Zanu (PF) at crossroads

Chipo Bizeki (11 November 2009)

Humankind is born to times that he can not change for the more times seem to evolve, the more they remain the same, so-said a certain journalist who, in his moment of true inspiration, must have had Zanu (PF) in mind.

The party’s propensity for self-destruction is legendary as it appears to have mastered the art of committing the same cardinal transgression with dire consequences and emerging less the wiser. The notoriety of brilliant and mediocre progeny, expelled or departing voluntarily due to factionalism, is that it has always returned to haunt the party.

Its current nemesis, the MDC-T Treasurer General and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, Roy Leslie Bennett, was a regular contributor to the former’s coffers when he was running Vuka, Tengwe, Mushi Park and Wingate Estates in Karoi during the early nineties.

An ex-BSAP Patrol Officer, force number 9358, Bennett relocated to Chimanimani where he metamorphosed and earned the respect of Zanu (PF) grassroots membership through various community projects.

Touted often as a stronger contender for a leadership position within the party, Shadreck Beta, the late Manicaland provincial chairman conspired with his brother, Misheck, in 1999 to disqualify Bennett from contesting the latter in the Zanu (PF) primaries on allegations that he was not a card-carrying member.

“Pachudu” Bennett, together with some Zanu (PF) members including Pishai Muchauraya, the MDC-T Manicaland provincial organizing secretary, defected to MDC, when it was formed, where Bennett went on to defeat imposed Munacho Mutezo in the June 2000 Parliamentary election for Chimanimani constituency.

If only Zanu (PF) had let the popular candidate stand, there would have been one nemesis less to contend with!

Edgar Tekere (ZUM) sacked in 1988, Margaret Dongo (ZUD) 1995, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MDC) 1999 and Simba Makoni (Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn) 2008 are among a growing list of former ardent supporters who have differed “in a major way” with Zanu (PF). They were all made by the Party whose lack of foresight has seen them return as a thorn in the flesh.

Sarah Mahoka, the Zanu (PF) Mashonaland West provincial women’s league deputy chairperson, stands on the threshold of political prominence or obscurity.

She is involved in a protracted battle with political heavy weights such as Webster Shamu and Ignatius Chombo for daring to contest Sabina Mugabe in the September 2009 national women’s league conference.

Although Mugabe never proffered her candidacy owing to health considerations, Mahoka is under suspension, a situation that has precipitated threats of an exodus from the party as grass root has rallied in solidarity with her against perceived political persecutors.

What was clearly a manifestation of democracy has been corrupted to denote insubordination. Yet Mahoka’s victory against the heavies, although it may pass off as a chink in steel amour, could have a telling effect on the future of the latter.

However, what lands a new albeit sinister twist to her case is the ethnic and even regional element that has been brought into play. Apparently, Mahoka is alien in the region as she is not a Zezuru, the predominant ethnic group in Mashonaland West.

In the same vein, Hubert Nyanhongo, the Harare South House of Assembly member, recently lost battle for the chairmanship of Harare metropolitan to Ambassador Amos Midzi-led faction whose membership comprise David Karimanzira, the metropolitan governor, seke mutema Tendai Savanhu, a politburo member and Christopher Chugumba, who landed the deputy chairmanship, among others.

The demise of Nyanhongo, who commands popular support despite hailing from Manicaland province, follows a blatant declaration by powerful politicians that Harare province will never be run by any other ethnic group as it is a Zezuru domain. My foot!

Paul Mangwana, the Zanu (PF) legislator for Chivi Central who co-chairs the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitution making with Douglas Mwonzora, learnt the hard way that home is best when he was banished from Mashonaland West to Masvingo as part of plans to create safe constituencies for the “hommies.”

This has prompted some quarters to question the sincerity of the party in calling for the scrapping of tribally connotative regional names as some among its leadership, like Adolf Hitler’s Arian super race policy, continue to entertain thoughts of a super ethnic group.

Where is the wisdom of establishing ethnic and regional fiefdoms in the administration of the country? Where does that leave the Karangas, Manyikas or Ndebeles?

Are these ethnic groups and tribes less human and therefore unworthy of elevation to positions of leadership despite proving their worth? Should they shudder at the mention of the “super tribe” just like Hutus inspired trepidation among Tutsis and moderates among the former during the Rwandan Genocide?

Then, maybe the Ndebele tribe will have a genuinely apparent reason to fear Zanu (PF), considering the country’s chequered history not just on race but tribal relations as well.

Yet the unwitting authors of this shallow and narrow script are set on a path to self-destruction because most Zimbabweans have learned that such divisive antics and empire-building precede internal strife and anyone advocating for such mayhem does not deserve public office but belongs in jail for premeditating crimes against humanity.

Zanu (PF) does not deserve the predictable demise of revolutionary parties across Africa that have failed to adapt because this would usher unchecked MDC or M/K/D dominance and denote another nail in democracy’ coffin.