“Morgan Tsvangirai is a flawed figure, not readily open to advice, indecisive and with questionable judgment,” wrote then USA Ambassador to Zimbabwe 2004 to 2007, Chris Dell, in a top-secret cable to his bosses back in Washington, USA. The cable was leaked and published in Wikileaks.
"He is an indispensable element for opposition success … but possibly an albatross around their necks once in power. In short … Zimbabwe needs him, but should not rely on his executive abilities to lead the country's recovery."
What Ambassador Dell said about Tsvangirai was equally true of the rest of the MDC and now CCC leadership. And these corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent MDC leaders are now the mile-stone round the nation’s neck dragging the whole country into the crashing abyss!
It took the people of Zimbabwe twenty years to accept that Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF friends were corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs. Even during the 1983 to 1987 Gukurahundi Massacres when Zanu PF declared war on the late Dr Joshua Nkomo and his PF Zapu party to force they to merge and clear the way for the imposition of the de facto one party state; many people forced to accept Zanu PF leaders were thugs. When the penny finally dropped, the people the nation would need to implement democratic changes to wrestle away Zanu PF’s dictatorial powers including the carte blanche powers to rig elections.
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life (over 500 were murdered in cold blood by Zanu PF during the 2008 elections alone) and limb to elect Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends into power on the understanding the party will deliver the democratic changes the nation was dying for. After 23 years on the political stage, 5 of which in the 2008 to 2013 GNU, MDC has failed to implement even one democratic change. Not one!
Tsvangirai and company had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU, it was the country’s best ever get-out-of-jail card, and they wasted it. Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office; the ministerial limos, generous salaries and allowances, a US$ 4m mansion for Tsvangirai, etc., etc. In return, the MDC leaders forgot about the reforms. And worst of all, since the GNU debacle MDC/CCC have been participating in flawed elections, knowing fully well it was folly!
“Look, you can't keep on participating in flawed electoral processes that serve to give big benefits to dictators such as Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has perfected the art of winning elections. So it will be very foolish for the opposition to continue legitimizing these sham elections which don't deliver. This country will go through a serious economic crisis in 2020 caused by Zanu PF. And yet, this is the only country where a government doesn't perform, it is encouraged by a super majority in parliament,” said Tendai Biti in a 2015 interview with Isaac Mugabi.
“So you can't continue subjecting Zimbabweans to processes where their hopes just get crushed.”
David Coltart too admitted the folly of participating in these flawed elections but went one step further - he explained why MDC/CCC leaders continue participating regardless.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” confessed Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
Both Tendai Biti and David Coltart were ministers in the GNU and the are Vice President and Treasurer General in the CCC party.
CCC is hell bent on participating in these 2023 elections knowing fully that doing so will only give the flawed election process credibility, give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus will perpetuate the dictatorship. Chamisa and company have been claiming to have Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies, to justify they stubborn insistence in participating in the flawed elections with no reforms. All hot air to hide their real reason for participating - greed.
So the MDC/CCC, the political party, people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect for the purpose of ending the Zanu PF dictatorship has not only wasted many golden opportunities to end the dictatorship but, worst of all, are now conniving with Zanu PF to perpetuating the dictatorship. MDC/CCC are now the mile-stone round the nation’s neck dragging us all into the crushing abyss!
It took Zimbabweans twenty years to finally accept Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies were corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs. It has taken Zimbabweans 23 years and counting and still the penny has not dropped that MDC/CCC leaders are corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent. It took Ambassador Dell a few meetings over a handful years to see Tsvangirai for what he was - a flawed character and a dangerous leader. The people of Zimbabwe are fast running out of time to see MDC/CCC leaders for the corrupt and incompetent leaders they are and decoupled the nation from the party or be crushed in the abyss.
The people must denounce these flawed and refuse to participate because all they will achieve by participating is Zanu PF legitimacy. They must also denounce CCC’s blatant betrayal in failing to implement reforms and in participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy. Denying CCC political credibility will go a long way in helping to deny Zanu PF political legitimacy.
The truth is Zimbabwe cannot afford another five more years of Zanu PF tyrannical rule. Deny Zanu PF political legitimacy after these 2023 election and country will be forced to have another GNU , as happened in 2008. This time the country will implement the democratic reforms and finally end the Zanu PF dictatorship.
18 comments:
@ Bachipeneti
“Rakadaro benzii richifunga rataura zvinemusoro.”
Zanu PF has many ways of knowing how people voted without having to see a photo of your ballot! The trouble with people like you is lack of imagination and common sense!
Zimbabwe has increased the number of Polling Stations from 2 000 or 10 per constituency in 2008 to over 11 000 or 55 per constituency in 2018. In 2008 there was a constituency voters' roll and so one could vote in any one of the 10 PS. In 2018 it was a PS voters' roll and could vote in only one designated PS. All these measures were put in place to make sure Zanu PF officials can easily tell who voted for the opposition.
One's vote is no longer a secret and those who vote for the opposition are punished!
The tragedy for Zimbabwe is the opposition know that Zanu PF is rigging these elections, they also know that their participation in these flawed elections will only give the process credibility and thus give SADC the excuse to grant Zanu PF legitimacy. And still they participate regardless out of greed.
After 43 years of Zanu PF Mafiosi rigging elections, it is insane that anyone would still doubt these are not going to be free, fair and credible elections.
@ Chris
“Do you think nature is going to allow us to go back to GNU era and do reforms? Scientifically its a no. So what are you On about when you go on talking about reforms which didn't happen back then? You know what reforms are needed, you know where to go and have reforms done if at All. Just leave CCC alone in your reforms agenda.”
You still don’t get it, do you? Zimbabwe is a failed state, pariah state, ruled by corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs who have managed to maintain their iron grip on power these 43 years because the rig the elections. The country had the golden opportunity to implement the reforms and MDC wasted it! And as long as Zanu PF retain the carte blanche dictatorial powers Zanu PF will rig the elections and remain in power.
CCC’s Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies are just hot air. For Zimbabwe to get out of the hell-hole we are in we still need to implement the democratic reforms. Just because MDC/CCC leaders sold out on reforms does not mean we don’t need the reforms or that no one else can implement them. The reforms are not rocket science it is just that MDC/CCC leaders are corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent.
The problem with these corrupt and incompetent CCC leaders is that they not only sold out on reforms but are now keeping Zanu PF in power by participating in these flawed elections out of greed. It would be irresponsible to let these idiots continue to drag the nation deeper and deeper into this hell. The sooner we can boot the idiots out of power the sooner the nation can be out of this mess!
@ Simba
The tragedy is the thug will get away with it. Indeed Zanu PF thugs have got away with a hell lot worse things such as murder. Over 500 people were murdered in the 2008 elections and how many of the murderers were ever arrested!
The common mistake here is to believe Zimbabwe can ever have a meaningful election without implementing the democratic reforms. Nelson Chmisa’s so-called Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies (WIRES) is just hot air. It is insane that the nation has now ditched the fight for reforms and free elections in favour of WIRES! Only idiots would trade gold for fool’s gold!
@ Mapandaxbless18
“Solution baba or way forward n it's pros n cons otherwise it's the same broken song.”
Is participating in the flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy, a solution?
It do not think it is a solution and hence the reason why I say people should not participate. You clearly think otherwise and the reason you getting hot in the neck at my proposed solution. I have given you my solution, you just don’t want to hear it.
You should tell us why you think participating is a solution particularly when it has clearly failed to deliver change these last 43 years!
Not participating IS a solution and more rational than participating to perpetuate the dictatorship especially when those advocating the participation are doing so out of greed. I will highlight the folly of participating and will not be silence by an idiot! Of course, anyone doing something irrational like participating in flawed elections to perpetuate the dictatorship is, per se, an idiot!
@ Arnold
“So vote wisely..ndataura pachikuru!”
This is the sheer stupidity that has kept Zanu PF is power all these years!
So you still maintain that it was because the people did not “VOTE WISELY” in the past that has kept Zanu PF in power all these last 43 years!
In the March 2008 plebiscite; the nearest the nation ever got to having free, fair and credible elections because Zanu PF had been pressured to switch off its vote rigging machinery; Tsvangirai got 73% of the vote. But before the results were announced the voter rigging juggernaut was switched back on and ordered a recount. After six week of recounting 5 m votes, Tsvangirai’s 73% was whittled down to 47%, enough to force a runoff.
During the runoff the primary purpose of the vote rigging juggernaut was to punish the people for having rejected Zanu PF and Mugabe in the earlier vote. Zanu PF launched Operation Mavhotera papi and the nation witness the worst election related wanton violence. Tsvangirai was forced to withdraw from the runoff and Mugabe was declared the winner with 84% of the votes.
Not even SADC and AU, know for endorsing Zanu PF rigged elections in the past, could stomach what Zanu PF did in 2008. The regional and continental bodies refused to endorse Mugabe and Zanu PF’s claim to be the legitimate government. Zanu PF was forced to accept the need to implement the democratic reforms designed to stop the blatant cheating and wanton violence of 2008. A GNU was formed and its primary task was to implement the reforms.
Alas! Not even one token reform was implemented in five years of the GNU. Not one!
Only a village idiot would still believe Zimbabwe can hold meaningful elections without first implementing reforms especially given the easy with which Zanu PF has continued to rig elections post GNU. Only a village idiot would give up the fight for reforms and free elections to embrace CCC’s oxymoronic Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies (WIRES). Only a village idiot would believe Zanu PF’s vote rigging juggernaut will be defeated if people “VOTED WISELY” when they do not have a free, fair and credible vote!
Zimbabwe cannot afford this insanity of participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship all because Zanu PF has conned village idiots into believing they do not need reforms and free elections, they have WIRES! Conned into trading gold for fool’s gold!
@ Chirume
“Presidential Elections and other elections will take place in the couple of months in Zimbabwe🇿🇼 YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT PEOPLE' ARE ANGRY AND THEY ARE READY TO DO ANYTHING for a living at this shortest period. Please take note. The following may happen, killing of Innocent People, Kidnapping, etc...*
Here Are Some Tips That Can Guide You:
1. Don't Keep Late at Nights
2. Make Sure You tell Your Family Exactly Where You Are Going To”
In short, you acknowledged that there is intimidation and harassment by Zanu PF operative and none of CCC's so-called Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies (WIRES) are working in stopping this. Zanu PF is rigging these elections and by participating CCC are giving the regime legitimacy.
Those who insist in participating because they have WIRES cannot complain afterward that the elections were rigged!
The political landscape of Zimbabwe has long been dominated by two major figures: Emmerson Mnangagwa and Saviour Kasukuwere. While Mnangagwa currently holds the presidency, Kasukuwere, a prominent opposition figure, has emerged as a formidable force that cannot be ignored. In this article, we will analyze the reasons why Kasukuwere poses a significant challenge to Mnangagwa’s leadership and why he cannot be disregarded in Zimbabwean politics.
In a Zimbabwe were elections are not free, fair and credible those able to rig elections have a chance of winning them. Kasukuwere was Zanu PF National Political Commissar and a seasoned thug in his own right. He is not in power but knows how the Zanu PF vote rigging machinery works and therefore poses a serious political challenge to Mnangagwa who is counting on the vote rigging juggernaut to deliver another electoral victory.
MDC/CCC leaders' failure to implement reforms even when they had the chance to do so during the GNU and their insistence in participating in these flawed elections have made the opposition a side show. They can only win the few seats Zanu PF gives away as bait, nothing more!
By failing to implement reforms and now by participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship CCC are the mile-stone round the nation's neck dragging us all into the abyss!
https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-opinion-sc-columnist-byo-231743.html
@ S
"(RBZ)’s Financial Intelligence Unit has frozen bank accounts of 12 major suppliers of goods and services indefinitely (names supplied) for refusing to transact in the local currency and engaging in forward pricing, malpractices believed to be fuelling exchange rate volatility."
This will only result in shortage of goods and services and the black market trading! We have have been here before and now we are back!
When we say these are bunch of thieves u think we hate them here is another evidence::::: The Reserve Bank Of ZIM and the Ministry of Finance presented to parliament that they paid US$400,000 for each land cruiser but Croco Motors told the same Parliament that they supplied the land cruisers to the government at a price of 110 000 each which means they were stealing 390 000 USD pa each car kkkk these are serious criminals. 23 August lets vote them out without fail.
That is why we call them LOOTERS!
Here is the evidence in parliament!
Corruption has indeed become rampant and, what is really worrying here is the corrupt have become very powerful. None of the looters exposed here and on many, many other cases ever get punished. None! And, worst of all, these looters are using some of their iff gotten wealth to bankroll the Zanu PF vote rigging machinery, it is naive to think the regime would ever lose.
Even if there was to be regime change, be it within Zanu PF itself or even the opposition winning, we can be certain the filthy rich will the real power behind the throne.
Corruption has been so rampant in Zimbabwe for so long it has created two distinct groups, the filthy rich few and the impoverished majority. The total amount of land owned by Bona Mugabe-Chikore, for example, is as big as Belgium! And yet millions of peasant in the rural areas do not even own one inch of land where their mud hut is built - it is all state land. They have nothing! Redressing this economic and social mismatch will be a serious challenge and yet it must be done if the country is ever to develop and be a functioning, free and truly democratic nation!
@ Chris
“Vanhu ve CCC caramba nhamo, kuwande samasvosve!”
We have been here before; the well attended rallies do not necessarily translate into votes especially when the elections are rigged! How many of these CCC supporters will fail to vote on 23 August 2023 because their name is not in the Polling Station voters' roll or some such event.
Many people have pointed at the sheer folly of participating in these flawed elections and it is none other that MDC/CCC leaders failed to implement reforms and are now insisting in participating in these flawed elections. Chamisa and company claim they will win big because they have devised Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies (WIRES). They better win because come 24 August, the morning after the voting, no one will listen to Chamisa and company complaining about Zanu PF rigged the elections!
It is insane to give up the fight for reforms and free elections to embrace WIRES. This is trading gold for fool’s gold especially after 43 years of the Zanu PF Mafiosi rigging elections!
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the new pay offer will be tabled once internal consultations are complete.
“We are currently doing consultations and working on a comprehensive framework, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development,” said Prof Mavima.
The framework, he said, will provide a clear roadmap on what the Government is able to offer in terms of remuneration and non-monetary incentives.
A few months ago government offered teachers and nurses a 100% wage increase with low ranking Police, Army and CIO getting 400% and the high ranking getting much more than that. Inflation was 200% or so. Today inflation is soaring 800% and rising exponentially. What, I wonder will the regime offer the workers this time?
The 100% pay rise to teachers although it was way below the inflation rate it was still inflationary in that the increased Government expenditure was not marched by increased revenue and so the regime had to pay the additional by printing money. This is what has fuelled the recent surge in inflation. The new round of pay increases will too be inflationary. This is just a kitten chasing its own tail except that these hyper inflation is causing havoc to everyone. The nightmare days of the 500 000 000% inflating of 2008 is back again!
@ Mahupete
“80% of them are not even registered voters.”
If the truth be told, the majority of them are not registered voters for no fault of their own.
In 1994 I literally begged my mother and eight others including myself to register as voters. I saw the voter registration slips with my own eyes. When the voters’ roll came out, just a few weeks before the 1995 elections, only my mother was in the voters’ roll!
What is infuriating here is that since the 2008 watershed elections everyone including SADC leaders KNOW that Zimbabwe cannot hold meaningful elections without first implementing the democratic reforms. Everyone that is except MDC/CCC leaders.
MDC/CCC leaders failed to implement even one token reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Worse still they are the ones who are insisting in participating in these flawed elections only to give Zanu PF legitimacy. Chamisa is telling everyone CCC will win big because the party has Winning In Rigged Elections Strategies (WIRES). Come 24 August he will be complaining that Zanu PF rigged, forgetting he had WIRES!
The tragedy is after 43 years of rigged elections and millions of our people now living in abject poverty the nation desperately need to put an end to this curse of rigged elections and bad governance. We need to implement the bloody reforms and stop wasting time and energy on something as frivolous and stupid as WIRES!
@ Mbofana
As a matter of fact, as long as Zimbabweans allow this caboodle in power to continue in office, then, in all likelihood, this 'vision' will be moved to 2050 - with the same 'sanctions and saboteurs' being cited as reasons for missing the 2030 goal.
There will definitely be nothing shocking there - as this same ZANU PF government has never been short of economic blueprints and grandiose 'visions', with promises of economic heaven - ever since gaining power in 1980.
Nonetheless, not a single one has ever been accomplished - from ESAP, ZIMPREST, ZIMASSET, Zimbabwe Millennium Recovery Program, the list is endless - as nothing of substance has ever been achieved.
We were assured of 'health and education for all by the year 2000', Vision 2020, and numerous other promises - whilst being urged to 'tighten our belts', as the economic challenges being faced were only temporary.
However, it would appear that, according to ZANU PF logic, 'temporary' means forty years of poverty and suffering - with no discernible reprieve in sight, ever since these economic programs began in the late 1980s.
In fact, we have had the same excuse after excuse - from former Rhodesians, dissidents and apartheid South Africa, to white farmers, the West, and opposition parties 'seeking regime change' - all accused of sabotaging the country.”
Zimbabwe is a failed state, a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and murderous Zanu PF thugs. We had the opportunity to end the dictatorship with the best chances coming during the 2008 to 2013 GNU, MDC squandered these opportunities. And since the GNU debacle MDC/CCC leaders have participated in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and to perpetuate the dictatorship.
As long as Zanu PF is able to rig elections and get away with it, thanks to the sell out opposition, there will be no meaningful political and economic change in Zimbabwe. None!
Yes Kuziva the new measure are necessary because the new measure announced last week DID NOT stabilise prices and exchange rates. Indeed, last week's new measures caused even more chaos and volatility in the markets. It is almost certain that the new measures being announce now will not work and so new measures will be announced once new scapegoats are identified. In short this is economic planning on the hoof or "kiya kiya" in the local street lingo!
Zimbabwe is a failed state, a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs who rig elections to stay in power. The country has had any chances to end the Zanu PF dictatorship the best chance coming during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. MDC/CCC leaders have wasted the chances and are now keeping Zanu PF in power by participating in flawed elections for 30 pieces of silver.
As long as Zanu PF remains in power, thanks to the MDC/CCC sell outs, Zimbabwe will remain a pariah state and kiya kiya state ideology - forget the fanciful names the regime calls each of these measures and counter measures, plans and counter plans, etc.
@ Mp
“Hanzi rakunge demba.. ! Imka”
We all grown old and feeble, it is the fate of all mortals.
Still, one cannot deny that people like former registrar general Tobayiwa Mudede played a major role in creating and sustaining the corrupt, tyrannical and murderous Zanu PF dictatorship and therefore the economic ruin and abject poverty in Zimbabwe today.
I interviewed him once and asked him where the thousands of postal votes that gave Simon Muzenda victory over Patrick Kombayi in the 1990 elections had come from. Instead of answering the question he went on to give me an hour lecture on how the postal vote worked. When some people are in positions of power and authority they forget that they too are mortal being and instead of treating others with respect treat them with the utter disdain.
Zimbabwe is a failed state, it cannot provide even the most basic needs such as education, health care, clean running water and electricity. Unemployment has soared to dizzying heights and 49% of our people are living in abject poverty. All because Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by corrupt and murderous thugs who rigged elections to stay in power. And Tobayiwa Mudede played a major role in rigging the elections.
In his heydays as Registrar General Tobayiwa Mudede thought himself a demigod who could blatantly rig elections and no mere mortal could hold him to account. And today, he is old and feeble confirming that he is, after all, just a mere mortal too. A lesson for many mere mortals like George Charamba, ZEC Chairperson Justice Chigumba right up to President Mnangagwa himself; ladies and gentlemen you too are mere mortals and so must not ride roughshod over other people’s rights and dreams as if you are Gods!
“What happened to beautiful Zimbabwe will be like a Sunday School picnic!”
What is he talking about! Zimbabwe is now the most miserable country on earth according to sources and we have been the most miserable nation these last three years running. And what is more we are clearly determined to keep our notoriety because, guess what we are retaining the same corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless Zanu PF regime in power. Thanks to our corrupt and utterly useless opposition who are participating in the flawed elections just to be sure SADC leaders grant Zanu PF legitimacy.
Our SA friend is talking of the economic nightmare “if we fail to remove ANC from government!” We in Zimbabwe are making sure Zanu PF remains in power and the regime will drag the nation even deeper into this economic hell. So whatever the ANC government is able to do if it is elected, we will still be decades ahead of SA.
Zimbabwe is the most miserable nation on earth and we are hell bent to keep it that way!
In a country where the ruling party rigs elections, it can say whatever it wants, blame everyone else except itself for all the country's ills, promise the moon on a silver platter, etc., etc. Nothing matters because it is not democratically accountable to anyone. Come elections it will rig and secure its iron grip on political power and to continue to do as it damn well please!
This is a nightmare of our own making, or to be more precise of MDC/CCC’s making. They sold out on democratic reforms and have been participating in these flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship.
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