There are "Varakashi4ED" in social media and everywhere else. Fear rules the roost! How did we come to this? W Mukori

 “Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is increasingly relying on coordinated social media campaigns to silence dissent, with a particular focus on women activists and opposition voices. These online operatives, widely known as "Varakashi4ED" (meaning “destroyers for Emmerson Dambudzo (ED) Mnangagwa“ in Shona), use anonymous and fake accounts primarily on the platform X (formerly Twitter) to mock, delegitimize, and threaten those who challenge the government,” reported Bulawayo 24.

“Allegations have surfaced implicating senior government figures, including President Mnangagwa's spokesperson George Charamba, in managing or supporting these toxic ghost accounts. Activists warn that these campaigns are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic strategy funded with taxpayers' money to suppress political opposition and stifle freedom of expression.”

If the truth be said - and it must be said now more than even or we will all be silenced - this comes as no surprise. 

Mnangagwa is a ruthless thug who has stopped at nothing to get what he wants - absolute power. After 45 years at the pinnacle of political power and all the influence and wealth that power with no accountability brings he has become addicted to it and hungers to stay on. His arrogance and ruthlessness have increased over the years to match his increased power. He is determination to stay on at all costs.

The 2023 Aljazeera Gold Mafia documentary revealed how 80% of Zimbabwe’s US$2 billion per year gold mining was being smuggled and President Mnangagwa was named as the godfather at the heart of it all. The wholesale looting is taking place in other areas too such as diamond, lithium, platinum and other minerals. Government contracts such as the supply of 2023 ZEC election materials to Wicknell Chivhayo have become another conduit for looting. He gets a cut in all these activities!

Mnangagwa is filthy rich and he has channeled some of the looted wealth to pay for the military style operations whose primary purpose is to make sure he retains an iron grip on political power at all costs. 

Mnangagwa must have spend US$5 billion, at least, to secure the presidency in the 2023 elections. He bought chicken and chips for the hired povo bused from one rally to the next, bought cars for chief and church leaders, MPs, judges and ministers received US$ 40k, 400k and 500k “housing loans” respectively. 

As soon as he secured the 2023 presidency, work started on making sure he stayed beyond the 2028, beyond the maximum two term stipulated in the constitution.  Many Zanu PF leaders objected to this but by the time the party held its conference in December 2024, they had all been whipped into line. The conference passed a resolution that Mnangagwa must stay in office till 2030. 

In January 2025, Blessed Geza and a few fellow war veterans resurrected the objection to Mnangagwa staying in power beyond 2028. The next six months saw Mnangagwa implement one initiative after another to improve the lives of war veterans and buy their support. Many of the war veterans received one or more of the following gifts bicycle, car, new house equipped with solar power and borehole water, financial assistance from a presidential revolving fund, etc., etc.

“Have the war veterans who were given houses received the title deeds to the house and the land?” I asked one Zanu PF crony. 

“Saviour Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo and many others had title deeds to their large mansions and farms; they left them in a huff!” she answered. 

“Forget about the Social Media Varakashi4ED, they are harmless. Mnangagwa has battalions of Varakashi4ED, spies and killers, everywhere.

“Mnangagwa is not clever, he is a buffoon, and he who knows that and this makes he fearful and suspicious of every one. When he is not sure of anything he instinctively reaches for the gun - brute force, his strength.

In Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe, everyone is a potential threat to his singular goal to stay in power and, when the time comes, to pass the baton to his chosen successor. Fear rules the land!” She concluded with dread and hopelessness. 

There are Varakashi4ED everywhere! Destroyers4ED! How have we come to this?

The US$40k, US$400k, etc. housing loans to MPs, judges, etc. were bribes to be repaid in kind not cash. W Mukori

 MPs fail to pay back dodgy loans

Harare, July 29– Zimbabwe’s Parliamentarians have failed to pay back over US$76.5 million 2023 loan advanced to them in an opaque deal that has exposed the lawmakers to scrutiny. 

Failure to payback the loans was flagged by the Auditor General who uncovered a shocking financial breach revealing that parliamentarians, constitutionally mandated to hold the government accountable, have allegedly plundered public funds by pocketing the said millions and are yet to pay back.

The deal, the report shows, were deliberately left incomplete—no repayment deadlines, no instalment amounts—effectively turning taxpayer money into free cash for MPs. 

This is not a surprise, everyone knew that the US$40 000, US$ 400 000 and US$ 500 000 housing loans to MPs, judges and ministers respectively were bribes to buy their help Mnangagwa rigging the2023 elections. The recipients  knew this was a bribe and accepted the gift in the same spirit; they did not ask for the loan and knew they were expected to repay the loan in kind and not cash!

"Are you surprised Chamisa has remained popular even after sabbatical?" Surprised, NO! Disappointed< very much so! W Mukori

 "Are you surprised that Nelson Chamisa came back from his year long Sabbatical leave and is more popular than ever?"

Surprised - NO!

Disappointed - YES!

The overwhelming majority of the Zimbabwe electorate have always followed leaders blindly, their understanding of issues at stake has always been superficial at best. 

Zanu PF 's all-night vigils, "pungwe", of singing and slogans, more slogans and more singing, were meant to brainwash the people and not to educate them. The people as conditioned to follow ask no questions asked! 

Whereas the ancient Greeks saw the need for citizens to be educated and actively encouraged to learn by asking questions and freely  express themselves and freedom of association for democracy - government of the people, for the people and by the people - to work. Mugabe and is cronies wanted Zimbabwe to be a totalitarian autocracy, a one-party dictatorship, in which one man enjoys absolute power. “One man, one vote!”, freedom of expression, free media, etc. were all thrown out of the window for autocracy to work!

As much as Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends were elected on a ticket to deliver democratic change they too embraced the Zanu PF political culture of singing and slogan and brain washing. the Chamisa chete chete brigade members are just as brain dead as the hard core Zanu PF supporter. 

During the 2008 to 2013 GNU when MDC leaders had the best opportunity to implement the radicle democratic reforms the nation was dying, they failed to implement even one token reform. Instead of pushing for free and independent media and freedom of expression, for example, all Tsvangirai demanded was that the Zanu PF controlled public media should stop calling him a puppet. The did for a few weeks!

Chamisa conned his brain dead followers to believe he “plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. CCC win win big. He had started setting up his cabinet. #Godisinit!” It was an idiotic lie because Mnangagwa blatantly rigged the elections. There is no greater idiot than he who will close their minds to deny what they can see with their own eyes!

Zimbabwe is a failed state because for 45 years and counting the nation has been stuck with this corrupt, incompetent and murderous Zanu PF dictatorship. The nation has had many opportunities to end the dictatorship especially during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Ending the Zanu PF dictatorship is now dependent on the nation finally waking up to the reality that MDC/CCC leaders long abandoned their set task of implementing the reforms; they are Zanu PF team B in all but name, playing for team A to win and have legitimacy!

Yes, "normal for ruling elite to enjoy whilst povo suffer" but it is not because "opposition have gone to sleep". W Mukori

 @ Leonard Kino

MANY Zimbabweans are wondering how they can fit into a new political discourse as the hunger for political change wanes.

The conflict requires realignment and recalibration.

A robust, resilient political party that can win over both rural and urban voters is needed in Zimbabwe now.

We only had a powerful opposition party once, in 2000, when the late Morgan Tsvangirai was the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

In that year, MDC won 57 out of the 120 seats in the House of Assembly despite intimidation and electoral fraud.

For over 20 years, our opposition has been focused on furthering its own interests rather than the aspirations of the people.

While feigning to be tackling the problems faced by the people, they have caused the masses to live in constant hatred for one another.

It has become the norm in Zimbabwe that the ruling elite enjoys champagne and dinner at night while the electorate languishes in abject poverty because our opposition is in deep slumber.

As we continue to defend them, they continue to exploit the naive and act incompetently on the backdrop of our tolerance.

There is no opposition part in Zimbabwe right now to talk about.

You are right it has become “the norm in Zimbabwe that the ruling elite enjoys champagne and dinner at night while the electorate languishes in abject poverty”. However you are wrong to suggest this is happening “because our opposition is in deep slumber”! Zanu PF would not still be in power today if the opposition had gone to sleep.

Mugabe bribed Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends with the trappings of high office during the GNU so they forgot about implementing the reforms. Mugabe was smart enough to know that if Zanu PF was going to remain in power the party needed MDC/CCC leaders to con their followers, in their millions, to participate in flawed elections so flawed the result is not only predetermined and participating will give vote rigging Zanu Pf legitimacy and, worst of all, perpetuate the nation’s suffering. 

No MDC/CCC leaders have not been sleeping; their have been busy playing their part as Zanu PF team B in all but name, playing for team A to win and have legitimacy. Zanu PF has rewarded MDC/CCC leaders with a few gravy train seats. In 2018 Mnangagwa created POLAD as a bonus to opposition leaders who continue to participate in the flawed elections. 

Chamisa conned 2 million of his brain dead followers to participate in the 2023 elections on the basis of an idiotic lie. He told them he had “plugged all vote rigging loop holes. #Godisinit!” Of course, he lied!

What matters is that Mnangagwa rigged the elections and got away with it. Chamisa was paid US$20m for his hard work, according to Jealous Mawarire. 

Chamisa took one year and half Sabbatical leave after 2023 elections and is now back on the campaign trail for the flawed 2028 elections. He has to con his followers to participate once again on the basis of yet another idiotic lie!

He has his work cut out for him because some of the followers are waking up to the reality that Chamisa is not just a liar but a paid conman luring them perpetuate their own suffering for thirty pieces of silver!

Cucsman apologise for blind support of Chamisa ,. First of many Damascene moments to follow! W Mukori

 Popular Zimbabwean opposition musician and political commentator Cucsman has issued a heartfelt public apology, urging for greater objectivity and accountability within Zimbabwe's political landscape.

In a candid statement released on social media, Cucsman expressed regret for his past blind loyalty to opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and condemned the toxic culture of uncritical support that he admits has hampered political progress in the country.

"For a long time, I was a blind and religious supporter of Nelson Chamisa," Cucsman wrote. "I was deeply entrenched in the toxic bootlicking culture that has sadly become the norm in Zimbabwean politics where supporters refuse to accept any form of criticism directed at their preferred leaders."

He acknowledged his past defensive and dismissive attitude toward respected commentators like Hopewell Chin'ono, Freeman Chari, and Pedzisai Ruhanya, who have consistently sought to hold leaders accountable and foster honest political dialogue.

"I ridiculed and bashed those who dared to speak truth, even when the signs were evident. But today, I can boldly say: I was wrong, and you were right to call things out," Cucsman stated.

Reflecting on recent political developments, Cucsman criticized Chamisa's failure to act decisively after the disputed 2023 elections and the subsequent internal party turmoil, including the rise of controversial figures such as Sengezo Tshabangu. He lamented the opposition's loss of representation and the repeated reliance on slogans and motivational messages instead of tangible political strategies.

"I've come to the painful realisation that this is a cycle of unseriousness, deception, and wasted time. I no longer wish to be part of that echo chamber. I choose objectivity, truth, and progress over blind loyalty," he declared.

Cucsman's apology extends to anyone he may have offended with his previous harsh criticisms of dissenting voices within the opposition movement.

"To everyone I offended, insulted, or dismissed I am sincerely sorry. My past conduct was immature, and I take full responsibility for it," he said.

Despite facing backlash and accusations of being a "sellout," Cucsman emphasized his commitment to pushing for a stronger, more credible opposition that prioritizes accountability and real change over personality cults and empty promises.

"It's time we stop glorifying individuals and start demanding accountability, substance, and tangible solutions from our leaders. Our people deserve better," he concluded.

Cucsman's apology has sparked discussions across social media and political circles, with some welcoming his call for introspection and others debating the future of Zimbabwe's opposition.”

The penny has finally dropped! Chamisa conned Zimbabweans to participate in flawed elections knowing fully well that doing so would give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate the nation’s suffering. Ever since the GNU debacle,Chamisa & co have been Zanu PF team B playing for team A to win and have legitimacy. Those of us who have dared to say this have bee labeled CIO or worse.

One only hopes that Cucsman’s Damascian moment will be followed by many more as the curse of blind loyalty that has dominated our politic discourse is finally lifted. And Zimbabwean are finally free to think for themselves!

Elon Musk to launch new political party America Party.

 Elon Musk announces creation of new political party in USA

Elon Musk unveiled plans on Saturday to establish a new political party, vowing to "give freedom back to the people" and accusing America's elites of running the country into the ground.

In a post on X, the social media platform he owns, the billionaire South African entrepreneur, who also holds US citizenship, denounced both major parties as complicit in reckless over-spending. "When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy," Musk wrote. "Today, the America Party is formed to give you your freedom."

The move follows a public falling out between Musk and President Donald Trump over tax and spending policy.

The billionaire did not elaborate on how much progress he had made with the plan but indicated that the first move could be expected "next year," during the US midterm elections in November 2026, when 33 of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be up for grabs. For a new nationwide party to be established, its founding organization must qualify as a political party committee and register with the Federal Election Commission.

"The way we're going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield," Musk added in a follow-up post.

One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts.

Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 4, 2025

Musk first floated the idea of launching the America Party last month before reiterating his plans this week and confirming his intention to press ahead on Saturday. He tied the move to his opposition to Trump's sweeping multitrillion-dollar tax and spending package, dubbed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill'. 

"If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day," Musk wrote earlier this week, ahead of the Senate and House votes on the bill. 

The legislation, which Trump signed on Friday, allocates hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending for the president's border and national security agenda and imposes steep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and clean-energy subsidies – something Musk's company Tesla reportedly benefited from. 

Musk polled his followers on X about launching his party on Friday, hours before Trump signed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill'. On Saturday, he stated that "by a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!"

However, Musk may still have a long road ahead of him, according to Brett Kappel, a veteran election lawyer, who was asked to comment on the issue by CBS News. Each US state has different legal rules for recognizing political parties, he explained, adding that the hurdles for new ones "range from high to extraordinarily difficult to overcome." Building a national party could take years, he said.

Source - RT

Interesting. Very interesting indeed!

Zanu PF has rigged elections for 45 years and we have suffered the consequences "believing it normal." It is NOT normal! W Mukori

 Zimbabwe is a failed state and there are many, many reasons why we are a failed nation. One of those reasons has to be our reluctance to acknowledge a problem much less to do something about it. 

"If blacks are to rule themselves people in towns will walk on sewage until they believe it's normal, all the gains from colonisation will varnish, infrastructure will collapse, roads will be impassable, trains will kill ppl until they're abandoned as an unsafe mode of transport, hospitals will be closed, farms will be grabbed and nothing to feed the nation,” predicted Ian Smith in November 1975. 

At the time many people, especially blacks, dismissed the remark as just another one of his white supremacist remarks. 

Today, 45 years after independence; sadly, many of Smith’s doom and gloom predictions have come to past. Many Zimbabweans are not only walking on sewage but drinking it too. It is common knowledge that Harare’s dilapidated sewage system, like that of many other towns and cities across the land, has been spilling raw sewage straight into the city’s water supply source. And - here is the nub of it - many “believe it’s normal”!

Zimbabwe is a failed state because we have been stuck with this corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF for 45 years and counting. Zanu PF has blatantly rigged the elections these last 45 years, denying Zimbabweans a meaningful say in the governance of the country. 

“One man, one vote!” was one of the many promises the nation fought for and many died for in the struggle for independence. A fundamental right Zanu PF snatched away from the people on the eve of the nation’s independence; without so much as by your leave!

Zanu PF’s campaign message was simple enough - if Zanu PF does not win the 1980 elections, the bush war would continued. The people had no choice but to vote to end the war. It would have been foolhardy to argue looking up the business end of an AK47 refile! And with that vote, the people lost their right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country. 

The right to free, fair and credible elections, is much more than just a fundamental right. It is the essence of good governance. 

Zimbabwe is a failed state because Zanu PF has blatantly rigged elections and for 45 years and counting we have lived every day with the consequence of bad governance and “believe it normal”! What is more, it has always been within our power to cure ourselves of the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. 

Yes, even back then in 1980 when Zanu PF turned the AK47 refiles on us, we should have made a determined stand by voting for anyone else and NOT the party; just to protect our fundamental freedoms and rights including the right to “One man, One vote!” 

“He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security,” said Benjamin Franklin, American Scientist and Statesman. 

In 1980 Zimbabweans traded their freedoms and rights to end the bush war. Zanu PF thugs got what the wanted and three years later launched the Gukurahundi massacre, they were back demanding even more. And they have, over the years robbed the nation blind, terrorised the nation and killed over 40 000. 

The country’s economy is in ruins and millions of Zimbabweans live in abject poverty. Millions more have left the country as economic and/or political refugees. 

The pressure to end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance is palpable. It is unforgivable to allow the madness of Zanu PF dictatorship and the tragic human suffering it has brought to continue.

We cannot stop Zanu PF rigging the 2028 elections, there is no chance of getting any meaningful democratic reforms implement before then. Zanu PF will never implement any reforms and reform itself out of power, especially now when the regime has the political upper hand. 

We cannot stop Nelson Chamisa and his MDC/CCC fiends participating in the flawed 2028 elections out of greed, as they have done in the past. When MDC/CCC leaders failed to implement any reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU, they decided to participate giving vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy for a share of the spoils of power.

What we can do is make sure Chamisa & co. do not com millions of Zimbabweans to participate in the flawed elections. Chamisa lied about CCC winning 2023 elections because he “plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. #Godisinit!” He even evoke the name of God! 

Our task is to get Zimbabweans to admit Chamisa lied to them about stopping Zanu PF rigging the elections, to con them to participate in the 2023 elections. And that they must not allow themselves to be conned to participate in the 2028 elections on the basis of another idiotic lie. 

Stop millions from participating in flawed 2028 elections are we will deny Zanu PF legitimacy.

Both SADC and AU election observers judged the 2023 elections as flawed and illegal. They would have gone the full-hog and denies Zanu PF legitimacy if millions had not participated in the flawed elections. 

Nearly 2 million voted for Chamisa and nearly the same number in the diaspora supported participating. This madness must stop. It is insane to keep participating in flawed election, “so flawed, so illegal the logical step is to withdraw,” as David Coltart has admitted. It is insane to participate to give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate the nation’s suffering.