Goodson Nguni surfaced from nowhere with his outfit called the Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations, a Zanu PF aligned movement. Never heard of before, the organisation was parroting the usual Zanu PF line: sanctions are hurting the country and the MDC-T was to blame for violence.
Nguni, also fronting the All Africa Non-Governmental Organisations, a coalition of supposed Pan-African civil society organisations, held a press briefing where he demanded that elections be held so political normalcy could be restored in Zimbabwe.
The Zanu PF activist was not alone in this charade, in tow was the Affirmative Action Group (AAG), which also was singing from the same hymn book. Once considered an independent black empowerment group, the AAG has found itself firmly tucked in Zanu PF’s back pocket and its independence totally eroded.
A trend has developed in Zimbabwe, whereby previously unknown NGOs and political parties spring out of the blue to champion Zanu PF propaganda ahead of elections, major summits and events.
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Party-aligned NGOs not a new phenomenon
Not long ago, Zimbabweans had become accustomed to hearing of Obadiah Msindo and his Destiny of Afrika Network.
With more than generous state media coverage, Msindo was soon all over the place, predictably singing praises of the former liberation movement and denouncing the west.
Just as he appeared from nowhere, Msindo vanished into thin air, with criminal accusations accompanying him into oblivion.
More recently a militant outfit has emerged, seeking to empower the youth.
While denying their links to Zanu PF, the group, Upfumi Kuvadiki’s message has dovetailed rather conveniently with the former liberation party’s indigenisation theme.
Upfumi Kuvadiki has approached the City of Harare and various companies in a barbed manner, demanding to be awarded tenders and contracts.
Not to be outdone, the obscure Millionaires Cash Flow Club, was also launched recently amid pomp, fanfare and generous coverage from the state media.
This all but gave out the secret of the foundations of the club. Only last week another previously unknown outfit, the Anti-Sanctions Trust marched to Finance minister Tendai Biti’s office demanding that he sign the so-called anti-sanctions petition.
Zanu PF is behind the petition where it calls for Western governments to lift travel restrictions on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle.
Analysts said this had become a trend in Zimbabwe and these organisations could be meant to confuse the electorate ahead of major regional summits and elections.
They pointed out that this developed with the formation of unknown parties ahead of elections.
In 2008 various parties surfaced ahead of the elections, only to disappear after the polls.
Among these parties was William Gata’s Christian Democratic Party and the Zimbabwe People’s Party, fronted by Justine Chiota.
These two parties surfaced ahead of the elections and once they failed to register the candidacy for the presidential poll, they tucked their tails in between their feet and disappeared into thin air.
