Watch out for political vultures
. . . citizens must be wary of opportunists who are bent on hijacking the revolution to satisfy their self-interest. The Lumumbas are not trying to re-invent the wheel, for even during the liberation struggle, such people were there.
THE political situation in Zimbabwe has given rise to political vultures. One may remember from nature studies in primary school that a vulture, that large carnivorous bird, is most well-known for its scavenging nature.
Having unsuccessfully attempted for the umpteenth time to unseat ZANU-PF since 2000, the opposition thought that the popular resentment against former president Robert Mugabe was an opportunity to wrestle power. For once, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai had to request for an early discharge from a South African hospital so that the historic moment did not skip him. He knew very well that it would be a daunting task for him to demand a piece of the cake when it was baked in his absence.
He was among the demonstrators who filled the streets of Harare and packed the historic Zimbabwe Grounds recently, to demand the stepping down of Cde Mugabe.
Elation could be seen on the National People’s Party leader, Dr Joice Mujuru’s face. It was a face that exposed her anticipation for a piece of the cake.
She thundered, “Ggaende ngaende (He must go),” much to a thunderous response from a jubilant crowd that packed the Zimbabwe Grounds. But the big question is that; now that Cde Mugabe is gone, so what? What’s in for the opposition?
The opposition and civil society organisations have been pushing for a National Transitional Authority (NTA) to be a caretaker government until the next general elections which can be conducted five years’ time from now. They believe that the NTA would stabilise the economy and bring normalcy to the country’s politics. In fact, the discourse on NTA has been going on since last year and its proponents are attempting to capitalise on the current political situation to revive the discourse.
Dr Ibbo Mandaza and other academics have already come up with an elitist platform, Platform for Concerned Citizen (PCC), which has submitted a proposal for an NTA to SADC.
Speculations are flying high on the line-up of the envisaged NTA presidium. The proposed leadership of the so-called national unity government has President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa being touted as President with Morgan Tsvangirai being Prime Minister. Mujuru and Dumiso Dabengwa are earmarked for the offices of the Vice President.
Some reputable news outlets like SABC even went on to broadcast a wishful list that has been circulating on social media.
Former ZANU-PF chairman for Mashonaland West Province Temba Mliswa has been hyperactive, proffering philosophical analyses on the unfolding events. He has styled himself as the “People’s Commissar”.
Another expelled ZANU-PF member, William Gerald Mutumanje, aka Acie Lumumba, has been all over the place portraying himself as the principal organiser of the solidarity demonstration that took place on Saturday, November 18. He also implored people to rally behind the “mother of all mass actions” that he claimed he was organising in collaboration with Evan Mawarire, Promise Mkwananzi and Kuda Musasiwa. Lumumba appealed for support in cash and kind to stage his mother of all mass actions which he said would oust President Mugabe from power. However, events took a twist before he could execute his plan after Cde Mugabe resigned.
Warning bell The cunning young man had seen an opportunity to make big money from fleecing gullible benefactors. One of his accomplices, Mkwananzi, recently resigned from Tajamuka/ Sesijikile project amid allegations of abusing donor funds.
To that end, citizens must be wary of opportunists who are bent on hijacking the revolution to satisfy their self-interest.
The Lumumbas are not trying to re-invent the wheel, for even during the liberation struggle, such people were there.