Whilst one would acknowledge that there is some truth in Professor Stan Mukasa’s call that the people of Zimbabwe should be “ashamed” for not demanding an end to Mugabe’s tyrannical rule just as is happening in Egypt. (S W Radio Africa Monday 7 February 2011 Letter from America programme.) Still, to heap all the blame on the “masses” for Zimbabwe’s door for the country’s political nightmare is simplistic and dangerous.
The people of Zimbabwe have not done NOTHING to end Mugabe’s repressive rule; the risked everything - life and limp - to vote for MDC in 2008, did they!? They knew well enough the penalty for voting for anyone other than Mugabe and Zanu PF. And since March 2008, my God, Mugabe has made the people pay for it, particularly in the period the 27 June 2008 run-off vote.
The people made great sacrifices to give Tsvangirai and MDC the democratic mandate to say “We represent the people!” That is the priceless pearl! Sadly it was a pearl presented to a swine to trample into the dirty. Tsvangirai traded in the one chance to end Mugabe’s dictatorial rule for the office of Prime Minister – an office with no real meaningful or authority.
MDC said repeatedly before joining the GNU that if Mugabe failed to honour his promise of meaningful power sharing they will walkout. Of course Mugabe did not honour his promise – it has taken years for MDC to even acknowledge that fact - and yet MDC have stayed in the GNU. Indeed it is MDC who are fighting tooth and nail to extend the life of this GNU!
In causing up with Mugabe and granting him all his dictatorial powers for selfish person gains Tsvangirai and his MDC friends betrayed the people of Zimbabwe and sacrifices the whole nation had made over the last three decades for freedom, liberty and human dignity.
The people made many sacrifices for Zimbabwe’s independence; you would not think so to listen to Mugabe about Zimbabwe’s armed struggle, national heroes, etc. But of course Mugabe was to betray the whole nation for selfish gain just as Tsvangirai has done. Tsvangirai, Biti and all the other MDC leaders have done what Simba Makoni, Dumiso Dabegwa, Emmerson Mnangagwa, etc. in Zanu PF and of course Mugabe himself have done call for freedom, peace, justice, etc. only forget all these once they were elected into office.
Professor Mukasa you have been quick, and rightly so too, to condemn Mugabe repressive rule in many of your “Letter from America” broadcasts but slow in criticising MDC. Indeed sometimes you have even taken it upon yourself to be Tsvangirai and MDC’s apologist.
The people of Zimbabwe have good cause to want to see the back of Mugabe; they are at the cutting edge, they have suffered the consequence of the economic melt down caused by the decades of mismanagement and corruption and it is their lives Zanu PF thugs have made a living hell. But for one to risk all and stand up against a tyrant, of course it is not enough to have a cause. One must also have the confidence that at the end of the mass protest, there will be REAL and LASTING change. If there is anything for Zimbabweans to be ashamed of then it must be for having believed for a moment that any of the country’s multitude of self-seeking leaders cared about justice and freedom.
As for Zimbabwe’s crop of leaders; they should hang their collective heads in shame for betraying the nation. Those among them with the blood of so many of our people; they must be tried and if found guilty, hanged!
The challenge before the people of Zimbabwe is how to get men and women of quality and with a vision to lead them and not the rubbish leading them now. “Kwete ungoti makudo namazvere!” as one would say in Shona.
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