The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe)

Chamisa better run before it rains!

- Retired Major Action Mandingo Read more on www. sundaymail. co.zw

THERE is something about President Mnangagwa that some people, especially those in the opposition and their sponsors, have not yet realised.

He sometimes speaks so casually and enjoys throwing jokes here and there when talking, but never be fooled by his somewhat casual approach to issues — the man is very calculativ­e, emphatic and assertive when he has taken a position.

The way President Mnangagwa has handled issues after the August 23 elections clearly show that he is a veteran politician who understand­s how to handle intricate situations brought about by political opportunis­ts, sellouts and their masters.

He is not fazed or moved by situations that many people would consider as tricky or even precarious.

Those who have worked close with President Mnangagwa for a long time attribute his composure to the many years he was in charge of the country’s security ministry, while others think his background as a lawyer gives him the calmness to weather any storm.

When the head of the SADC Electoral Observatio­n Mission to the August 23 elections, Dr Nevers Mumba, went into bed with the country’s enemies and produced that discredite­d report, some people thought that ZANU PF, in general, and President Mnangagwa, in particular, were in serious trouble.

The prophets of doom saw an Armageddon in Zimbabwe while the Western puppets in our midst thought that finally they had gotten some piece of paper to lynch ZANU PF.

Well, it looks like people don’t really understand what we mean exactly when we say “ZANU PF ndeye ropa” and that “ZANU PF chiwororo”.

When we say “ZANU PF ndeye ropa”, we mean that in the party, our bond is steeped in blood.

Blood that fellow comrades — both dead and alive — shed as they were liberating this country.

There are no friends in ZANU PF — there are comrades.

And the word comrade means “shamwari yeropa”. What this means is that in ZANU PF, we are prepared to die for each other and more importantl­y, die for this country. While we respect democracy — defined from a Zimbabwean perspectiv­e — we are of the firm belief that what we brought through the gun cannot be taken away by some Western-sponsored report.

On the other hand, when we say “ZANU PF chiwororo” what we mean is that the party has different layers that have the capacity to deal decisively with anyone or anything that threatens the country’s independen­ce.

And when it comes to dealing with threats to the country’s independen­ce, the party is unapologet­ic, unwavering and thorough. As the different layers deal with issues threatenin­g the country, they take a cue from the party’s First Secretary, President Mnangagwa, who, like I indicated earlier on, has this calming and assuring effect.

The country’s enemies thought they had thrown a cat among the pigeons when they helped Dr Mumba to craft his reckless report, but they were shocked because the report failed to rock the boat.

President Mnangagwa conducted his duties as if Dr Mumba and his report never existed.

The way he handled the issue has seen SADC disowning Dr Mumba’s report as evidenced by the congratula­tory messages that keep coming from the region.

The latest congratula­tory message came from the SADC Council of Ministers. Speaking during an Extraordin­ary Council of Ministers meeting held virtually last week, Angola’s Minister of External Relations, who is the chairperso­n of the SADC Council of Ministers, congratula­ted Zimbabwe “on holding free and fair elections in a climate of peace and tranquilit­y, in accordance with the regional body’s principles and guidelines”.

Earlier on, the SADC Secretaria­t, had thrown Dr Mumba and his report under the bus.

The Secretaria­t wrote a statement saying: “SADC Electoral Observatio­n Missions ONLY observes elections. SADC DOES NOT conduct elections in its Member States, but observes them. We then make recommenda­tions. Understand the role of SADC when it comes to observing elections. Our mandate is only to observe and issue a report.”

The European Union fooled Dr Mumba into thinking that his report could kill ZANU PF, but he is fast realising that the report has killed his political career and has tarnished his reputation. His name now stinks to the high heavens and it’s going to be very difficult for Dr Mumba to survive this expose. While SADC has disowned Dr Mumba, somehow Chamisa keeps lying to his gullible supporters.

He keeps lying that the dead report can save him and his dying party.

Has anyone noticed that even though Chamisa continues lying — hoping and praying that some miracle will happen to revive his political career — he is now doing so with his tail between the legs?

All the fake bravado is gone. As they say, “When reality hits you!” Apart from lying, Chamisa has resorted to quoting Bible verses whenever he thinks of consoling himself.

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