State of the nation – Reality bites – Jera

Mqondisi Moyo has formed a new party, called Mthwakazi Republic Party, whose goal is to create a break-away state from Midlands and Matebeleland. Moyo says that the people of the region were never consulted when the Republic of Zimbabwe was created. Moyo also cites the segregation of people from Matebeleland and Midlands as another reason for seeking divorce from the ‘failed state’ of Zimbabwe. The party intends to rebury the victims of Gukurahundi and to commemorate the massacres annually.

In spite of Moyo’s assertions, it is hard not to see that the MNP is formed on tribal basis. Women are largely excluded from business, as are persons with disabilities. Should these groups also seek their own independent state? If MNP genuinely wish to uplift the lives of people, they should instead lobby the government for increased development in Matebeleland. If indeed MRP’s intentions are noble, it makes more sense to support existing opposition parties whose ideology matches theirs because each new party only means a weaker opposition and stronger Zanu (PF). What might be a huge stumbling block to the realisation of Moyo’s Mthwakazi dream is that a national referendum would be required before a break-away can be achieved. Because the core principles of the MRP appear tribal, it is likely that his party would be outnumbered.

Robert Mugabe is attributed with promoting unity and peace. A superficial peace has been achieved by the use of force. The advent of secessionist parties – Matebeleland Liberation Organisation, Patriotic Union of Matebeleland, Matebeleland Liberation Front and now Mthwakazi Republic Party – is a result of long harboured grievances, mostly related to the unresolved issue of Gukurahundi. Zanu (PF) has, for decades, pretended that Gukurahundi did not happen. Those responsible for the atrocities were rewarded with medals and promotions.

The 1987 Unity Accord is inadequate in that it was only a handshake between Mugabe and Nkomo, while those at grassroots level, who endured the murderous Fifth Brigade, were neither compensated nor publicly acknowledged. History still labels former Zipra freedom fighters as ‘dissidents’ and Matebeleland lags behind in development. The likes of Lookout Masuku, ex Zipra commander, are still considered as ‘insurgents’ while the late Solomon Mujuru, his Zanla counterpart, is regarded as a gallant fighter, meriting a hero’s burial.

New vision for Zvayi

Joblessness has been like a new pair of spectacles for suspended Herald editor, Caesar Zvayi. In a Facebook update, the disgraced Zanu (PF) shoe kisser, once blind to the flaws of Mugabe, writes about the dilapidated state of the roads, power shortages and lawlessness of kombi drivers, before ending with ‘it is high time we took people to account.’ If Zvayi hoped to make a difference in society, his opportunity came and went. Instead of using his influential position to highlight these issues, he devoted his time to kissing the shoe (if not worse) of a tyrannical president and slandering Nelson Mandela.

Another Zanu (PF) sympathiser, musician Jah Prayzah (real name Mukudzei Mukombe). has been arrested, ostensibly for wearing camouflage gear but, in truth, for revealing police corruption. Mukombe is known for his sycophantic praise for Mugabe and once said, ‘I wear it (combat gear) to show that I am a fighter and stand for what I believe in. Just like President Mugabe.’ Mukombe was present when an Avondale traffic officer demanded a bribe from his uncle, Gibson Savanhu, who later lodged an official complaint. The reaction of ZRP was to transfer 33 members of the Avondale traffic unit to different stations and to arrest the singer.

Senior Assistant Commissioner, Charity Charamba’s explanation for the transfers is that they are ‘in line with the organisation’s policy.’ Charamba’s face-saving explanation would be believable if it was two or three officers transferred – but 33 is a large number. Regarding police corruption Charamba said, ZRP will ‘swiftly descend on the culprits and sternly take appropriate disciplinary measures.’ Transferring dirty cops to different stations hardly constitutes ‘sternly taking appropriate measures.’ With unemployment exceeding 80%, it should not be difficult to replace corrupt cops. Meanwhile the 33 dirty cops are free to demand bribes elsewhere.

It is illegal for civilians to wear military attire, but what is strange is that Mukombe has previously performed at Zanu (PF) events, bedecked in his trademark army gear. Zanu (PF) along with their corrupt security personnel have no time for sentiment. Mukombe joins the ever-growing line of publicly humiliated party sympathisers – Masimirembwa, Muchechetere, Zvayi – that have been used and discarded like a prophylactic, after their use has run out.

Going to the chapel

Kereke; noun. A place of worship.

Bikita West Member of Parliament, Munyaradzi Kereke has claimed that Vice President Mujuru, senatorial aspirant Gideon Gono and the head of the dreaded CIO, Happyton Bonyongwe want to kill him. Kereke alleges that Bonyongwe accepted money siphoned by Gideon Gono from the RBZ and fears that Gono’s prosecution will ultimately lead to his own downfall. If the Gono-Kereke saga were a movie, it would be a thriller. But in a country where army trucks have ‘accidentally on purpose’ flattened many who were regarded as threats to the state, the finale may include sombre organ music and a black suit visit to the chapel.

Free at last!

The secretary for information media and broadcasting, George Charamba said government will soon abolish ZBC listeners’ licenses. Only a month ago, Charamba was one of the voices making empty threats about the purchase of sophisticated equipment capable of detecting motor cars without radio licenses at the country’s tollgates. An opinion piece in the governmental mouthpiece, The Herald, raised another moronic idea of motorists compulsorily buying radio licenses at renewal of quarterly vehicle licenses with ZINARA. Thank goodness none of that matters anymore. Perhaps the masses, oppressed for so long, will be encouraged by this one small victory. It is not clear how the ZBC will survive without the revenue from licenses but, quite frankly, nobody cares. We should have a national holiday, marking the end of 34 years of ZBC licenses.

Till next week. My pen is capped. Jerà