SA not immune to bloodless takeover of the government
IT IS no use talking about Robert Mugabe because in the books of history, he was destined to finish off as an incoherent and babbling idiot, just like Joseph Stalin.
He manipulated the grand delusions of the weak, the vulnerable and fearful – the sheep of Africa who did not have the strength to lead but only to be led. It inevitably led to their slaughter.
Now the rivers run deep with the blood of the innocents as the once exalted shepherd seeks to strike a sweetheart deal woven with a multiplicity of concessions which include leaving his beloved country without hindrance.
For decades, Mugabe ran his trade on a scandalous doctrine, for the success of it was based on fear and he deliberately set out to exploit the fear of a deprived society.
Proposed leadership in the government of national unity have such blood-curdling nom de guerres as “The Crocodile” (Emmerson Mnangagwa), “Spill Blood” (Joice Mujuru) and “The Black Russian” (Dumiso Debengwa) that one would think poor “Zimmies” are jumping from the pot into the fire.
Mugabe is the only surviving tyrant of a trio of mad men who ruled in different parts of Africa.
The other two being Idi Amin, the former field marshal and Big Dada of Uganda and Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya – the Mad Dog of Tripoli.
There are other despots too like Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo who continue to test the will and patience of their people. But South Africa should be wary of what’s happening in the neighbourhood as we are not immune to such efforts at taking over power in a bloodless coup.
The similarities between the two countries’ problems are compelling.
At the heart of Zimbabwe’s political and economic crises, is the survival of the ruling party, Zanu-PF.
In SA, the ANC remains the majority party. However, like Zanu-PF, the ANC has been fractured and destabilised in recent times. There has been dissatisfaction within the ranks regarding cabinet reshuffles while SA has suf- fered the same fate with the sacking of former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy. Both parties head into elective conferences this month with Zimbabwe scheduled for national elections next year and SA in 2019.
There are succession battles looming for party leadership as party presidents will go on to lead the country. Such is the fragmentation of the current structures within the ANC, that for the first time in its history, seven candidates are vying for the presidency.
It is hoped that Mugabe’s demise will rejuvenate a raped land where the mighty Zambezi can flow freely, dairy farms can churn out the best cheese, tobacco harvests will show extraordinary yields and the smoky Victoria Falls will thunder majestically as an act of defiance.
Once again such effortless takeovers may inspire some of our not-so-inspired opposition activists to engage in some far-fetched “Captain Mike Hoare mutiny” only to end in disgrace. While I pray for the people of Zimbabwe, for the sustenance of reality and hope, I also pray that I will never have to face a similar situation in South Africa. Kevin Govender
Mugabe ran his trade on a scandalous doctrine… of fear