Zanu PF will forever be very grateful to the Ian Smith regime. The regime which Zanu PF has emulated, left enduring lessons of which the most important ones are the use of terror and outright violence against opponents. Zanu PF has learnt this lesson with a passion and zeal only equalled in religion. The ever-increasing talk of an election has raised political temperatures to unheard of levels as parties gird their loins for the votes. The fact that there were sporadic outbreaks of violence during the referendum is in itself a harbinger of bad things to come. During the March 16 referendum, Zimbabwe’s major political players were in agreement about the “Yes” vote. There was little disagreement about it. REPORT BY WILLY SAUROMBE Just when the coast seemed clear for the referendum, Zimbabweans were jolted from their usual slumber by violence across the country during the referendum. People in Mbare were beaten up by Zanu PF’s youths calling themselves Chipangano. The Prime Minister’s rally in Harare was disrupted by the police. As if that was not enough, the PM’s offices were invaded by the police and staffers were arrested. Zanu PF’s daggers were out and battle lines drawn.
Ironically, while all this was happening, President Robert Mugabe was in Rome, at St Peter’s Square listening to the new Pope calling for a world that respects humanity, the environment and gives men dignity.
The violence that rocked the nation from the death of little Christpowers Maisiri hitherto, was intentionally brewed for two major reasons. Firstly, it served to test the preparedness of the terror and violence machine ahead of the elections. Remember violence, intimidation of opponents and outright murders are the only weapons remaining for the beleaguered party which is clearly devoid of any ideology.
Secondly, the violence was meant to fire warning shots into the air. Nobody should be under any illusion about how the contest will be played out. The game will be really nasty.
Look at how the rural communities flocked to the polling stations to approve a constitution they did not even know. The referendum, for all intents and purposes, stood as the finest ground to test voter preparedness.
All this points to several facts that we will have to comprehend sooner rather than later as we head for the next elections and any other election that Zanu PF will contest.
Zanu PF has become a larger than life party like Stalin’s communist party, controlling everything from economics, social life, politics, to how we think and act. The continued invasion of our privacy by the police, the daily battering by the army and intimidation by the CIO, all point to a country haunted by the very institutions which must protect it. This has nothing to do with a defective constitution. Our woes will not end with a new constitution like the one we have, which protects fundamental freedoms. Our woes will only end when we shake off our usual lethargy and be brave enough to go out and vote.
Zimbabweans must also speak out loud against violence. This should also include naming and shaming perpetrators. The private media must be applauded in this regard as in the past it has done quite a lot to name, shame and speak loudly against violence.
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Lastly, war credentials are no compensation or justification for his post-war villainous deeds.
