Zimbabwe’s 23 August 2023 elections were a farce not even the country’s own body tasked to observe the elections Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) could deny that!
“ZHRC has released a report on the August 2023 elections, highlighting the disruptive influence of the Zanu PF affiliated group, Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), and alleged bias favouring the ruling party by both the police and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC),” reported Bulawayo 24.
"In various communities, there were reports of individuals being compelled by their community leaders and FAZ members to attend specific political rallies," quoting the commission report.
"CCC (Citizens Coalition for Change) complained that in Bindura, they were denied permission to hold campaign rallies, despite asserting that their notifications adhered to Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) guidelines.”
What is infuriating is that these complains are not new, the nation has read reports from other election observers saying the same thing in these elections and in the past and nothing is done to stop this madness. For the record, Zimbabwe is yet to hold free, fair and credible elections in the country’s 43 years of independence.
What makes our situation even more infuriating is that it is none other the men and women the nation has entrusted the task to implement the democratic reforms to ensure elections are free, fair and credible who are ignoring the observer reports and hell bent on participating in these flawed elections.
Lest we forget, MDC/CCC leaders had the opportunity to implement the democratic reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections notably during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office and in return they kicked reforms into a prickly pear cactus thicket! And, worst of all, ever since the GNU debacle MDC/CCC leaders have abandoned reforms to participate in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy for a share of the gravy train reward.
Of course, CCC leaders have been conniving with Zanu PF to con Zimbabweans into participating in these flawed elections to perpetuate the dictatorship and the suffering of the ordinary people. The opposition leaders themselves know it and admit it.
“Look, you can't keep on participating in flawed electoral processes that serve to give big benefits to dictators such as Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has perfected the art of winning elections. So it will be very foolish for the opposition to continue legitimising these sham elections which don't deliver,” said Tendai Biti in a 2015 interview with Isaac Mugabi.
“So you can't continue subjecting Zimbabweans to processes where their hopes just get crushed.”
There is no doubt that Biti was airing his frustration in public in the hope of coercing his fellow opposition members to stop the sheer futility of participating in these flawed elections. It did not work; greed had the better of them and in the end he joined them for his share of the spoils.
Yes the opposition has been participating in these flawed elections out of greed and David Coltart spelt it out in black and white!
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
It is for the people of Zimbabwe themselves to wake-up to this political reality that CCC will never implement and democratic reform and thus end this curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Ever since the GNU debacle, Chamisa et al have been running with the povo hare and hunting with the Zanu PF hounds!
43 years and in this day and age and we are still failing to do something as basic as hold a free, fair and credible elections. If there is one thing that has come to epitomise our failure to govern ourselves it is this - our failure to hold free, fair credible elections.
@ VaZhou
ReplyDelete“After having noting all this what is your plan then. Can u yourself in position to help us achieve those reforms.”
In the case of Boxer the horse, I would say my plan is to go back to learning the alphabet, it is not rocket science, he just needs to put the extra effort. I would also advise him that Napoleon is fallible and the the “Napoleon is always right!” motto is foolish and dangerous.
In you case, the plan is exactly the same; you need to educate yourself on what constitute free, fair and credible election building up to what reforms are required to ensure free elections, etc.
There is no shame in being ignorant particularly if by admitting it you learn something! The most foolish people on earth are those who pretend to know even when it is obvious they have no clue what they are talking about.
Chamisa is not an infallible demigod but a mere mortal and worst of all one who has already proven to be corrupt and incompetent. It really is foolish to continue giving him your blind and unquestioning loyalty.
You asking for reforms is like Boxer asking for the complete works of Shakespeare - what good will that be to him since he cannot read? What good will a list of reforms be to you when you do know what constitute free, fair and credible elections!
The Unspoken Alliance is a provocative book. It has ignited a firestorm in the British press and sparked angry reactions in Israel. Yet the book, which traces Israel's close and largely secret relationship with apartheid South Africa, has drawn relatively little notice in the U.S. Only a few media outlets have focused on its revelations. The most intriguing of Israel’s far-flung security partnerships was its long and close relationship with the apartheid regime in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteAt the heart of this book is a richly detailed account of how Israel and South Africa cooperated as they worked to develop nuclear weapons in the 1960s and '70s. It is especially relevant today, as nuclear rivalries escalate in the Middle East, because it explains—calmly, methodically, and with full documentation—how Israel and South Africa helped each other build atomic bombs in secret.
The people of Zimbabwe will never forget the role NIKUV played in rigging the 2013 elections! The government of Israel knew about NIKUV and were warned about it and still chose to let the rigging activities go ahead!
All MDC/CCC leaders can join Zanu PF as Obert Gutu and others have done because all of them without exception have been careful not to rock the Zanu PF boat when push came to shove! Zanu PF has retained all its dictatorial powers thanks to MDC/CCC leaders' blatant betrayal of povo.
ReplyDeleteIF 2028 ELECTIONS ARE EVER GOING TO BE FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE THEN WE, ZIMBABWEANS, MUST IMPLEMENT THE REFORMS. CCC ARE CONNIVING WITH ZANU PF AND WILL NEVER DO IT!
https://www.zimeye.net/2023/11/27/mazivanhu-emdc-ajaira-kudya-anyerere/
There are many reasons why Zimbabwe is a failed state but they all boil down to one - failure to hold free, fair and credible elections.
ReplyDeleteAfter 43 years of independence, in this day and age, we are still failing to define what constitute free, fair and credible elections. A damning testimonial in our failure to govern ourselves. I am laughing not because it is funny but to stop myself crying!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R6v1DtY400
@ Muchinamuhombe
ReplyDelete‘Come and contest iwewe sei Uchida kutumira vamwe.”
You participated in the flawed and illegal August 2023 elections giving the process and Zanu PF legitimacy because you believed Chamisa’s lies of having plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. And when he said “God is in it!” you were bowled over. Many people had warned of the sheer futility of participating in flawed elections only to give Zanu PF legitimacy and for the sake of a few gravy train seats for Chamisa and company. You paid no heed to the warning.
MDC leaders failed to implement even one reform during the GNU for the same reasons - greed and breathtaking incompetence.
Are you now telling me that you participated because you believed I had send Chamisa. You continued to support MDC blindly even after they sold out during the GNU, was that because you thought I had send them too?
According to reports, CCC provincial taskforce chairperson for Harare Eric Murai and an official Matsunga Machuma bulldozed their way into chambers to ensure that councillors voted according to Chamisa's instructions.
ReplyDeleteMurai and Machuma allegedly asked the councillors to show their ballots before casting their votes.
Ngadziore could neither confirm nor deny the scuffle when contacted for comment.
"I do not want to comment because it was an internal issue," he said.
Every political party, like a family, has its own problems the trouble with CCC is the party is blundering from pillar to post and most of the problems are of its own making. The truth of the matter is there are no quality leaders in the party, indeed most of the leaders have already proved that they are corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent.
@ Halambula
ReplyDelete"Which system is not rotten in the world ?"
So we are now going to compare a fail state like Zimbabwe with a stable and prosperous nation like South Korea on the bases that there are poor individuals in both nations regardless of the the numbers and extend of the poverty!
@ Chihwa
ReplyDelete“I reposted did the opposition ever run elections.”
True the opposition have never run any elections but they did have the opportunity to implement democratic reforms in the GNU and they failed to implement even one token reform. They have known it was futile participating in flawed elections only to give Zanu PF legitimacy and yet they have continued to do so out of greed. They knew zanu PF was giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate.
Of course, Zanu PF knew the oppositions will find the bait irresistible and thus emboldening Zanu PF to do as it damn well pleased.In the August 29023 elections the regime did not even bother to produce a verified voters’ roll for Pete’s sake!
@ Zambeze
ReplyDelete“How many times do you want to repeat this?”
What I find shocking in this line of questioning is that you are complaining that I am repeating that MDC failed to implement the reforms and Zanu PF rigged the elections. You are fuming and frothing at me for saying these facts but indifferent at that Zimbabwe has had rigged elections for 43 years and the tragic economic and social consequences of our failure to hold free elections. So you do not mind the tyrannical oppression nor the tragic human suffering and deaths; you just do not want to hear anyone complaining about the barbarism nor the screaming from the victims!
How can anyone be so dumb, shallow, thick and slow? No wonder we are a failed state, with citizens this thick, we really have no chance of ever becoming a healthy and functioning democracy.
As long as Zanu PF continues to rig elections, I will repeat the call for the need for competent opposition leaders who WILL implement the bloody reforms and stop this insanity. You can fume and froth all you want, I am not here to massage your idiotic ego! “How many times!” What an idiotic question to ask!
NASA, ZESA and many other pension funds are investing in Zimbabwe's gas and oil exploration. How many pensioners are living in abject poverty? Zimbabwe's greatest problem is not lack of resources or potential, these we have is abundance. Our greatest problem is one of poor governance.
ReplyDelete43 years of this corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship, thanks in part to the CCC who have sold out on reforms, have left the nation in economic ruins and political paralysis.
WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS AND CURE OURSELVES OF THE CURSE OF RIGGED ELECTIONS AND BAD GOVERNANCE! NOW!
https://www.facebook.com/4415858595176450/videos/876727880525945
Malcom X was right the one thing that has held us blacks back is the failure to think for ourselves and having buffoons like Mnangagwa as leaders has not helped one bit!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrGeO4umplw
Those who refuse to think end up doing the most idiotic things. Where is the evidence to back his claim. This is just "gut feeling" just like Chamisa's own "I have plugged all vote rigging loop-holes!" or "God is in it!" The tragedy is there are always many who accept these nonsense because they too are too lazy to think!
ReplyDeleteLeader of the opposition in Parliament, Amos Chibaya is living large as he is drawing huge perks from Government. He has become the envy of all within the CCC. His conditions of service, as the leader of the opposition, are equivalent to those that are entitled to a Minister of State. He is set to receive a Toyota Land Cruiser VX-V8 worth a whooping US$200 000 and a Mercedes Benz E300 which costs more than US$150 000.
ReplyDeleteThe vehicles come with dedicated drivers that chauffer Chibaya to whatever destination he desires. He draws Parliamentary fuel to traverse his constituency and is also entitled to foreign trips to engage in Parliamentary fuel to traverse his constituency and is also entitled to foreign trips to engage in Parliamentary business.
The leader of the opposition has been given an executive office that is equipped with the best furniture that money can buy. His office is manned by a Personal Assistant who is at the level of Deputy Director as well as a Principle Executive Assistant. All these have their salaries paid by the Government. In order to facilitate parliament business, Chibaya was provided with a handset of his choice and a dedicated line contracted to Parliament. On top of that, he receives 2 000 units of voice bundles and 50GB data per month.
Furthermore, Chibaya is entitled to State provided security for his person and residence. The President’s Office provides him with personal security while the ZRP provides security at the place of residence of his choice. The perks that Chibaya is enjoying have left party leader, Nelson Chamisa, green with envy.
To all those who refused to accept that MDC leaders failed to implement even one token reform duding the GNU and have been participating in these flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy because of greed. Well this should be an eye opener!
“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” Zanu PF thugs boasted when ask asked why MDC leaders were not implementing the democratic reforms during the GNU.
Chamisa was offered that position after the 2018 elections and he refused it and Mnangagwa is just rubbing it in!
In 2015 individuals like Tendai Biti argued to end the folly of participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy.
“Look, you can't keep on participating in flawed electoral processes that serve to give big benefits to dictators such as Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has perfected the art of winning elections. So it will be very foolish for the opposition to continue legitimising these sham elections which don't deliver,” said Tendai Biti in a 2015 interview with Isaac Mugabi.
“So you can't continue subjecting Zimbabweans to processes where their hopes just get crushed.”
No one listened to him and we can see why! If the people of Zimbabwe want to end the curse of rigged elections then they must first realise that CCC will never ever implement the reforms and so find others who will. This blind loyalty to CCC is what is hold back meaningful change in Zimbabwe today!
Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again expecting a different result! We in Zimbabwe have participated in flawed elections, so flawed and illegal there could only be one winner, Zanu PF, knowing doing so would give Zanu PF legitimacy. We have participated regardless for 43 years and counting.
ReplyDeleteThe question we must ask ourselves is: ARE WE IGNORANT OR WORSE, STUPID?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwKP3P4GWkg
@ Chakaipa
ReplyDelete“Uyu neuyo anoitwa Mukori(+44)
hameno kuti vakaitwa sei. They behave as if they are immortal. Morover, they seem to blame the opposition as if they are responsible for the problems bedevelling Zim. They forget that genuine opposition parties like CCC ( genuine ) are players in the game with good intentions to score and make Zim better. The brutality, stealing, electorol malpractices etc are neither a direct nor indirect responsibility of them, infact they are victims of dictatorship like ordinary Zimbos also. The tragedy like what happened paRudd Concession, the country was sold by one king, ironically another individual, an imposter Tshabangu has sold the country for pieces of silver.
History is littered with betrayers of the struggle and independence in so many republics. Varakashi have not rested since 2017 to aid the coups each time and glorify looting to grand scales.
Time will tell hapana chisingaperi.”
Even now with all the benefit of hindsight you still DO NOT get it!
Zanu PF retained all its dictatorial powers after the GNU and has been rigging elections and get away with it not because of anything they did but rather because MDC/CCC leaders sold out. They failed to implement even one reform during the GNU and have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed.
Chamisa and his CCC friends will never ever implement any reforms to ensure free and fair elections. By burying you head in the sand you are playing your part in giving Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuating the dictatorship.
I will never ever be bully by a village idiot into joining him in his insanity! Never!
@ Sfb
ReplyDelete“If you quarrel with your brother, you don't then go across town to solicit strangers to beat and evict your brother!
Ordinary people didn't fly to the west to solicit illegal sanctions to bankrupt Zimbabwe's economy! The corrupt opposition leaders did.
Ordinary people were misled by these charlatans to join them because they opposed ZANU-PF for their own selfish goals. These charlatans intentionally mislead people to believe that opposing ZANU-PF meant they were pro-democracy and anti-corruption.
Acknowledge your own faults before demanding others acknowledge theirs.”
In blatant rigging the elections and denying the people a meaningful vote it is the ordinary Zimbabwean and not the opposition Zanu PF is punishing! What has my aunt and uncle in the rural back waters who were frogmarched to vote for Zanu PF got to do with the sanctions?
Zanu PF has never ever held free, fair and credible elections. In the 1980 elections the regime threatened that if it lost the elections the bush war would continue. The 1985 elections were held under the Gukurandi cloud. The 1990 to 2000 too were not free and fair because the regime claimed its opponents were threatening the unity of the 1987 Unity accord with PF Zapu. There were no Westen sanctions then since they were imposed in 2001.
The sanctions are just a scapegoat to justify the rigging of elections!
The greatest tragedy for Zimbabwe is that MDC leaders have sold out on implementing the reforms even when they had the golden opportunity to do so! And to add salt to injury the MDC wildebeest herd continue to prop up CCC and thus indirectly propping upon Zanu PF! You cannot reason with the herd!
It is a great pity that Al Jazzera did the people of Zimbabwe a great favour in uncovering the grand looting of the nation's gold and yet the nation has done nothing to stamp it out!It was all water off a duck's back. We deserve to suffer and will suffer until we finally learn that good governance must be earned!
ReplyDelete@ Kungwengwemaniac
ReplyDelete“In all honesty, what could the opposition really do against a party that wields the state machinery?”
Zanu PF did not wield any "state machinery" during the GNU, why did MDC leaders fail to implement even one reform in five years? MDC/CCC have been participating in elections they themselves admit are "so flawed so illegal the only rational thing to do was to withdraw"? They have not withdrawn because of greed.
The tragedy for Zimbabwe is that it is none other than the corrupt and incompetent opposition that is now keeping Zanu PF in power by failing to implement even one one reform in 23 years, 5 of which in the GNU. The situation is made worse by having an electorate that is so shallow, thick and slow they have failed to realise that CCC are now running with the povo hare and hunting with the Zanu PF hounds! Even those one would have thought are the nation’s intellectuals, the nation’s creme de la creme; they too are brain dead.
Poor, poor Zimbabwe! No wonder the country is a failed state. And, at this rate, Zanu PF is certain to rig the 2028 elections guaranteed the people’ full participation to guarantee the regime legitimacy. One cannot reason with the brain-dead!
@ David Mugadzi
ReplyDelete“The ZANU Pf system employs the state apparatus to control and advance the agenda of the revolutionary party. It is important to acknowledge this, as it has a significant impact on the political landscape in Zimbabwe. By comprehending the workings of this system, we can gain a more nuanced perspective on the situation. Do not underestimate the ruling party system at all.
During the GNU (Government of National Unity), the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) faced challenges when trying to push for reforms. This was primarily due to the fact that the system was not designed to accommodate such changes. However, it is worth acknowledging that during this period, there were visible improvements in the lives of people, and the nation was able to establish a new constitution.
In order to have a well-rounded discussion on Zimbabwe's political dynamics, it is crucial that we delve into how the ZANU Pf system operates. By doing so, we can assess the wider implications and gain a deeper understanding of the situation at hand.”
No one is denying that Zanu PF is a ruthless and tyrannical regime. What you are clearly failing to see and appreciate is that the GNU was the only time the regime did not have its carte blanche dictatorial powers. We had the get-out-of-jail card and we failed to play it!
If you have the get-out-of-jail card people want to know why you did not play, why MDC failed to implement even one token reform in five years? To be wittering about how Zanu PF’s “control of state apparatus” is as nonsensical as talking about the 20 m thick jail walls, the razor fence, mine-fields, etc. When you have the get-out-of-jail card you play and walk out of the front gate, who cares about the thick wall?
What is so, so disappointing here is that the men and women the nation would be looking to have the common sense to know what a get-out-of-jail card is about, the nation’s creme de la creme, are the ones wittering about the thick walls even now with the benefit of hindsight.
No wonder the country is a failed state and with so many braindead village idiots we have no snowball in hell chance of ever getting out of this hell-on-earth of our own making. None!