Source: Mugabe is a lesson to those in power – DailyNews Live
2 December 2017
HARARE – At the height of his power, former president Robert Mugabe was
elevated to deity status, his opponents were wantonly thrown into prison
under the country’s nefarious laws such as Criminal Codification, and in
Zanu PF he would fire his subordinates at the snap of a finger.
Indeed absolute power corrupts absolutely.
But that all came to an end last week and now Zimbabwe has a new
dispensation, a timely reminder to all and sundry that all things, great
or small, ugly or beautiful, right or wrong will come to an end.
His family, from his wife to his obscenely rich sons, who have never
worked in their lives, were also just as powerful and flaunted their
ill-gotten wealth with little regard to the suffering masses, but as
things stand, the net is closing in on them and soon they might be made to
account for every penny they might have externalised.
The lesson inherent in the fall of Mugabe is that those in power now
should not abuse it because when the tide of time and people stand up and
demand answers they too would be made to account for their deeds or
misdeeds.
Mugabe is a lesson to those in power and those who seek power that the
laws of the country will always remain supreme, for even though the former
president enjoyed immunity during his time in office now he faces trial
for acts he might have committed or omitted during his 37-year reign.
From the Gukurahundi atrocities of the 1980s where an estimated 20 000
people lost their lives, to the 2008 election violence in which the MDC
claims scores of its supporters were murdered by State agents, Mugabe is
now pressed to provide answers, unless the system that ousted him chooses
to let bygones be bygones.
Of course, he might be lucky as his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa
calls him father but his wife Grace and their sons might not be so lucky
and might end up in prison.
As one legislator once said those in power now should start renovating the
country’s prisons for who would have ever imagined the once high-flying
Ignatius Chombo behind bars as is the case now.
Those in power should always be guided by the law and exercise their power
within the precincts of law otherwise when things change, they too might
be in Chombo’s shoes.
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