Zimbabwe is a failed state and the country’s failure to provide basic services such as clean water, in this day and age, is symptomatic of a failed state.
“Half of the boreholes in Harare's western and northern districts are contaminated with human waste and could be potentially unsafe sources of drinking water,” reported Bulawayo 24.
“Water samples from boreholes in these areas, heavily relied upon by residents due to erratic municipal water supply, showed traces of sewer and E. coli bacteria, capable of causing water-borne diseases like typhoid and cholera.
“The discovery comes at a time when Harare was grappling with a raging cholera outbreak directly linked to water shortages.
“Harare City Council is presently supplying around 300 megalitres of potable water a day to the city against a demand of 1 200 megalitres.”
By failing to hold free and fair elections in August 2023 Zimbabwe confirmed the country was a pariah state, a failed state incapable of self governing. One of the many signs of a failed state is economic collapse and failure to provide basic needs such as clean water and sewage services.
Zimbabwe has not become a failed state with collapse basic service overnight, the last five or ten years; we have been down this disastrous path ever since the country gained her independence in 1980. Zimbabwe has failed to hold free and fair elections these last 44 years and thus depriving ourselves the benefit of good governance.
For free, fair and credible elections are more than just a basic human right, they are are the essence of good governance. Zanu PF has blatantly rigged elections starting with the 1980 elections and 43 years of this corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF misrule has left the country in economic ruin and political paralysis.
The country’s de facto one-party dictatorship has stifled debate and all meaningful democratic discourse driving out all quality men and women out of politics. And hence the reason there are no quality leaders in the ruling party, Zanu PF, nor in the multitude of opposition parties, 130 of them at the last count.
Zanu PF thugs wanted absolute power and they did not hesitate to betray the “One man, one vote!” promise. It took the nation nearly 20 years for the penny to drop, for the people to realise Zanu PF would never hold free, fair and credible elections and give them a meaningful say in the governance of the country.
So if the nation was to end Zanu PF misrule, the nation must implement the democratic reforms necessary to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. And so the people have risk all, the anger of Zanu PF determined to retain absolute power at all costs, to elect opposition leaders whose primary task was to implement the democratic reforms.
Zanu PF rigged the 2023 elections because MDC/CCC leaders have failed to implement even one token democratic reform in 23 years, including 5 in the GNU. The rigging was so blatant that even AU and SADC, the continental and regional elections observers, known for endorsing dodgy elections in the past, were compelled to condemn the 23 August elections as a flawed and illegal.
The condemnation did not stop Zimbabwe’s corrupt and incompetent opposition, who had participated knowing fully well the process was flawed and that participating would give Zanu PF legitimacy, taking up their share of the gravy train seats and thus force SADC and AU to once again allow Zanu PF to get away with rigged elections.
The nation is not only stuck with this Zanu PF dictatorship for another five years; worst of all, struck with the near certainty of Zanu PF rigging the 2028 elections and thus extending the regime’s rule yet another five more years. There is no end to this!
This is a nightmare which we should have been resolved by 2013, at the latest, in MDC leaders heaved implemented the democratic reforms when they had the golden opportunity to so so during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. There is nothing to make me believe Nelson Chamisa and his CCC friends are going to implement any reforms to ensure 2028 elections are finally free and fair; if they failed to do so during the GNU when they had the trump cards, it is naive to believe they will do so now when Zanu PF hold all the trump cards.
The fight for reforms and stopping Zanu PF rigging the 2028 elections starts with the national realisation that MDC/CCC leaders had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms these last 23 years, especially during the GNU. They have failed to implement even one token reform because they are corrupt and incompetent.
Like it or not, MDC/CCC leaders will never implement the reforms and deliver free, fair and credible elections. We need competent opposition leaders who will implement the reforms or we are stuck with the Zanu PF dictatorship, the failed state and all that entails!
Why did it take Zimbabweans 20 years to risk all and demand democratic changes designed to stop Zanu PF thugs rigging elections? Why has it taken 23 years and counting for the people to realise MDC/CCC leaders are corrupt and incompetent, they will never ever implement any reform?
The ordinary people did not appreciate the importance of “One man, one vote!” in the 1980s no more than they appreciate the importance of democratic reforms now as a basis for good governance. The demand for “Democratic change!” has fallen into everyday usage although many Zimbabweans out there cannot even name one democratic change!
Indeed, the CCC members are now given to calling Nelson Chamisa “Change Champion in Chief!” Change Champion indeed, when MDC/CCC cannot name even one token democratic change they brought in 23 years!
If the povo do not understand what the reforms are about, it is no surprise they have no clue the primary purpose of the GNU was to implement reforms much less that MDC/CCC sold out by failing to implement even one reform. It is little wonder that even after 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, most Zimbabweans still continue to trust CCC leaders to deliver reforms and end the Zanu PF dictatorship.
Zimbabwe is a failed state because we are stuck with the vote rigging Zanu PF thugs, in the first instance. However we would have got rid of the Zanu PF thugs by now if MDC/CCC leaders had not sold out and implemented the reforms. We are still stuck with Zanu PF these last 23 years but only because the people themselves have been slow to realise MDC/CCC leaders are corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless.
So ultimately, Zimbabwe is a failed state because we have an ignorant and naive electorate, so ignorant they do not realise the critical importance of implementing reforms and holding free, fair and credible elections as the prerequisite to good governance.
The ancient Greeks were right, all those 2 500 years ago, when they say democracy - government of the people, by the people and for the people - only works if the people are educated and diligent to hold those in public office to account. Zimbabwe is a failed state because we have one of the most ignorant and naive electorate in human history!
Zanu PF blatantly rigged the August 2023 elections, thanks to CCC leaders selling out on reforms. If we do not do something to get the reforms finally implemented, Zanu PF will blatantly rig the 2028 elections too. And Zimbabwe will remain a failed state unable to provide even the most basic services such as clean water, sewage, education, etc.
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb these last 23 years to elect MDC/CCC leaders into power for the primary purpose they would implement the democratic reforms and stop Zanu PF rigging elections. Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2023 elections precisely because MDC/CCC leaders have failed to implement even one token reform in 23 years, including 5 in the GNU. It beggars belief that many people have yet to accept this simple political reality that MDC/CCC leaders have failed to stop Zanu PF rigging elections.
ReplyDeleteThere really is no hope of a Zimbabwe economic recovery without implementing the reforms and curing ourselves of this curse of rigged elections and bad governance. And yet the hope of any reforms being implemented without replacing the corrupt and incompetent CCC leaders is zero!
43 years of rigged elections is proof enough we have a serious problem here of failing to govern ourselves! Of course, not everyone is concerned, there many for whom it is all water off a duck's back, people like you!
ReplyDelete@ Gambiza
ReplyDeleteYou will keep your faith in Chamisa no matter what, but to what end and purpose? Zanu PF rigged 2023 elections to extend its tyrannical rule, even you cannot pretend that is in the national interest!
@ King Solo
ReplyDelete“Same issue, same message nxaaa. It’s now boring.”
If we do not replace CCC with competent men and women who will implement the reforms then we can be certain that Zanu PF will rig 2028 elections just as the regime rigged 2023 elections. The issue of reforms is not sexy but it is important and this why it must remain on the national agenda, boring or not.
You must be brain dead! How is it possible that you are fuming and frothing from every opening on you body because I am demanding reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging elections and yet you are indifferent to Zanu PF rigging elections these last 43 years and the tragic human suffering that has brought.
ReplyDeleteReforms will remain on the national agenda until they are implemented and Zimbabwe holds its first ever free, fair and credible elections. You can fume and froth all you want! I am here to save the nation and it will be irresponsible to neglect that sacred duty to appease a brain dead nincompoop!
@ Lifestyle Consultant
ReplyDelete“Ko iye ayivepi kana zvaive nyore.”
What matters is the acknowledgement that MDC/CCC leaders have not only failed to implement the democratic reforms in 23 years but, most important of all, they are not going to implement any reforms. The nation must find the competent leaders who will implement the reforms or Zanu PF will rig the 2028 elections and thus perpetuate the dictatorship.
Where I or you or anyone else was during the 23 years is of no consequences. Focus on the task before you - to stop Zanu PF rigging 2028 and thus perpetuate the dictatorship!
@ King Solo
ReplyDelete“Write this straight to zanu pf leadership not us.”
Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2023 elections because MDC/CCC leaders not only sold out by failing to implement even one token reforms in 23 years but worse still have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed. There are many on this group who have failed to hold MDC/CCC leaders to democratic account for selling out or worse still given them their political support throughout the 23 years. I am holding these people to account!
“Bitterness haunting you.”
ReplyDeleteAfter 43 years of Zanu PF rigging elections, the last 23 years because of MDC/CCC leaders selling out by failing to implement reforms and participating in flawed elections out of greed, any one with half a brain would be furious at the carry-on.
The prospect of Zanu PF rigging the 2028 election is real and unthinkable. No stone should be left unturned in the effort to get the reforms finally implemented.
But if you are a dimwit, it is another matter; another rigged election will just be water off a duck’s back for a dimwit! Bitterness! What bitterness? How can a dimwit be bitter over matters he has no clue what they are about.
We both know you have no clue what constitute free and fair elections much less the consequences of rigged elections. You do not even know what is in your own interest! You never will, you do not have the intellect! At least you are some sense in hiding you true identity behind no name - even the stupid have a sense of shame!
@ Gambiza
ReplyDelete“Fortunately or unfortunately he is the only hope, actually in Zim politics, it's either you support Zanu or Chamisa, the rest is just a waste of time.
Supporting CCC knowing fully well they have sold out on reforms and are participating in flawed elections to perpetuate the dictatorship is foolish, especially after 23 years.
The nation has risked all to elect MDC/CCC leaders into power to stop Zanu PF rigging elections and ending the dictatorship. Zanu PF has retained all its vote rigging dictatorial powers. The primary task was stopping Zanu PF rigging the elections and task is more urgent now than ever!
To stubbornly continue to support corrupt and incompetent CCC who are now working hard to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship is insane. But comes as no surprise given we have some of the most ignorant and stupid electorate in the world.
“Actually in Zim politics, it's either you support Zanu or Chamisa, the rest is just a waste of time!”
Actually, Zanu PF has created a political system in which all meaning debate and democratic discourse have been stifled. The system will never ever produce quality leaders both in the ruling party and opposition. Our political system is nothing short of a sewage pond, you will never catch quality fish there, and hence the reason why we need to implement sweeping democratic reforms. Reforms are about draining the sewage pond and refill it with clean water.
To pick CCC as being better than Zanu PF is no different from picking crabs over shrimp knowing fully well they are both from the sewage pond! 23 years of supporting MDC/CCC have brought not change, we are still stuck with the sewage pond and both the crabs and shrimp are the only ones thriving. How anyone would consider this a solution beggars belief. But then, there are some who have developed a taste for sewage pond crabs and shrimps! You can not reason with them on the advantages of clean water crabs, shrimps and lots and lots of quality fish!
@ Gambiza
ReplyDelete“We believe one day he and the rest of the Zimbabwe will finally get a democratic way around this as did HH after enduring ages of trying.”
How naive! MDC/CCC failed to implement even one token reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU because Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office, the ministerial limos, the generous salaries and allowances, a US$4 m mansion for Tsvangirai, etc. And in return, MDC leaders kicked reforms out of the window.
Ever since the GNU MDC/CCC leaders have participating in flawed elections knowing fully well that their participation would only give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship. Still they participated because they also knew that Zanu PF was offering a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate. You don’t believe me, here is what David Coltart said on the matter.
“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.
Even after SADC and AU condemned the 2023 elections as a farce, CCC leaders still went on to take up their gravy train seats; proof they do not care how flawed the election process gets as long as they get a few gravy train seats!
“We believe one day he and the rest of the Zimbabwe will finally get a democratic way around this!” Only the brain dead would say this especially after 23 years, of MDC/CCC on the political stage, including 5 years in the GNU, but with not even a token reform implemented! But then it also explains why Zimbabwe is a failed state; we have more than our fair share of brain dead citizens!
@ T -one
ReplyDeleteYou still do not get it, do you! Zanu PF formed their own party promising "one man, one vote!" but betrayed that promise to secure the de facto one party state.
The people have risked all these last 23 years to elect MDC/CCC leaders into office on the promise they would implement the democratic changes necessary to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office; the ministerial limos, the very generous salaries and allowances, US$ 4 m mansion for Save himself, etc., etc. And the MDC leaders returned the favour by kicking all the reforms out of the window.
Ever since the GNU MDC/CCC leaders have participated in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed. They knew Zanu PF was giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate. Even after SADC and AU denounced the 2023 election as a farce, CCC still went ahead and took up their grey train seats thus tacitly endorsing the flawed elections process and contradicting SADC and AU.
Zimbabwe is a failed state precisely because we have failed to hold free and fair elections, a prerequisite for good governance! We have been stuck with this corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship for 43 years, the last 23 years of which the regime has stayed in power because MDC/CCC sold out.
“Bambo itayi mushe mhani form your own damn party and implement your own damn reforms,” you say.
Does this mean you approve of Zanu PF and CCC selling out and betraying the nation by denying the ordinary people their right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country? After all they each formed their own party, a licence to do as they please.
Every one who holds public office must uphold the freedoms and rights of all the citizens and must be democratically accountable to the people for what they do in office regardless of whether they formed their own political party or not.
Zanu PF and CCC leaders are accountable for conniving to deny povo their right to free and fair elections. And whilst the two parties hold public office they must be pressured to ensure the reforms are implemented and we put an end to the curse of rigged elections and bad governance.
The number one challenge of this generation is to implement the democratic reforms and end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Focus on that task!
@ Shumba
ReplyDelete“Winery, I don't think we need to appoint a competent leader, we choose from those who avail themselves.
Why are we naive ,avail offer oneself for leadership and the people become the baro of approval.
The reason we are a failed state is that GOOD leaders don't offer themselves vanotoda kuemberwa kuti pindayi muring.”
If there was the Albert Einstein of good governance in Zimbabwe, would he/she have
a) participated in the 2023 election?
b) how would he/she fared?
No one in their right mind would participate in an election process so flawed and illegal there is no verified voters’ roll, voters are frog matched to attend Zanu PF rallies and to vote, etc. Only a village idiot would claim they have “plugged all the vote rigging loop holes” when they could not even deploy election agents at all polling station even when they had received funding for it!
Mnangagwa and Zanu PF were bound to “win” the 2023 elections, this was obvious from the word go. Chamisa and company knew the process was flawed and participating would only give Zanu PF legitimacy. Still they participated out of greed and knew it all along.
“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.
What is more there is no Zimbabwean with half a brain who did not know that CCC sold out on implementing democratic reforms and have been participating in these flawed elections out of greed. If one is half a shilling and has no clue MDC/CCC has sold out, readily believed the nonsense that Chamisa had plugged all the vote rigging loop holes, etc., etc. then, no doubt, half-shilling would have participated in the flawed 2023 elections only to give Zanu PF legitimacy.
Zimbabwe is a failed nation because the electorate are ignorant and naive, so ignorant they have elected buffoons as leaders and, in their ignorance, they are hell bent on keeping the the buffoons in power. The half-shilling electorate are convinced Nelson Chamisa and his CCC friends are all the nation needs to end the Zanu PF dictatorship even after 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, of the opposition blundering from pillar to post and not even a token reform implemented! The half-shilling will not recognise Albert Einstein because it takes common sense to see genius, if you are half-shilling you do not have common sense!