via Tsvangirai under Zanu PF siege – DailyNews Live 27 July 2015
HARARE – Analysts say President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zanu PF are once again waging yet another assault on opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s political career, ahead of the country’s much-anticipated national elections in 2018.
These sentiments come in the wake of successive, but ultimately unsuccessful attempts last week by the Deputy Sheriff — on both occasions in the curious company of riot police and State media — to attach the MDC president’s personal property over a labour dispute involving former party employees whose contracts were terminated in disputed circumstances in August 2010.
Despite the fact that the MDC was armed with a stay of execution order, and that there is no obvious direct link between Tsvangirai and the disaffected former employees, the Deputy Sheriff still attempted on two occasions to take the personal property of the former prime minister in the government of national unity — including vehicles and household furniture, prompting analysts to suspect this as political persecution ahead of 2018.
Virtually all the analysts who spoke to the Daily News on Sunday yesterday fingered Mugabe and Zanu PF in the assaults on Tsvangirai — citing the presence of armed riot police and State media journalists as evidence that the ruling party was intent on “decimating” him completely ahead of the country’s next elections.
Prominent academic Ibbo Mandaza said it was difficult to escape the conclusion that Mugabe wanted Tsvangirai and the MDC annihilated before 2018, and that the former premier was therefore “a hunted man”.
He said there was little doubt that Mugabe had a lot of scores to settle with Tsvangirai and would thus not miss an opportunity to embarrass him.
“The question that would be asked is who is behind the actions of the Deputy Sheriff? It certainly appears political and there are big issues here.
“Just look at the issue of Tsvangirai’s benefits. He is a former prime minister of the country and is entitled to his pension and benefits, just as Ian Smith got his. He (Mugabe) also got his when he became president, but did Tsvangirai get his? No. It tells you there are issues,” Mandaza said.
Zimbabwe Democracy Institute director, Pedzisai Ruhanya, said contrary to claims by Mugabe that Tsvangirai was finished after losing the 2013 elections, the nonagenarian was “still rattled” by the former prime minister’s influence in local politics.
“It is clearly a case of political persecution, especially when you look at how the police were involved in all the drama. It was meant to intimidate Tsvangirai and throw the whole MDC and its structures into disarray ahead of 2018,” Ruhanya said.
However, he warned that Mugabe’s actions were likely to yield the opposite effect of what he wanted to achieve, adding that Tsvangirai’s “persecution” would very likely earn him public sympathy instead.
“History has taught us that Tsvangirai is most effective when he either confronts the State or is confronted by the State. They are making him more relevant by doing that and they know that available scientific evidence shows that Tsvangirai haaperi zvekumhanya. (It’s not easy to destroy him) Since 2002 he has not won less that 1,5 million votes,” Ruhanya said.
He also added that Mugabe was only too aware that Tsvangirai would emerge victorious if he was to contest Mnangangwa, Joice Mujuru or Mugabe himself in 2018.
“Scientifically and quantitatively, Tsvangirai can win against them even in a stage-managed election. He will shock a lot of people like he did after the 2005 split and Zanu PF know that,” Ruhanya said.
Political commentator Maxwell Saungweme said the actions smacked of “political machinations”, arguing that law enforcement agents were supposed to draw a line between different legal personas.
However, Saungweme said there was also room to try and establish if the property that the Deputy Sheriff sought to attach did not belong to the MDC.
“You cannot rule out political games at play but one also needs not to be naive to think that Tsvangirai owned the 22 cars that were reportedly parked at his house. So to me we need to tread carefully and have all the facts,” Saungweme said.
Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, said the attempts to attach the veteran opposition leader’s property merely indicated that Zanu PF was “running scared”.
“Zanu PF is in panic mode and everyone can see that, as they unfortunately and unwittingly confirm that he is a powerful brand in Zimbabwe.
“It is ridiculous that they said Morgan Tsvangirai was politically finished on 31 July 2013, but if he is a spent force, is he still worth all this effort (against him)?” Tamborinyoka asked.
COMMENTS
This is very good for Tsvangirai. It draws sympathy from bystander apolitical potential voters like me. Smith unwittingly did that against the so called “communist” Mugabe, and you did not need to be a rocket scientist to know that with such persecution, he was the one to vote for, and the bishop was ditched! Now Tsvangirai, whom I have not really been following, has all the publicity and sympathy he needs, including from Chinotimba. Same is happening with all the Mujuru witchcraft talk, unbelievable stories emanating from the highest office? Never thought that could be possible, but here we are….with accusations that never see a day in a court of law. Cry my beloved Zimbabwe.
Iam at pains to phantom how Tsvangirai can get sympathy from honest political supporters on account of him being on the wrong side of law. Tsvangirai always claim to fight for the rule of law hence the law must be allowed to take its course regardless of one’s political standing full stop.
Makotsi, what law are talking about that must take its course? kkkkkkkkk. zanu pf law you mean.
Tsvangirai should pay those workers. Ps, when the Sherriff approaches your property to attach your effects, there is usually a police escort. I speak from experience because I have used them before. The presence of the media is simply because he is a public figure and journalists would be journalist. When I attached a debtor’s property, there were no journalists, because lets face it, no one could give a rats ass about my life. Tsvangirai is a different prospect all together.
Tsvangirai leads the only opposition that gives Zanu PF sleepless nights. That is why the ruling party comes up with all these crazy ideas to try and embarrass him. When the Sheriff attaches property he does not need to be accompanied by riot police.
If we are ever going to be a true democracy an opposition is essential and should be encouraged because that is the only sure way refine the country’s policies. I an surprised by Zimbabweans who think Zanu PF.
Makotsi! You are talking of the law, but don’t forget that the law must be impartialy applied. Your mugarbage is blocking attachement of PSMAS property. This is just one of many cases were mugarbage has violeted the law to his advantage. So don’t mention law. Infact most of court outcomes, are influenced by him. That is typical dictatorship.
Recent attempts to dislodge Tsvangirai of his “personal cars” is the work of the much dreaded counter-intelligence-unit . They may be working on a staged car coupe,and inorder for them to succeed wil need to master all vehicles used by the MDC leader. Lets read between the lines guys!!!
It might not be possible that Tsvangirai owned ’22 cars’. However considering history and the ammount of energy exihbited by the deputy sheriff clearly indicates a big political motive from someone. There are so many cases in which the deputy sheriff should look into. This case involves people who were working for a political party, Presumably these people were party members, if they were genuine MDC.T suppoters they should have not taken this issue to courts of law. Zanoo pf extorts companies to fund it’s evil activities. In instances were is the long arm of the law. I am convinced that there are some people who have been made to believe that zanoo pf is government.