ] .Joyce Mujury is not totally finished as she still has a sizeable number of Members of Parliament that are in her camp and if the next president is then chosen by the party which has the majority number of seats in parliament and if then this is left to parliament to vote Mujuru still has a chance to emerge as a presidential hopeful assuming that it is not the Politburo which will do that .This is only possible technically but practically and politically the party and the government according to ZANU P.F are one . Complications will arise upon Mugabe’s demise because the party will no longer have a central rallying figure who was/is able to glue the party together either by virtue of age or through playing the factions against each other in order to remain relevant .The hate speech which ZANU P.F factions have been using against each other is likely to then translate into open conflict which may have direct consequences on national stability .Sections of the military may choose to openly associate or back one faction or the other a situation which is untenable at the moment with Mugabe being alive .. On the other hand it is possible but unlikely that there will be a smooth transition with a new leader possibly Mnangwagwa being elected as president from within ZANU P.F but if this happens the Mujuru faction may join forces with the opposition either covertly or overtly and challenge ZANU P.F in 2018 . If his happens Emmerson Mnangwagwa may win the battle for succession in the short term but in the long term lose the 20 18 elections . Mayibuye !

Does Electoral Democracy Work In Africa

DOES ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY WORK ? I regard myself as a proponent and advocate of democracy but i strongly believe that we need to interrogate the very concept of democracy ,its applicability and more importantly its evolution especially in African societies and specifically in Zimbabwe .This is critical because modern democracy evolved from ancient Greek civilization and metamorphosed over centuries in Europe in the form of parliamentary democracy and then the Americas through constitutional democracy , .Importantly not only did it metamorphose over centuries but democracy is also dependent on other key factors without which it becomes a facade or a political ritual carried out with religious fervour but with disappointing returns or dividends . Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg speech famously remarked that a “government of the people , by the people ,from the people will not perish “and in some contexts this has been used a definition of democracy – a government of the people , by the people , from the people .In spite of this the Americans still had to undergo almost a century of political evolution before civil rights could be granted to black people .This was centuries after the Emancipation Proclamation which in effect supposedly ended slavery and the American Declaration of Independence which eloquently declared “we declare that all people are created equal “ . In spite of all these pronouncements and edicts America was not really democratized for centuries afterwards and it took the likes of Dr Martin Luther King Junior ,Rosa Parks ,the Black Panthers , Malcolm X and much later on Reverend Jesse Jackson to challenge the system in order for democraticization to take place . Typically democracy is epitomized by regular , free and fair elections , a free media ,a good constitution and constitutionalism ,respect for fundamental freedoms and citizen participation in decision-making .I will not attempt to make a wholesale analysis of democracy in this instalment as this would require broader and deeper academic combat .However i am deeply concerned at what we term electoral democracy for a number of reasons . Assuming that an election is free and fair and nobody is beaten ,threatened or killed but totally useless people are elected does this make the whole process successful ? In the first place do people have all the required information about the process ,the political parties and the individuals they are voting for ? . I would like to argue that in the Zimbabwean context people’s choices are limited by lack of robust debate ,a free press [more specifically the broadcast media ]. At the level of political parties primary elections are dominated by internal and eternal rigging ,characterized by bussing of voters ,manipulation of the voters rolls ,voter buying and candidate imposition .There is very little debate on the quality of candidates and what they have to offer but a lot depends on patronage networks within the parties both ruling and opposition . Quality candidates are thus sidelined at this level as the toughest “gangsters “are the ones that make it to the top and not necessarily the best brains or the best or most suitable candidates .These candidates then represent their parties in national elections and contest against other thugs from other parties and the result is all too familiar opportunists ,kleptocracts win elections and carry on with their trade in official public positions disappointingly to the shock of the electorate . At the end of the day elections in Africa especially in Zimbabwe are not a contest of ideas but a contest of “fists “as even President Robert Mugabe admitted . How do you explain that some of the best achieving members of parliament such as David Coltart were beaten in elections and the majority of those elected have distinguished themselves by their deafening silence .There are quality people on either side of the political divide but unfortunately they have fallen victim to gangster politics or a politically intoxicated environment which has little room for ideas and plenty of room for hot air and sloganeering . Until such a time that we have free debate , free movement of ideas and ideas we will continue with this facade of elections were those with the capacity to outmuscle opponents are elected at the expense of quality leaders imbued with vision , courage ,selflessness and innovation . Electoral democracy should work well in a context were there is freedom of speech , freedom of association , a robust media ,internal party democracy [ whatever that is] and above all an understanding that elections are contests of ideas not a platform for the clueless .There just too many followers that are leading and too many leaders that are following in Zimbabwe because of the emphasis on the primitive politics of patronage ,hate and partisanship .Quality leadership is not necessarily about academic qualifications but craft competence ,social enterprise ,vision and a willingness to serve people rather than be served by them . Our biggest tragedy in Africa is that we pay scant attention to the policy blueprints [manifestoes ] of political parties and the credentials of candidates in terms of what they can offer and instead just vote blindly in a political ritual we call elections as part of what we ignorantly call democracy . Mayibuye !