Monday 1 August 2022

SA promise hard diplomacy against Zanu PF – sweet music after decades of sell-out diplomacy W Mukori

 

Action SA promises “hard” diplomacy against Zanu PF to end the crisis in Zimbabwe.

“My fellow South Africans across our border. For years our government have watched whilst Zanu PF destroyed the country once capable of feeding much of Southern Africa. This crisis affects our country deeply,” said Herman Mashaba. He is the former Mayor of Johannesburg and leader of the political party Action SA.

“It is now time for a new approach. It is time for hard diplomacy. We must adopt the strongest and harshest policies against an oppressive government and not punish the people of Zimbabwe.

“This should start by freezing the assets of Zanu PF leaders in South Africa and banning them from entering our country!”

This is sweet music to every thinking Zimbabwean out there. There is no denying that South Africa’s ruling ANC governing party’s “quite diplomacy” of 1994 to 2013 followed by the “sell-out” policy, for that is exactly what it is, thereafter, have helped Zanu PF stay in power at the expense of the ordinary Zimbabweans.

Ever since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Zanu PF rigged the elections denying the people their basic freedoms and rights including the right to free and fair elections - most fundament right and prerequisite of good governance. The AU and Sadc have turned a blind eye and endorsed the rigged elections as “substantially free and fair” giving Zanu PF political legitimacy.

Only once, in 2008 after Zanu PF had blatantly cheated and used wanton violence did Sadc and AU refuse to endorse Zanu PF’s rigged elections. Sadc, pressured Zanu PF to agree to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) which was then tasked to implement the democratic reforms and restore the rule of law and good governance.

Sadly, the MDC led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai failed to implement even one token reform in five years of the GNU. Sadc leaders, notably South Africa’s Minister Lindiwe Zulu, representing Sadc who were the guarantor of the GNU, did their best to remind MDC to implement the reforms but were ignored.

In a last-minute bid to get the reforms implemented, Sadc leaders literally begged MDC leaders not to participate in the 2013 Zimbabwe elections without first implementing the reforms. “If you participate in the elections next month, you will lose. The elections are done!” they warned.

Yet again, Tsvangirai and company ignored the warning and participated in the elections. As expected, Zanu PF blatantly rigged the election. And, in a shocking and shameless volte-face, Sadc endorsed the elections as “substantially free and fair” which they had condemned as “done” (rigged) only the previous month.

The political consequences of Sadc endorsing the Zanu PF rigged elections is giving the regime legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship. Zimbabwe has been stuck with this corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship for 42 years and counting with the tragic political economic and social consequences there for all to see.

Zanu PF misrule has pushed Zimbabwe to the very edge of the precipitous abyss. Another rigged election and another term of this corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship might well push the nation over the edge. There is a real danger that Zimbabwe will drag many other nations down the abyss with her!

Without even one token reform implement since the rigged 2013 and 2018 elections, it is already clear that Zanu PF is blatantly rigging the 2023 elections. What everyone is waiting to see is whether Sadc will pursue their sell-out policy of endorsing rigged elections and give Zanu PF legitimacy, especially South Africa, Botswana and Zambia who have a history of holding free and fair elections themselves; and thus by the hand giving Zimbabwe the final push over the edge!

There is no denying that Sadc’s sell-out policy of endorsement Zanu PF rigged elections has been at the heart of the regime’s contemptuous disregard of the people’s democratic wish for good governance. It is the ordinary Zimbabweans who have paid dearly for this folly. It is time to stop the sell-out. It is time for hardnosed diplomacy!

6 comments:

  1. It is not clear why the CCC leader encouraged his followers to 'faka pressure.'

    Exiled former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo responded on Twitter by asking what Faka pressure means.

    Said Moyo on Twitter, "FAKA PRESSURE. What does it mean?"

    What is worrying for me is the fact that Chamisa and company are going steam ahead with their participation in the 2023 elections regardless of all the evidence Zanu PF is blatantly rigging these elections. In the recent by elections there was evidence of blatant vote rigging or be it low level with all the certainty it will go into overdrive.

    Sadc, EU, IMF, etc have all argued on the need to implement reforms to stop a repeat of the rigged elections of the past. Chamisa et al are not only ignoring the calls but are posturing “faka pressure” as if they are the ones who have Zanu PF on the ropes and under pressure!
    CCC are hell bent on dragging the nation into yet another rigged elections, give Sadc the feeble excuse to endorse the Zanu PF rigged elections and give the party legitimacy. Chamisa and a few of his close friends will win the few urban gravy train seats Zanu PF is offering to entice opposition participation. This is all CCC leaders care about.

    MDC/CCC have failed to implement even one democratic reform in 22 years. They will never implement any and the sooner the people finally wake up to this reality the sooner they can start the search for competent leaders or they will never get out of this mess!

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  2. ON this day four years ago, security forces fired on Harare residents in the central business district (CBD) following post-election protests after delays by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in announcing presidential poll results.

    Soldiers and anti-riot police were implicated in the scandal which also resulted in serious injuries to dozens more.

    The six victims were identified as Challenge Tauro (20) Jealous Chikandira (21) Brian Zhuwawo (26) Ishmael Kumire (41) Gavin-Dean Charles (45) Sylvia Maphosa (53).

    Following public outcry and demands for justice from the international community, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed a commission to investigate the issue, chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe; the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry.

    The 2018 elections should have not gone ahead without first implementing the reforms to end Zanu PF culture of violence and vote rigging. They went ahead because of MDC greed the same greed that stopped them implementing reforms even when they had the golden opportunity to do so during the GNU.

    Chamisa and company are dragging the nation into yet another election process which Zanu PF is rigging and the wanton violence is on the increase, more innocent blood will be lost. No doubt CCC leaders will shed more buckets of crocodile tears! When will the madness end?

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  3. "Considering dropping my name in the hat. We need to fight corruption aggressively. We need to fight for reforms. We need to hold @MthuliNcube and Mangudya accountable for their failures!!!,” said Ngarivhume.

    Quizzed by Twitter users to explain his move, Ngarivhume said he is in disagreement with CCC’s lack of action arguing that Zimbabwe needs an alternative with a more active approach.

    “I have supported @CCCZimbabwe since its inception. But I disagree with the lack of action. I realize now that I cannot criticize them into action. That’s why I need to be the alternative for those who want a more active approach. God bless!!!,” added Ngarivhume.

    Hold Zanu PF to account! How? You lot have no clue what you are doing, you are just blundering from pillar to post. You insisted in participating in the 2018 elections knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging the elections to give itself 2/3 majority in parliament plus the presidency. You knew that by participating you will give Zanu PF legitimacy and Zanu PF enticed you to participate by offering a few urban gravy train seats.

    Zanu PF has 2/3 majority and legitimacy thanks to your stupidity and greed. It is nonsense to keep wittering about holding the regime to account!

    Ngarivhume, like everyone else in the opposition camp, is hell bent on participating in the 2023 elections regardless of the certainty Zanu PF is rigging the elections and that participating will give Zanu PF legitimacy. He knows the bait gravy train seats are up for grabs and that is all he and the rest care about.

    Ngarivhume knows that the competition amongst the opposition members for the few urban seats is fierce and all this call for action is just posturing to position himself in the rat race.

    “Want a more active approach!” Yeah right! What good has MDC selling out on reforms done other than keep Zanu PF in power and thus perpetuating the dictatorship?

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  4. @ GreenBomber
    "You are talking about an election that has not been declared. And why would I even react because I do not know the results that will be announced?" Chamisa said

    "It was very stupid, even, for people who demonstrated… it was stupid, because they then opened themselves for attacks and manipulation," he told journalists. "I think whoever demonstrated - it was their right, but I feel it was not called for."

    So smart of Chamisa to remember the shooting victims in time for the elections

    It is very sad and tragic that MDC/CCC have wasted the opportunity to end the Zanu PF dictatorship and are now pontificating about the consequence of the dictatorship as if they care!

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  5. On Tuesday morning President Chamisa predicted resounding victory for citizens.
    According to the CCC leader, Zanu PF will be shocked beyond belief in 2023.

    “Authenticity is a quality created out of consistency and dependability.
    Winners are not whiners. Love and light fellow citizens. Blessed day #FakaPressure #Godisinit
    We’re winning Big and with a landslide! Mark this tweet.”

    “MDC has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” Chamisa boasted before the 2018 elections. Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2018 elections.

    And we are once again being dragged into yet another election process without implementing even one token reform to counter all the evidence that Zanu PF is once again blatantly rigging these elections. We are expected to believe CCC will have a landslide victory because Chamisa said so.

    Why are we participating in elections which everyone else is saying we should not until we implement reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. “God is in it!” But isn’t there a passage in the Bible saying we should not put God to the test? By deliberately choosing to participate in flawed and illegal elections and expecting God to deliver victory for us regardless, is this not putting God to the test?

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  6. Kenya's economic output has more than doubled during President Uhuru Kenyatta's 10 years in office, but a debt binge that fuelled growth and investment could cramp his successor's ability to tackle growing hunger and soaring prices.
    Some 22 million voters will pick a new president, lawmakers and county officials on Aug. 9. The election is being overshadowed by a drought that has left 4 million people dependent on food aid while Russia's invasion of Ukraine drives up global grain and fuel prices.
    Kenya's economy is now Africa's sixth biggest, up from 13th when Kenyatta took power in April 2013. Annual growth averaging 3.8% over nine years has boosted gross domestic product to 11 trillion shillings ($92.75 billion) from under 5 trillion.
    A close Western ally, East Africa's most stable country also hosts the regional headquarters of international firms like Alphabet Inc and Visa.
    Debt levels have surged, however, to 9 trillion shillings, or 67% of GDP, from just 2 trillion, or 40% of GDP, when Kenyatta was elected.
    "The increase in debt has been alarmingly fast," said Robert Shaw, an independent economic policy analyst based in Nairobi.
    Kenyatta, who must stand down after serving two terms, says borrowing - including $8 billion from China - funded much-needed infrastructure and helped spur development.
    His government has modernised Kenya's crumbling, century-old railway network and built more kilometres of paved roads than the previous four administrations combined - over 10,000, Kenyatta told parliament in November.
    Full marks to outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta doubling Kenya’s GPD in ten years is a great achievement. One hopes that talks of hamstringing his successor with a mountain debt will not come true. The curse of boom – bust is one to be avoided if at all possible!

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