via Mujuru is no victim 19 November 2014 by Vince Musewe
Dictatorships survive because of those who prop up the dictator and do nothing while enjoying the spoils of high office.
I remember well when Thabo Mbeki fired Jacob Zuma for corruption. He was (mistakenly) seen as a victim and there was widespread sympathy for him. The likes of Julius Malema even swore they would die for Zuma and Cosatu did all it could to ensure that he prevailed. Now they all regret because they were wrong. They backed Zuma on the wrong principle. In my opinion, mass sympathy is the worst means of judging or electing leaders.
We face the same danger here in Zimbabwe by sympathising with Joice Mujuru as a victim, but I want to argue that she has been complicit in creating the very circumstances that have led to where we are as a country – and where she is today.
I am not saying that what is happening within Zanu (PF) is commendable – but we must never forget that the party remains a broad church of cowards and pseudo-revolutionaries who are glued together by the thirst for power, the fear of change and insatiable greed.
As a Vice President Mujuru cannot defend the accusation that she has used her office to amass personal wealth, they all do that. There is even a joke that if you want to make money, first see what the VP is growing on the farms she grabbed and no doubt a profitable price for whatever she is growing will be announced by government just before harvest time.
Mujuru has added not an iota of value to our quest for freedom. She has sat next to Mugabe and enjoyed high office without responsibility. I have asked many what exactly she has done for us and all I hear is her contribution during the struggle. Others who certainly did more than her have not been recognised.
Dictatorships survive because those how prop up the dictator do nothing while enjoying the spoils of high office. The likes of Mujuru cannot claim immunity from all that has happened to destroy this economy, create poverty and lead to millions of talented, self-respecting Zimbabweans to leave their motherland.
Whether she survives the chop or not will not make any difference to the state of our nation. The masses tend to have a very short memory and have forgotten that Mujuru remains complicit in their oppression.
We quickly forget that she survived working with Mugabe because she supported him all the way throughout the years and said nothing. We cannot now paint her as a saint or a victim while we condemn what Mugabe has done to this country. As Vice President, she is severally and jointly liable for her acts of omission or commission in the tyranny that has devastated so many lives.
Let us not forget how she vociferously objected to Strive Masiyiwa getting a cell phone licence – no doubt because she wanted a piece of the action. There are many deals that I have heard of where her name has continually come up. The interesting fact is that Mujuru has never refuted any of the deals that have been mentioned.
At times like this we will make the mistake at looking at circumstances and siding with “victims’’. But Mujuru is no victim. I certainly don’t want a President who is unscrupulous and corrupt. That is what has killed Africa’s potential and we are where we are today as a society because of the leadership, or lack thereof, of Mugabe and his VPs.
Others say Mnangagwa is no better and is actually worse. Even if that is correct, it does not make Mujuru better nor does it resolve the questions around her integrity. If Zanu (PF) cannot provide a better leader, then it is up to us to dismiss them in 2018 and we ought to be gripped with that now as opposed to being entertained with what is really a political show of no benefit to the economic and social problems that we face.
There is no doubt that Mugabe has overstayed his welcome. But as a country we have had enough of Zanu (PF) and as long as they remain the sole custodians of our future, we are never going to see the Zimbabwe we want in this lifetime.
2018 is therefore going to be very important for all of us. We can either continue to support a political party that has proved beyond reasonable doubt that it is in power not for our benefit, but for the benefit of a predatory cabal with no sense of responsibility or interest in the eradication of poverty or the establishment of social justice and equity. Or we can choose to take Zimbabwe on a new path.
Vince Musewe is an economist and author based in Harare. You can contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com
COMMENTS
As usual for Vince, a very perspicacious editorial. Why oh why aren’t the Opposition parties taking advantage of this mayhem in the Zanu ranks? As I’ve said before, if they really care about the fate of Zimbabwe and its people, they should be coming together to annihilate these demons and worry about who gets what post AFTER the job is done! It is sad and pathetic that it seems they are all no better than Zanu – all these ‘leaders’ want is power and self-aggrandizement! And why have none of these parties addressed questions to the West, UN, Sadc etc. about the legitimacy of the 2002 elections and Mugabe’s continued destruction of our Country, after the recent revelations (which were common knowledge but unproven) of those polling results? It is high time that a plausible group of formerly ”non-politicians” got together to give the electorate a real alternative. Look at what is happening in the UK – a former small and often-derided party, UKIP, is making great strides against the established parties because they are offering to make the changes that the majority of British want. Lets go Zimbabwe!!!
100% correct. It is long overdue for the MDC to take a more positive role. Why the hell all the opposition parties can’t get together as one and totally destroy ZPF once and for all.
Hi Angie, I am sure that what you already know is that the “dog eat dog” scenario is not only in the zanupf kennel but in all the kennels in Zimbabwe where power struggles for “TOP DOG” are ensuing in a furious fight which is normal for Africa and once again they are all “fiddling while Zim is burning”.
I believe Vince is on the button with this article, and as this moronic woman who is meant to be our first lady has burst her way into politics after never contributing anything to the welfare of the nation and only been interested in herself. The problem here is that the dog fight between this “hateful grace” and “corrupt joyce” produces a favorite to win and it seems that ‘cj’ is getting support because everyone hates ‘hg’ more! So one finds themselves backing one more than the other and they are both as evil as the other. We should be fueling this fight to bring them both down and watch them destroy each other and zanupf once and for all. There is no way another evil of zpf will be accepted as a leader in this country.
In regard to the other countries trying to sort out the 2002 election fiasco or the 2008 or the 2013 joke is not going to happen but what we MUST ask the world is to help us ensure that the voters roll is redone correctly as well as the 2016 election must be swarmed with observers from all countries and we are given the right to vote unhindered and unafraid.
In regard to an ideal party for Zimbabwe we must give “Transform Zimbabwe” a good look. I like what they stand for. They have a Christian foundation and have the bigger vision for our country which includes all races.
Sorry….2018 election..
Hi Angie, I am sure that what you already know is that the “dog eat dog” scenario is not only in the zanupf kennel but in all the kennels in Zimbabwe where power struggles for “TOP DOG” are ensuing in a furious fight which is normal for Africa and once again they are all “fiddling while Zim is burning”.
I believe Vince is on the button with this article, and as this moronic woman who is meant to be our first lady has burst her way into politics after never contributing anything to the welfare of the nation and only been interested in herself. The problem here is that the dog fight between this “hateful grace” and “corrupt joyce” produces a favorite to win and it seems that ‘cj’ is getting support because everyone hates ‘hg’ more! So one finds themselves backing one more than the other and they are both as evil as the other. We should be fueling this fight to bring them both down and watch them destroy each other and zanupf once and for all. There is no way another evil of zpf will be accepted as a leader in this country.
In regard to the other countries trying to sort out the 2002 election fiasco or the 2008 or the 2013 joke is not going to happen but what we MUST ask the world is to help us ensure that the voters roll is redone correctly as well as the 2016 election must be swarmed with observers from all countries and we are given the right to vote unhindered and unafraid.
In regard to an ideal party for Zimbabwe we must give “Transform Zimbabwe” a good look. I like what they stand for. They have a Christian foundation and have the bigger vision for our country which includes all races.
Well said Vince, you have hit the nail on the head. I my short commentary yesterday I did make exactly the same point.
I may want to add that, it is rather bizarre that so far all opposition leaders who have bothered to comment on goings-on in Zanu pf seem to have been fighting to outdo each other in their defense of Mujuru. All of a sudden, Joice is a Saint in their eyes. The big question is why? Did something happen between these guyz & Mujuru (that majority are not aware of) to justify such level of support from opposition camp?
Surely, to my knowledge when the Mabikwas, Chiminyas Tsvangsons, Madhukus,etc were being killed and maimed by zanu pf hoodlums this same Joice never uttered a word of support to the victims, let alone condemnation the murders & maiming if innocent people by zanu pf functionaries. Are these people telling us Joice is innocent of all these zanu pf misdeeds – not to mention corruption & abuse of power.
It’s human nature to feel for someone who is under siege but Vince continue reminding people/us so that pitying for the VP won’t cloud their/our judgement to the extend of thinking that giving her our vote in 2018 will sort of console her.
True Vince. Mwana wenyoka inyoka chete!
Good luck if you think you can vote a Mnangagwa led ZANU PF out of power. I was in Kwekwe during the reign of terror orchestred by him and his allies in the lead up to the 2002 elections. Rest assured that Mnangagwa will be extremely difficult to get out of power. Some of us support Mujuru not because she is a saint, but because her grip on power will not be as tight as Mnangagwa’s. It’s much better to have to only deal with massive corruption, than corruption that comes with extreme cruelty. A single edged sword is easier to deal with than a double edged one. Our support for Mujuru is entirely strategic , there are hardly ever any absolute victories in politics and it is better for us Zimbabweans to get a partial victory now by way of Joyce prevailing, because she will be much easier to deal with tomorrow. Think stratigically my friend!!
Vince ,thanks. What we should do is add more fuel to the fire. The Mdc was in government ,they must bring to light all the corruption that was going on during their watch. Inform the people what all these Zvipfukuto and Gamatox were up to . Even if it might implicate you ,there is nothing to loose now.
True that. But MDC started supping with t6ge devil up to the extent that Biti was npw willing to defend Gono as a lawyer against the very same charges that he used to insist Gono should be shot for.
Well said Vince
You seem to put your hope in 2018. We have put our hope on elections for too long. Waiting for elections is a waste of time….I thought we all agreed we have to go to the streets in early February….if the numbers can come out and have no fear for Zanu atomic energy we can do it. We have this little demon possessed Gabriel who believes Zimbabwe belongs to him causing untold suffering while we sit on the balcony.
Well said Vince. There are no innocents in Zanu plundering fools.
Good job Vince. Dog eat dog in zanu pf.
A good piece of logic, Vince. Mujuru deserves what she is getting. Evil eventually devours those who sup with it.
Dr Do Little: We are waiting for your usual well-informed comment.
You guys have swept me away. I was beginning to feel very lonely. There are times when your emotions get the better of you. Mine have. I am glad they have. Welcome back my friends. Angela you know the respect I have for you. Thanks. VINCE sometimes you out do your self. That is a good quality. We agree and disagree. That makes a big difference. That gives us freedom of expression. Freedom of choice. I don’t know what your choice is. Whether you want to go right into it. The chaos I mean. It is people like you that will bring us through.All the others that have been faithful the time is near. Angela Wigmore we will share the scud. We are Zimbabwean, black, white, brown. We will persevere.
Well summed up Vince. We have a country to rescue, not soap opera actors to favour. Pity we are now comfortable with misery and mediocrity.
I think in a way Vince is right. These are the same people who looked aside when people were being butchered left right and centre not so long ago in 2008 just to make sure that Mugabe stays in power.
This includes people like Gumbo, Sibanda etc who are now finding themselves at the wrong end of the stick.
The problem with Mugabe’s VPs is that they are just there to boast that they are VP but with no sense of responsibility because they see Mugabe as the all knowing. Mujuru for the past ten years has contributed nothing as long as she was safe and secure in her position.
That also means that whoever becomes the next VP will do exactly the same thing just watching as long as Mugabe is in control.
Whilst this has been said and done, we are saddled with these incompetent people for the next few years, I hope not.
@Tinomunamataishe prepare yourself foe a period of DISOBEDIANCE.
Joyce Teurai
Ropa (Spill Blood) Mujuru joined the liberation movement when she was in her
teens and after independence became a minister in Mugabe’s first Zimbabwe
government. She has been in that government in some capacity for the past 34
years. It is understandable that during the war of liberation she was young and
maybe did not quite understand the workings of Zanu her party. All forgivable.
But after 34 years she now looks innocent and vulnerable and she is right to
milk to the last drop all the public sympathy she seems to be getting. She is
now the victim of the party, like millions of other Zimbabweans during the
party’s reign. Her husband who was much older than her knew far much better how
the party operates and has operated in the past. We won’t go into the list of
all the dearly departed who allegedly dropped off the mortal coil due to the
party. Now, if Solomon Mujuru ‘felt safe’ in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe then we got a
problem. He and Joyce were very incompetent and she has presidential ambitions.
Lord have mercy!
If Joyce was to drop dead today, God forbid, what would be her legacy in
government? During her tenure as minister of ‘Whatever’ what did she achieve
for the people of Zimbabwe. In fact what has that lot achieved for Zimbabwe
because everything they have touched has turned to dust. Yet all of them have
become very rich in a sea of poverty. Do they pay tax on their numerous
businesses? No one knows because it is dog eat dog out there. No audits partly
because nearly every accountant wouldn’t dare publish the truth. Bush and Blair
bombed Iraq to smithereens and every contract signed in Iraq benefits American
and British companies and their public. The French who refused to join the
slaughter can’t even get a sniff in. They joined in Libya years later and now
they can get a part of the cake in Libya but not in Iraq. Winner takes all.
Sons and daughters of Zimbabwe died in the DRC war, and the number who
perished, will never be known yet the spoils of that conflict are shipped, yes
you guessed right, to London and Europe. Bloody sanctions, we are told. Like
the French, the ordinary Zimbabweans will never sniff the loot. Zanu has been
at it for 3 decades. Not war but corruption yet all Zimbabweans have been sent
on a guilty trip, “—we fought the war for you and you are not grateful or you
are a traitor—“. An albatross hangs on our neck and like we instil fear
about ‘sin’ to kids and the guilty it brings Zanu has played a blinder with
regards to the ‘war’. Yet all Zimbabweans were involved in war in one form or
another. The first lady is now releasing dynamite on Joyce and she should know.
If she does not know she should give a quick call to Pius Ncube, the bishop or
Tsvangirai. All the dirty tricks happened under her watch. Incidentally,
Tsvangirai should watch out too because he is still guest of honour in their
property! This to the first lady, how low can one go or sink? Tragedy.
With the ‘murder’ of her husband, her word not mine, one expected Joyce to come
out guns blazing. Wishful thinking! Now he is indeed turning in his grave and
seems to be taking vengeance on the wife. Is this what we call ngozi? Poor
soul. I mean the wife! What is her vision of Zimbabwe the country she fought
for and want to lead? In over 30 years never heard her mention the
economy once and I repeat, she wants to be President. Again, how do they run
their ‘businesses’? Mark my words they will soon be seeking asylum not in
Singapore or China but London. They always follow their loot and the British are
always quick to remind us that, “the sun will never set on the British empire”.
Very prophetic, like our own profits/prophets who give false hope to the down
trodden in a nation of despair. We are indeed lions led by asses or should I
say arses? Excuse my French.
Simon M Tozvireva
p/s Why has the Mujuru family been quiet since his death? Reminds me of Michael Jackson’s family who only turned up when there was prospects of making millions because they knew Michael had pressed the self destruct button years before his death. Who was advising?
Vince, you continue to show the country the direction of travel. VP should never be viewed as a victim – never ever. Instead she must turn to the country and say “I now realize what the people of Zimbabwe suffer under ZANU PF” We all deserve to be treated with dignity.
the party (Zanu PF) remains a broad church of cowards and pseudo-revolutionaries who are glued together by the thirst for power, the fear of change and insatiable greed.
exactly
Very true Vince, its now time for those who have been supporting the old guard for years to realize what we have been crying of. Mujuru has been part of this regime for the past 34 yrs and not a single day have we heard Mujuru has objected to some resolutions. They are all going only that some will be the first to leave. After all she has saved her 10 years as VP and in any democracy she was suppose to pass the button to someone else. We have suffered enough under her leadership.
Glad to see so many realise the VP has been part of the dictatorship.We should have no simpathy for her.Never critised any wrogdoing by ZPF.
—-swim on her own.
One can only help those who want to be helped and in the same vain one can forgive those who want forgiveness or those who have repented. And I am not religious at all. Joyce Mujuru, under attack from within, looks very pathetic and we should not lose the bigger picture which is unfolding in that sorry state.
MDC on numerous occasions have been cheated and left looking stupid whenever they gave Zanu the benefit of a little faith. She has been part of this organisation which has caused havoc and mayhem in the opposition ranks. Zanu is sorely responsible for the chaos and decline of the economy and she shares a large part of that responsibility. My worst fear is the MDC supporters and Zimbabweans at large are quietly being softened for a deal with this wretched woman if she is booted out of Zanu. No! MDC rescued Zanu in 2009 by joining the GNU, went to sleep during the next four years, and today they have sweet FA to show for it.
The argument being peddled around is if Mujuru leaves she might be followed by a large number of Zanu MPs who would then force by-elections according to the constitution within a certain period. Remember what Margret Dongo said about the men led by Mugabe? She said they were all women and have no balls. They are not going to cough let alone move their arses. Anyway, yes you read correctly, ‘constitution’. Whose constitution? Over decades she has been at the fore front of ignoring and breaking the nation’s constitution. We cannot leave hyenas to guard the goats unless we are fret of ideas. If by-elections are to take place, who holds the voters’ roll? Who counts the vote? Who guards the polling stations? MDC has to dig deep to come up with solutions which the country needs and not rely on crumbs from Zanu’s top table. To make one mistake is understandable but repeat the same mistake again again is unforgivable. She must be allowed to sink peacefully, like the rest of them. And no one should dare weep.
After the baptism, Michael Corleone in the Godfather decided to go after the rivalries, Barzini, Tattaglia, Mancini, Moe Greene, Luca Brasi and the rest. At this stage nobody is safe within the Zanu factions. No matter how many bodies the Zanu members put behind the door to hold it Mugabe will bulldoze through it because there is no other escape route. Unlike Michael Corleone Mugabe is not going to publicly renounce violence. Evil genius. And the MDC want to be the sandwich between these warring factions? Mugabe can even pretend to love her again and MDC will be fed to the animals, again. This cannot surely be Plan B we have all been waiting for? If it is let’s jog on. Plan C please!
Simon M Tozvireva.
The woman has done nothing for us and the more she suffers at her party’s hands the better for us in the sense that her suffering may help her understand why so many died, left the country and live in fear in the country. As for the opposition, they are like a husband and wife fighting of what they should buy if they win lotto!
I shed no tear as i sit in the shade,
cast by the shed i built for my cart,
pondering, do they care?
I shed no tear for tears went dry when they came wearing shades took away my parents never to return.
I shed no tear siting in the shade cast by a tree my father used to sit all day long pondering, will this end?
Maybe i should shed a tear this might be the shade he wanted to rest when his time came.
Maybe i should shed a tear for i know not which mine they cast his body.
For sure i know their fathers’ remains are sheltered at the heroes acre.
I shed no tear even if she is disgraced maybe i should shed a tear of joy.
I shed no tear for who knows they will make you rejoice like they did to my parents
I will shed no tear even if they come cut down the tree
i will lay down under its branches pondering perhaps the end is nigh.
Perhaps i shared no wisedom
for i shouldn’t be still in the shade
but somewhere fighting to preserve my shed and the tree that cast the shed my father so much reveried.
They still come in shades
i shed NO TEAR!! I am the victim.
I have read some of the comments which have forced me to break my silence on this website.The article is one of the best Vince has written,however he has left some vital points as follows:-
1-He has not mentioned the real causes of our problems which are similar to the S African Zuma issue.The real problem is the illiterate electorate and union supporters who really do not understand politics.Check what is happening in our country except in Matabeleland[peaceful almost zero party disturbances],we see structures of the party being easily changed through funny press statements which are in some cases not 100% correct.This is clear proof of ignorance in how party constitutions are being implemented and it shows how unreliable the electorate we have and the easiness it can be manipulated using childish promises.I would be worried to lead a group of people who lack fundamental principles in life.They change positions as soon as they are promised cheap resources and power.
2-At the moment we have almost zero people who are not corrupt within our society,therefore we should NEVER be sorry with any of them being caught,we should celebrate that at least the number of these looters is decreasing to save at least one dollar for the needy.Those who feel pity for any of these people should not forget that many have died in our country due to preventable diseases and hunger.I read on one of these websites that her daughter was spending about $34 000 per month in UK,which is well over my 4 years pension.Where is justice here my country men and women.
3-It is surprising that when Bulawayo people are busy demonstrating about poor service delivery eg water delivery our brothers and sisters in Mashonaland are busy fighting over positions and other trivial issues as if they have all the daily necessities of life!! Is this not real ignorance beyond description?
4-As long as we have an illiterate electorate, whoever takes over will be easily engineered towards the old system by the corrupt, power hungry and lazy people who survive by using cheap politics.
5-@Blackhammer-I do not get your comments because you have your facts poorly written eg loots in DRC and other countries.Read reports compiled by UN on diamonds loots in DRC and oil revenues usage from these Arab countries before writing comments with half truths.Oil is no longer a commodity to fight for because it is over subscribed internationally.USA has stock piles and reserves to last them for about 25 years or more.These oil producing countries are now failing to meet their annual growth due to low oil prices,sometimes below $80 per barrel.Petrol in S Africa has been reduced by 40 cents per litre.These are facts not guess work.