They know the desperation of our President but they are prepared to continue praising him even if this would lead to his downfall.
The fact that the President has allowed corruption to take root within his party coupled with his inability to act against culprits, even where they are known, is his greatest undoing. Opportunists within Zanu PF have now hijacked the formerly mighty party, leaving it a pale shadow of its former self.
Of course, it must have been sweet music in the ears of the President to hear that all those who attended the anti-sanctions event were not forced but did so on their own volition. But we know better — the opposite is true.
Presentations from the business community, church leaders, war veterans, traditional leaders, hand-picked individual Zanu PF apologists and politicians gave the President a false sense of security as they all praised the anti-sanctions drive.
Among the praise-singers who fell over each other for recognition by Mugabe were some church leaders like Mtendi Charumbira. However, Media and Information minister Webster Shamu outshined them all by referring to Mugabe as “Cremora”.
To the President, I say your lieutenants are using you to cover-up their ills. Rest assured that not all those who attended the launch of the anti-sanctions campaign came willingly.
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Shops in town were closed for security reasons. Having witnessed the disturbances which rocked Harare last month, especially at the Gulf Complex, they had every reason to be afraid.
The past decade has witnessed a serious dehumanisation of the Zimbabwean populace and indeed, some lessons have been learnt along the way.
A good brother once told me a story about a mad woman who threatened to smash her helpless child on the ground unless her demands were met. Because the people were more than determined to save the helpless child, they reluctantly agreed to meet her demands, but guess what, after having taken the baby from her hands the deranged woman got thoroughly beaten up.
In the same vein, people will attend Zanu PF rallies, buy party cards, put on their T-shirts and chant their party slogans, but when voting time comes, they will know what to do.
Do not be fooled by the large crowds at your rallies Mr President.
It is only a stubborn grasshopper that ends-up in the gizzard of a cock.
Take heed.
Mamuse Maunganidze, Harare.
