Zanu PF learns bitter lesson in Parly polls without restitution

Columnists
Zanu PF was taught a bitter lesson when they  lost the election of Speaker of the House of Assembly on March 29.  In their misguided wisdom, Zanu PF, led by political turncoat Prof Jonathan Moyo, thought it wise to arrest the likes of Minister Elton Mangoma, who had already been granted bail,  in a bid to reduce the MDC numbers in Parliament. Little did they know   that some  Zanu PF parliamentarians would also vote for the MDC candidate.

Having successfully removed Lovemore  Moyo from the speakers’ position, many in the MDC thought Prof Moyo was going to be the candidate for Zanu PF. It would have been a better and even sweeter victory had Lovemore Moyo contested against the professor. But that was not to be.

The nullification of the initial result in which Lovemore Moyo had won, hands down, was the clearest example of how Africans refuse to accept defeat in an election, Cote d’Ivoire  being a case in point. Libya is another  example of a leadership that’s refusing to accept that the very same people it purports to be leading no longer want it. The fact of the matter is that even though we went to war to fight against colonialism, segregation and all the evils we went through, we are going to pass on and leave the country in the hands of our children. What we will leave behind is our history and that of our beloved country. We cannot cling onto power as if we will continue to rule the country from our graves.

Since elections are likely going to be held this year, it would be important for MDC  to clearly show the electorate that they have beaten Zanu PF in many elections and that this time it’s no different. MDC is better advised to set-up its own radio station, television website etc, to ensure that they tell their success story to the electorate as they are barred from the national broadcaster ZTV.

The point is; let’s respect the will of the people and respecting an election result is one such way.

Lastly, putting leg irons on a crippled person like Hon Mangoma made me wonder what exactly the authorities were trying to prove. Did they think he would run away? Let’s treat each other with dignity and respect. More so our ministers, for the tide will surely turn.

McDonald Lewanika