Self‑imposed Citizens Coalition for Change secretary‑general Sengezo Tshabangu has threatened to move a motion in Parliament calling for the cancellation of Alpha Media Holdings journalist Blessed Mhlanga’s passport following remarks he made at the Geneva Summit, where he described Zimbabwe as a tyrannical state.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Tshabangu labelled Mhlanga “unpatriotic”.
“I listened to @bbmhlanga speaking at the Geneva Summit, and I was deeply moved by his remarks. As an opposition politician and a Senator in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, I will raise a motion in the Senate urging the Government to cancel his passport. Patriotism must be upheld,” Tshabangu wrote.
Speaking in Geneva, Mhlanga said: “This is the new face of repression in Zimbabwe, laced with sophistication. In the past, it was naked violence on the streets, abductions and forced disappearances. It has changed - it is now violence committed through the legal system, what I call ‘lawfare’.”
He added that Zimbabwe had not become more democratic, but rather more sophisticated in its methods of oppression.
“So the world can pretend that Zimbabwe is democratising. But the worst is yet to come. And as a journalist, I will continue my search for the truth. Journalism is all I know; it is all I intend to do,” he said.
The people of Zimbabwe have risked livelihoods, limbs and many have dies to elect MDC/CCC leaders into power on the understanding they will implement democratic reforms, end the Zanu PF dictatorship and replace it with a healthy democratic system of government. Alas! That was not to be.
MDC/CCC leaders have failed to implement even one token reform in 26 years including 5 GNU years when they had the best chance ever to do so. Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office, E-Class Mercedes Benz limos for all the deputy ministers, ministers, two deputy PM and PM Tsvangirai; very generous salary and allowances for all elected officials and a US$4m mansion for Tsvangirai. We thought that was all. Wrong!
Top MDC/CCC leaders got farms, cash from RBZ and others benefits; the details of which are only starting to come out now.
“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC leaders are enjoying the benefit of being on the gravy train, they will not rock the boat!) boasted Zanu PF cronies when they were asked why MDC leaders were not implementing the reforms during the GNU. It was not an empty boast!
Ever since the GNU debacle, MDC/CCC leaders have conned Zimbabweans to participate in flawed elections knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging and that participating would give the regime legitimacy and thus perpetuating it and the nation’s suffering. They have done it regardless because they also knew the regime was offering a few gravy train seats, POLAD and other inducements to entice the opposition to participate no matter how flawed and illegal the election process got!
Like it or not MDC/CCC leaders have become Zanu PF team B in all but name, playing for team A to win and have legitimacy. Mnangagwa has publicly boasted about how well the opposition is helping to keep Zanu PF in power!
Zanu PF has denied the people their fundamental freedoms and rights including freedom of expression to stifle all meaningful debate and democratic accountability. The country media is dominated by the government controlled public media which is the party’s propaganda mouth piece. The regime has harassed and persecuted the private media accusing it of being unpatriotic.
In Zimbabwe saying anything that portrays the nation in the negative light regardless whether it is true and relevant; indeed, especially if it true and relevant; is deemed unpatriotic.
Of course, it is true that Zimbabwe is a failed state in which the regime is riding roughshod over the people denying them their freedom, basic rights and human dignity. Blessed Mhlanga is being punished by the regime for daring speak out against the tyranny and oppression. It is relevant that people speak out against tyranny and oppression - speaking out is as natural as creaming - and it is natural to seek a peaceful means to end one’s suffering.
How ironic that the MDC/CCC leaders, elected by the people to dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorship, have been so thoroughly corrupt by the regime they moved from running with the povo hare by day and hunting with the Zanu PF hounds by night to hunting with the hounds even in broad day! By publicly labelling Mhlanga unpatriotic, Tshabangu is hunting with the Zanu PF hounds in broad daylight. No more hiding!