It was 2004 to 2007 USA ambassador to Zimbabwe, Chris Dell, who said in a leaked cable back to Washington that Morgan Tsvangirai “was a flawed and indecisive character who, if he ever got into power would be an albatross round the nation’s neck!” He came to this conclusion after meeting Tsvangirai on a few occasions.
The observation spoke volumes about those around Tsvangirai who had elected him their leader ever since the MDC’s launch in 1999. It also spoke volumes of the people of Zimbabwe themselves who were risking life and limb to elect Morgan Tsvangirai and company to carry out the important task of bringing about the democratic changes the nation was dying for.
Tsvangirai and his MDC banded mongooses did get into power, in the 2008 to 2013 GNU, and had the golden opportunity to implement the raft of democratic reforms which SADC leaders had managed to get Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies to agree to. The banded mongooses failed to get even one reform implemented in five years; proving beyond all reason able doubt that MDC leaders were breathtakingly corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless.
Events have proven that Ambassador Dell was right, Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC banded mongooses have become an albatross round the nation’s neck but only because the ordinary Zimbabweans themselves have failed to see the banded mongooses for the corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless individuals they all are even with all the benefit of hind sight?
“Schools are without water and sanitation facilities that meet the needs of the students and teachers,” commented Karsten Noko in The Standard/Bulawayo 24.
“How is it that a party (MDC) that was formed as the vanguard of the working class today fails to turn all these grievances into political action and put pressure on the ruling party?
“How is it acceptable, for the over two million people who voted for Nelson Chamisa and the MDC, that they seem to accept that the ruling party and its handlers will loot the country dry?
“How long do they plan to roll over and play dead for?
“Should we be waiting until the next election and then start campaigning a few months ahead of the elections - only to cry foul when the ruling party yet again rigs the elections?”
All these are all very pertinent and urgent questions one would ask any other opposition but not the MDC! There is a mountain of evidence to show MDC leaders are beyond the pale.
MDC has failed to implement even one democratic reform in 20 years, even when they had the chance to do so during the GNU. And ever since the GNU the party has participated in flawed and illegal elections knowing that doing so would give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
They have also known that Zanu PF was giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate. And this they could not resist.
“How long do they plan to roll over and play dead for?” Is a foolish question to ask; MDC leaders are not playing dead, they are dead!
By hanging on to MDC, Zimbabweans are not doing themselves any favour; they are holding back the search for the competent women and men to implement the reforms. For the nation to search for quality leaders the people must first accept the reality that MDC leaders are not up to the task!
It is the ability to pay attention to detail that enabled Ambassador Dell to see Tsvangirai for who he was, even after meeting him a few times, - a flawed and indecisive character who will be a milestone dragging the nation into the abyss.
It is the inability to pay attention to detail that is stopping many Zimbabweans from seeing MDC leaders for the corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless leaders they are. MDC will never implement any democratic reforms necessary for free, fair and credible elections. They failed to do so when they had the golden opportunity to do so during the GNU; it is naive to believe they can do so now when Zanu PF has all the trump cards.
Detail matter! Detail is absolutely everything!
ReplyDeleteMDC leaders have proven beyond all doubt that they are corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless. It is those who are refusing to accept this reality who have their heads buried in the sand.
One does not ask the dead how long they will play dead!
Are we becoming a nation of activist, content to flag an injustice knowing fully well there is very little we can do to stop it!
ReplyDeleteThe gentleman from Czechia talked of the MDC A being incapacitated in blocking the passage of this offensive patriotic bill by the recall of its MPs. We all know that Zanu PF had 2/3 majority from the July 2018 elections and so was going to pass this law regardless.
The Bill is targeting the regime's political opponents and critics and is therefore political. Most people, including the panelists here, agreed Zimbabwe's courts are captured, especially on political matters. And so a Constitution Court challenge of the enacted bill will have as much chance as Chamisa had in winning the July 2018 election results.
What all the panelists have ignored to acknowledge here is the fact that Zanu PF rigged the elections and therefore the party's 2/3 majority is but a forgery. The party is proposing and enacting laws under the false pretence it has the people of Zimbabwe's mandate to do so. The fight should be to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections.
MDC leaders betrayed the nation by failing to implement the democratic reforms designed to end the culture of rigged elections when they had the chance to do so during the GNU. And to add insult to injury MDC leaders are the ones giving Zanu PF legitimacy by participating in these flawed and illegal elections.
It is sheer hypocrisy on the part of the MDC leaders and supporters to be masquerading as the human rights activists fighting to stop the enactment of oppressive laws when they are the one who gave the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy!
Zimbabwe is becoming a nation of activists always willing to flag an injustice but will do nothing to stop is happening, particularly the MDC leaders. Professor Jonathan Moyo was right in dismissing the MDC leaders for chasing news headline even at the expense of reform headways!
ReplyDeleteZimbabwe would not be stuck with this corrupt and vote rigging Zanu PF regime if MDC leaders had not sold-out and implemented the reforms.
Given Zanu PF's 2/3 majority in parliament we are powerless to do anything to stop Mnangagwa doing what he please. The MDC are making a big song and dance fighting to stop this bill for the sake of news headline!
@ Mbofana
ReplyDeleteWhilst, our loved ones face the most treacherous and agonizing deaths in our homes - as a result of the unaffordability and unavailability of most essential medications, and other much needed potentially life-saving procedures - do we never feel grossly short-changed by the sadistic and cold-hearted ruling elite (and their hangers-on), who readily, even in the midst of a global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fly (in chartered jets) to receive expensive and world-class medical treatment overseas?
However, I am sure, if the same politicians were to donate a few boxes of paracetamol, and some bottles of sanitizers, for good measure, to our local clinics, we would not hesitate rolling on the ground, in joyous celebrations of these ‘saviors'!
Thank you very much for reminding us all what we must and need to hear!
We have a ruling elite who give with one hand, making a big song and dance about it, whilst the rob us blind with the other hand and we have been brainwashed into thinking they are doing us a great favour.
It is a crying shame that many Zimbabweans have risked life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power on the understanding they would bring about the democratic reforms the nation was dying for. After 20 years on the political stage MDC leaders have not only failed to bring about even one democratic reforms but worse still they are now giving legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF regime by participating in flawed elections.
MDC MP Musihairambi-Mushonga was grovelling before Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube, thanking him for not taxing sanitary pads forgetting that the regime has taxed everything else beyond the reach of the millions now living in abject poverty.
Talk of being penny wise and pound foolish: of course, none of the women benefiting from the tax-free sanitary pad would not mind paying full tax if they had a well paying job! If MP Musihairambi-Mushonga had implemented the democratic reforms and thus ended the curse of rigged elections Zimbabwe will have a competent government and thriving economy with good and well paying jobs for its people.
It took nearly 20 years for Zimbabweans to finally accept that Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies were corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs who were rigging elections to stay in power. The people accept the need for democratic changes as the only way to stop Zanu PF rigging elections and they risked all to elect MDC leaders to implement the reforms. After 20 years it is clear MDC are not up to the task and the nation must now wake up to this political reality.
The fact that Ambassador Dell was able to see Tsvangirai for who he was, "a flawed and indecisive character" after meeting him a few times and many Zimbabweans, even with the benefit of years MDC blundering incompetence, really speaks volumes of the latter's inability to comprehend facts and reality. Our failure to see MDC leaders for what they are, corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless after the GNU debacle has only allowed the MDC to stay in power and drag us into yet another blunder.
ReplyDeleteBy participating in the 2013 and then 2018 knowing Zanu PF was rigging the elections gave the process some credibility and gave the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
The whole world has completely ignore Chamisa's challenge of Mnangagwa's claim as the winner of the 2018 elections not because they believed the challenge was frivolous. The EU Election Observer Mission had reported the election process lacked "transparency, traceability and verifiability", the same things Chamisa was claiming in his change. Yet the EU did not even take any notice of the Court because it was indeed frivolous in that Chamisa knew these things would happen and yet still participated.
Indeed, Chamisa even insisted MDC did not need any reforms implemented because the party "has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!"
No one in their right mind would ever take MDC seriously after that! The very fact that there are Zimbabweans who still do only goes to explain why the world has walked out of us. If we want the world to take us seriously on the fight to end the Zanu PF dictatorship, we must demonstrate to the world that we understand what is going on, we are not just blundering from pillar to post.
The NC also resolved to fire Mwonzora's lieutenant, Simon Hove, who was masquerading as the Harare provincial chairperson and was reportedly causing problems in the party in cahoots with him.
ReplyDeleteThe aborted congress had been scheduled for Harare last Saturday, but was postponed at the eleventh hour after Khupe and Mwonzora, seen as the main rivals, were involved in a vicious battle over the voters roll.
After the agreement to cancel the congress, another war erupted over US$29 000 that was allegedly given to some delegates clandestinely, it has emerged.
Yesterday, the national council made a resolution that the 2014 voters roll, which was produced by the Khupe camp, was going to prevail.
The dog-eat-dog fighting is over power, the only thing they all have in common and care about. They all claim to be democrats who respect the rule of law and yet they are all quick off the mark to disregard the law if it helps them climb the greasy pole! And once they make it up the greasy pole, they greatest preoccupation is take full advantage of their position to eliminate all competition by hook and by crook.
The people of Zimbabwe risked life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power on the understanding the party will implement the democratic reforms necessary to end the curse of rigged elections. When the MDC got into power in the 2008 to 2013 GNU they were busy enjoying the trappings of high office and forgot why they were there.
Having tasted just how sweet power is the MDC leaders have since shown that they will do anything to stay in power including conniving with Zanu PF to perpetuate the dictatorship in return for a few gravy train seats.
The one thing Zanu PF learned during the 2008 GNU was that MDC leaders are corrupt and incompetent, bribe them and they will sell-out on reforms. Zanu PF has also learned that it can bribe the MDC to participate in flawed and illegal elections.
So our fight for free, fair and credible elections has suddenly become a hell lot more complex; we not only have to deal with Zanu PF but MDC too. The big question then is are we, the people, smart enough to see that MDC leaders are running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.
The people of Zimbabwe should have been more careful in electing these corrupt and incompetent MDC leaders especially given the nasty experience of electing the power hungry Zanu PF thugs.
At least 10 000 suspected ghost workers have been struck off the Government payroll after a biometric registration exercise as the Second Republic walks the talk on its reforms aimed at restoring order in the civil service.
ReplyDeleteThe eliminated names are of those whose biometric data was non-compliant under the exercise that was assisted by the World Bank.
“Ghost workers are no longer an issue. We have managed to account for those on the Salary Service Bureau,” he said.
“We conducted a biometric exercise to get the data of all civil servants and comparing with the Registrar’s office. We realised that about 10 000 were not biometric compliant and traced them at each and every work station.”
PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said the PSC simply eliminated ghost workers by withdrawing salaries to those who were non-complaint to the biometric exercise.
“We made sure that we stopped paying those non complaint and only the legitimate ones came forward. However, the exercise should be an ongoing thing,” he said.
The reason why the country has failed to stamp out corruption is clear as day - those in power are paying lip service to “zero tolerance on corruption!” The regime is making a big song and dance about striking 10 000 ghost workers off the government payroll.
Surely if the regime was serious about ending corruption it would also be keen to get to the bottom of this; there are many questions that must be answered here:
How long have these ghost workers been on the payroll?
There must be real people out there who have cashed the ghost worker pay cheques. Who are these real people?
How do we know the ghost workers have not been removed form the payroll to become ghost pensioners who will get a golden handshake plus a generous pension to match?
The only hope of ending the scourge of corruption is by ending the Zanu PF dictatorship.
HIGH inflation, low disposable income and other economic hardships have forced a muted festive season for most Zimbabweans.
ReplyDeleteThis year, Christmas cheer will be missing from the hearts of many Zimbabweans who will have to make do with reminiscing about previous festive seasons instead.
Their country is in the grip of an economic crisis as high inflation, low disposable income, compressed wages, and general economic hardships take their toll.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions says the country’s unemployment rate stands at a towering 90 percent as people resort to informal and casual jobs for some form of income.
The stake reality it at complete odds with the Zanu PF regime’s insistence the country is course to attain the upper middle income status, vision 2030. But then Zimbabwe is a Banana Republic ruled by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs given to portraying the situation as they want it to be seen; a prosperous nation at odds with the reality of an impoverished nation.
The day of the signing of the agreement – 22 December – has since been made a public holiday and it will be marked again this Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHowever, speaking at a revived Zapu celebrations to mark the party’s 59 years of existence, Zapu acting president Isaac Mabuka said the opposition party regretted signing the agreement with Zanu.
“Only one condition was given by Zanu PF’s Mugabe in order for Gukurahundi to stop – that Zapu signs the never negotiated unity accord document and agree to be swallowed by his party,” he said
“As a result, Zapu went in and the physical killings stopped albeit with the scorched earth policies of the government continuing up to this very day. What followed were years of unsuccessful efforts to reform the Zanu PF government as well as prescribing Zapu’s social, economic and developmental component into the resultant government’s policy.
“The Zapu component in the government also called in the government to respect, protect and promote human rights, but the calls fell on deaf ears, said Mabuka.
The party was formed on 17 December 1961, 10 days after the Rhodesian government had banned the then National Democratic Party (NDP).
The acting Zapu president said after failing to convince Zanu PF to reform, the party eventually decided to sever ties with the ruling in 2009.
“Eventually, Zapu got fed up and in 2009 severed the unity accord ties and pulled out from both Zanu PF as well as government. A resolution was taken at the White City Stadium and marked the first step of Zapu’s revival, followed by a special convention at McDonalds Hall in 2009 and later in 2010 at the ZITF Congress.
The Zanu PF and PF Zapu unity accord ushered the de facto one-party dictatorship that has ruled the nation to this day.
The nation had the best opportunity to dismantle the dictatorship during the 2008 to 2013 GNU; sadly Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends wasted the opportunity.
After 40 years of rigged elections and the country in total economic meltdown the number one priority is to restore our people’s freedoms and human rights and dignity. And the only sure way to achieve this is by implementing the democratic reforms leading to free, fair and credible elections.
The Unity Accord was used as cover to impose the de facto one-party dictatorship that has brought all the chaos, economic waste and political oppression. Any one who sees the 22 December 1987 as a positive has no clue what he/she is talking about!
ReplyDeleteLet Mnangagwa and cronies celebrate the day, the millions of ordinary Zimbabweans languishing in abject poverty and fighting for the implementation of the democratic reform to end the dictatorship have nothing to celebrate until then.
Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) launched a campaign dubbed 2.2 Million Votes for Women from Women. The campaign aims to engage and mobilise 2.2 million women across the country to vote for women candidates in the 2023 elections.
ReplyDeleteThe campaign will serve as an inclusive and non-partisan platform for demanding the effective implementation of the gender equality provisions of the Zimbabwean Constitution through identifying, engaging, sensitizing, mobilizing women voters, and also the general population on the need and importance of electing women into leadership positions, and mobilizing them to vote for women candidates in order to reverse the historical and structural inequalities that inhibit women from effectively and fully occupying influential leadership positions.
If one was to tell WALPE the elections will not be free, fair and credible, not without implementing the reforms will the campaign still go ahead regardless?
If one was to add that by participating in the flawed and illegal elections the candidates, regardless which side of the political divide they come from, will give legitimacy to those who rig the elections will WALPE still carry-on regardless?
Well I really fail to see why WALPE is called an Academy because there is no intellectual worth a spit who will have anything to do with an elections process knowing fully well it is a mockery of democratic free, fair and credible elections!