Both AU and SADC election observers have dismissed the 23 August Zimbabwe elections as a farce. The regional body has since met and endorsed the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) damning report.
“Conclusion 13.3
The SEOM noted that, as detailed in sections 6 and 7 of this report, some aspects of the Harmonised Elections fell short of the requirements of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Act, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021),” stated the SEOM report.
There is no doubt that SADC leaders have been divided as what to do next, regarding the damn election report. There are some SADC leaders, notable SA’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his ANC government, who wanted Zanu PF granted political legitimacy and the damning report swept under the carpet and forgotten.
No one could deny the lasting damage sweeping the damning report would do to SADC’s reputation. What is the point of producing the principles and guidelines on elections or any thing else for that matter is there are no consequences for blatantly disregarding the said principles!
For the people of Zimbabwe the situation is more urgent; the August elections were flawed and illegal and therefore, per se, failed to produce a legitimate government. This Mnangagwa administration complete with its CCC opposition side-kick are illegitimate.
When the blatant cheating and wanton violence in the 2008 elections had forced both AU and SADC to condemn the elections process and thus deny Zanu PF political legitimacy; SADC had assumed the supervisory role of forming a GNU, an interim governing arrangement to bridge the period whilst allow reforms to be implemented to stop the cheating and wanton violence and holding of fresh elections. Zimbabwe needs a similar arrangement now!
It is therefore not surprising that there are stories of SADC still trying to come up with a way forward for Zimbabwe given the regional body officially accepted the August 2023 Zimbabwe elections failed to produce a legitimate government.
“MNANGAGWA SENDS ZANU PF DELEGATION TO SADC!
By Our CHIEF ZIMBABWE CORRESPONDENT.” read one report circulating in the social media.
“A ZANU PF delegation will leave HARARE for GABORONE this Friday January 5 for a crunch meeting with the SADC Secretariat, our highly placed Sources within both ZANU PF and SADC say.
“Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa is sending the ZANU PF delegation with three sets of points for SADC to Consider which reads as follows:
1): ZANU PF proposes a Power Sharing arrangement with the Zimbabwe main Opposition Citizens Coalition for change led by Nelson Chamisa.
2): ZANU PF does acknowledge receipt of the Communique from SADC with the proposal of the 30 June 2024 as the date fresh elections in Zimbabwe will be held.
3): That ZANU PF understands why SADC reached the resolution for FRESH ELECTIONS to be held in Zimbabwe...but however...ZANU PF proposes a Power Sharing arrangement instead of FRESH ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE.”
There are two reasons why SADC leaders have endorsed SEOM’s damning Zimbabwe election report and yet the leaders have hesitated denying Zanu PF political legitimacy:
- a) CCC participated in these flawed elections knowing fully well that the process was flawed out of greed. Chamisa even boasted of “plugging all the vote rigging loop holes!” Even after the AU, SADC and even Zimbabwe’s own ZHRC had denounced the election process as a farce, all winning CCC members accepted the result and took up their gravy train seats. When Chamisa tried to talk them out of taking their gravy train seats, they flatly refused to listen. This has confirmed the historic fact that MDC/CCC leaders pay lip service to democratic changes and free elections, when all they care about is getting their share of the spoils of power.
- b) The chaos and confusion within CCC following the successful recall of elected party official have driven home the reality that CCC is a weak and divided party; it is one thing denying Zanu PF political legitimacy when it is clear the party will remain the dominant political party regardless what alternative arrangement is proposed. Indeed, if SADC insist on a GNU or fresh elections, Zanu PF may make Zimbabwe ungovernable and blame SADC for it!
SADC must accept the political reality in Zimbabwe that Chamisa and his CCC friends are corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless. And Zanu PF is the only game in town. Indeed, Zanu PF managed to emerge out of the 2008 to 2013 GNU with all the party’s dictatorial powers untouched precisely because MDC leaders were corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless, this has not changed.
Unless SADC is prepared to play a more hands-on active role in the new GNU, much more SA Minister Lindiwe Zulu played in the last GNU; then it will be foolish to create a new GNU knowing fully well that nothing of substance will be accomplished. Nothing!
SADC leaders have the excuse why Zimbabwe’s 2008 to 2013 GNU failed to implement even one token democratic reform - they did not know that Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends were corrupt, incompetent and utterly less. Everyone knows that Chamisa and his CCC friends are corrupt, incompetent and utterly, utterly useless; it will be unforgivable for SADC entrust Zimbabwe’s destiny in such irresponsible hands ever again!
Ultimately it was the responsibility of the people of Zimbabwe to make sure MDC implemented all the democratic reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. We let ourselves down and are paying dearly for it.
Indeed, it is shocking that even now, with the benefit of hindsight, many Zimbabweans still have no clue the GNU was the nation’s golden opportunity to implement the reforms and end the Zanu PF dictatorship. And so if Zimbabweans have learnt nothing from the last GNU it is clear opportunity to get the reforms implemented during the new GNU will be wasted too.
If SADC want the democratic reforms to be implemented then the regional body will have take on Zanu PF and not entrust this important task to the corrupt and incompetent CCC, especially when every one knows CCC are corrupt and incompetent. It would be irresponsible for SADC to drag the Zimbabwe through yet another GNU knowing fully well that no good will ever come out of it!
16 comments:
@ Tich General
“You are an opposition to the Opposition Party. How are you expecting the constitution to change if people like you fight the struggle from suppression and oppression systems of the ruling party and Mnangagwa. Are you saying you are so comfortable with what Mnangagwa is doing to ZANU PF and the Government. Which means if that is the case you are a hopeless and incorrigible Dictator who just doesn't care when others are falling to the ground due to unjust leadership. As long as you are standing, you don't care about others. Why do you call yourself a Zimbabwean then. To be a Zimbabwean means the nationality which has millions of people. The world cannot call you a Zimbabwean if you are the only one. There is no nationality of one person.”
You are a simpleton and therefore think all problems must be simple and with a simple solution. Yes Zanu PF is a party of ruthless thugs and the opposition are supposed to be fighting in povo’s corner implementing the democratic reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. The important question is why is that after 23 years of MDC/CCC nothing has changed?
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect MDC/CCC leaders into power on the understanding that they would implement the democratic reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections. After 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, not even one token reform has been implemented. Ever since the GNU MDC/CCC have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship.
Clearly MDC/CCC leaders have had many golden opportunities to end the dictatorship and have wasted them. It is clear that Chamisa and company have been running with the povo hare and hunting with the Zanu PF hounds. The very fact that even after 23 years with not even one reform implemented a mountain of evidence of MDC/CCC leaders selling out you still fail to see what is happening only proves just how naive, ignorant and stupid you are.
It is bad enough that simpleton like you exist, it is a great national tragedy that you have a vote! Buffoons like Mnangagwa and Chamisa count on simpletons like you to elect them into office and keep them there!
Simpletons are easily conned, they readily believed that Chamisa had plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. They are thick, their brains are impermeable to reason and logic.
@ Ffgh
It is childish to pretend that Chamisa has nothing to do with what MDC did or failed to do during the GNU for example. Just as it is childish to pretend Mnangagwa and his thugs in the Second Republic had nothing to do with the corruption, vote rigging and murders of the Mugabe era. It is shocking how some people are so easily conned into believing such idiotic nonsense. A cobra does not cease to be a dealy snake just because it has shed off it's old coat!
And you complain that I am repeating that Zanu PF is rigging election with help of CCC but are not complaining about the 43 years of rigged elections and the tragic consequences they have caused! Talking of being penny wise and pound foolish!
@ Tich General
“No you have a dictatorial ideology of fuelling the elements of one party state. MDC/CCC were the only strong parties fighting ZANU PF strongly. That is why you hear the voluminous mouth of Charamba bellowing, "We want to destroy the Party which has Chamisa inside. If the party had Tshabangu they were not going to destroy it. Why, because Chamisa refused the brown envelopes and crumps from the ZANU PF table. He is fighting on the front of Citizens that is why Tshabangu is refusing with his face. Tell me which party did you find that kind of madness being publicized. We had many parties since independence did they change anything talk about ZAPU it was swallowed, ZUM was destroyed after causing many to lose limb and life when the Old Man was fighting for One Party states. It's in the DNA of ZANU PF that they don't want democracy and a multiparty state. What are you hauling about. Unodherera Mukomana iwe. Unofunga kuti munhu achembera ndiye anotonga nyika chete. Please remove the clots from your face and help Zimbabwe. You are selfish, be patriotic and nation building. ZANU PF are the mother of Dictatorship and if they are not stopped by SADC the whole SADC region would be made to take notes from their study book. Don't just dwell your arguments on one party. I will critique you to make an analytical approach given the failures of all parties since 1980. Then we would see how CCC failed. Even in the Unity Accord with Papa Joshua Nkomo no constitutional change. ZANU was just basking in the sun and enjoyed corruption. Please, give us real staff not rhetoric.”
As I said you are simpleton and therefore easily fooled.
“MDC/CCC were the only strong parties fighting ZANU PF strongly!” you say. If that is true then why is that they have failed to implemented even one democratic change in 23 years including 5 in the GNU?
You cannot answer that simple question because you have no clue what the democratic reforms are! Being a simpleton, you have failed to understand what the democratic changes are even now with the benefit of hindsight. Reforms are just one of the many mysteries that will remain hidden to simpletons like you for all time.
The truth is MDC/CCC leaders have proven beyond all reasonable doubt that they are corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless. Chamisa and company will never implement the democratic reforms the prerequisite to stopping Zanu PF rigging elections. And because simpletons like you cannot see that and consider CCC “the strongest opposition party” the nation is now stuck with a corrupt and incompetent opposition and thus indirectly stuck with Zanu PF dictatorship too!
@ Matthew Nyashanu
“Your argument lacks base and theoretical framework. People struggle to know what you stand for. It seems the concepts being discussed are beyond your comprehension that you end up mixing it up and present nothing far from a haphazard understanding of the issues in question. Honestly Wilbert you need to revisit theories and frameworks for making plausible arguments.”
It is not Wilbert Mukori and what I say that is at issue here but rather Nelson Chamisa and his MDC/CCC friends and what they have done these last 23 years that is at issue. Please provide “the theoretical framework and base” for why MDC/CCC has not only failed to implement to implement even one token reform in 23 years, including 5 in the GNU and, worst of all, have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed!
I must say, I am disappointed that even you have failed to grasp the simple concept that those in public office are and must be accountable to the people. And that it is the duty of all the citizens to hold those in public office to account.
Your repeated attack on me is motivated by your deep rooted belief that MDC/CCC leaders are demigods who must never ever be questioned. You are supposed to be an intellectual, a Doctor of some thing or other, for Pete’s sake. Where again did you get your doctorate degree?
@ Chakaipa
“U wonder kuti does he have 5 O levels?
If it happens that he has, you wonder how he passed such and moreso how he fairs at work?
Idambufziko thr and thr."
Zimbabwe is a failed state and has just had yet another rigged elections. After 43 years since independence and in this day and age we still failing to hold free, fair and credible elections - that is a damning testimonial to our failure to govern ourselves. This is the number one challenge before this nation and all those with half a brain will want to focus on that.
Admittedly we do have many half shillings in our midst, they cannot see beyond the tip of their nose and so they are obsessed with trivial matters. So keeping the reform agenda on the table amongst all this noise from the dimwits is another challenge that must be dealt with.
Some times the noise from the idiots is so overwhelming, one cannot even hear oneself think! Such is the curse of having so many village idiots as citizens. Zimbabwe is a failed state because we have more than our fair share of village idiots and, to crown it, they have the voice and a vote!
@ Dombo
“The fact is, you also having your political party as an opposition and you also failed just to put one simple solution to stop ZANU PF but you are only good at attacking other Opposition leaders. Your political ambitions is not to remove Zanu but to destroy others who are trying to bring change.”
In the late 1990s the nation came to the conclusion that Zanu PF was corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical however as long as the party is able to rig elections, the nation will never be able to remove the regime from power. The solution was to elect opposition leaders who will implement the democratic reforms and stop Zanu PF rigging elections.
Zanu PF blatantly rigged the August 2023 elections precisely because MDC/CCC leaders have not only failed to implement even one token democratic reforms in 23 years including 5 in the GNU. Worse still, MDC/CCC have been participating in flawed elections knowing fully well that by participating they are giving Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuating the dictatorship.
The nation is still stuck with Zanu PF precisely because MDC/CCC leaders sold out on reforms. Ever since the GNU, Chamisa and company have been running with the povo hare by day and hunting with the Zanu PF hounds by night. It is tragic this simple political reality is a complete mystery to many out there, even after 23 years of MDC/CCC with nothing to show for it!
Zimbabwe is a failed state because the nation has failed to perform even the simple tasks like holding free, fair and credible elections. Cry the beloved country, for you have been blessed with the natural resources but cursed in having mentally challenged human resources! For in their ignorance and stupidity Zimbabweans have become their own worst enemy.
@ KJ
“Because you do not think about the state of the country now and who is responsible for the chaos - don’t even think you see the chaos or have an understanding of it - you are obsessed by the hatred you have - or is it bitterness.”
There is chaos in Zimbabwe alright and one of the root causes of the chaos is the failure to hold free, fair and credible elections. I am just surprised that you have said nothing about MDC/CCC leaders’ failure to implement even one democratic reform in 23 years, including 5 in the GNU. They had the opportunity to end the chaos.
You are choosing instead to blame me for the chaos in the country when all I have done is highlight the basic truth that MDC/CCC leaders have sold out on reform! How stupid is that!!!!!!
@ Dombo
“For those who are in office to make things happen they need our support you and me as citizens than to fight them the way you are doing .Better to come together as one and shout with one voice for change , freedom of expression and free and fair Elections.”
Defending MDC/CCC leaders’ failure to implement even one democratic reform in 23 years and praising them to the high heaven for participating in flawed elections to perpetuate the dictatorship in foolish. And it is this foolishness that has made Zimbabwe a failed state.
@ Chakaipa
“Then the certified idiot Mukori comes barking to us here on this group.
Remove that hay from your eyes and brains old moron.”
We both know who is the moron here and here is the proof.
I have said repeatedly and will say it again; Zanu PF is a party of corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs. It took the nation nearly 10 years to realise this reality and a further 10 years to realise that as long as Zanu PF was able to rig the elections the nation will never ever remove it from office.
Ever since the late 1990s, the people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect the opposition into power for the express purpose they would implement the democratic changes necessary to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections. Morgan Tsvangirai launched his MDC party on the promise, he would deliver the democratic change, as the party name implied - Movement for Democratic Change.
After 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, MDC/CCC have failed to implement even one token democratic change hence the reason why Zanu PF has continued to blatantly rig elections. Worse still, they have conned the people into participating in these flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed.
The AU and SADC election observers condemned the 2023 elections as a farce but even that did not stop CCC members taking up their gravy train seats and thus endorsing the flawed and illegal process. Some SADC leaders wanted Zanu PF denied political legitimacy but were powerless to take decisive actions since CCC leaders themselves accepted the flawed electoral process.
Many Zimbabweans participated in these flawed elections out of ignorance; ignorant of the fact that MDC/CCC have sold out on reforms and were conning povo into participating to perpetuate Zanu PF dictatorship. In their ignorance and stupidity these people have not realised that MDC/CCC have not implemented even one token reform in 23 years legitimacy. They need to be educated.
Then there are the morons, they are not just ignorant and stupid, they are refusing to accept the historic facts that MDC/CCC leaders are corrupt, incompetent and, most significantly will never implement the reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. The morons have taken it upon themselves to defend MDC/CCC leaders, whom they consider to be infallible demigods who have done no wrong.
The CCC morons are so aggressive they are stifling all meaningful debate and democratic discourse - they are copycats of Zanu PF’s season thugs, apologists and propagandists. Just as Zanu PF has used party and state machinery to hold the nation ransom CCC is using these overzealous party morons to bully and bamboozle povo into silence.
Zanu PF thugs know that CCC will never ever implement any reforms and naturally they party is contend with the present status quo in which the opposition is a junior partner participating in flawed elections to maintain the facade the country is a multi-party democracy. The challenge is educating the people into understanding that stop Zanu PF rigging the election the nation needs a competent opposition that will implement the democratic reforms. Since CCC will not do this, we need to replace CCC!
Only the morons will insist CCC is the best foot forward for Zimbabwe when even they cannot name even one token reform MDC/CCC have implemented in 23 years, 5 of which in the GNU! Enough of the politics of propaganda, ignorance and fear; we now want truth, reason and facts as the only accepted currency of democratic debate and discourse.
@ Simba
“In a stark illustration of international legal and political complexities, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent statements contrast sharply with his government’s actions on the world stage. As South Africa gears up to confront the Israeli government in the International Court of Justice, Ramaphosa’s own rhetoric concerning similar situations, particularly in Zimbabwe, is marked by a conspicuous dissonance.
Ramaphosa has been part of a global narrative that glosses over the harsh realities in Zimbabwe, repeatedly stating that “the elections went well… the only thing that is left is to remove sanctions.” This narrative starkly conflicts with the proven genocide in Zimbabwe, publicly boasted by its perpetrator, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa’s open admissions and declarations about his oppressive actions, including deploying the army against election winners and his chilling remarks equating democracy with death, stand as testament to the severity of these human rights violations.”
The tragic events in Gaza deserve worldwide condemnation it is a great pity that the cause is being championed by those whose own moral standing is dubious, to say the least!
@ Chakaipa
“Unotaura zvekuGaza. Did you condemn any killings done by the despotic regime of Zim?”
This is a stupid question only a moron like you would ask!
“I have said repeatedly and will say it again; Zanu PF is a party of corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs,” said above!
You are so focused on denying that MDC/CCC leaders sold by failing to implement reforms and participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy you have shut out everything else I say.
I am not only condemning Zanu PF corruption and murderous reign of terror but better still I want this nightmare to end. I know that Zanu PF’s reign of terror would have ended by 2013, at the latest, if MDC leaders had implemented the necessary democratic reforms. I also know that CCC leaders will never implement any reforms now and hence the reason why I am calling for the election of competent opposition leaders who will implement the reforms!
I will never be bullied into silence by single track minded morons like you who think CCC are demigods who must not be held to account regardless their selling out on reforms, etc. NEVER EVER!
@ KJ
“Any opposition in any country can only make changes within themselves - off course showing democratic principles to provide confidence - they CANNOT implement changes in governance simply because they are not in power - morons are those who do not understand the conditions under which the opposition is operating - emanating from the economy, jailing, abductions, infiltration etc.”
Actually morons are those who continue to deny that MDC leaders HAD the golden opportunity to implement reforms during the GNU even when those like Professor Arthur Mutambara who were in the GNU are honest enough to admit MDC leaders took their eyes off the reform agenda.
“As a collective political leadership, we should have taken time to apply our minds to the existential question:
“What next after the GNU?”
We did not address this matter.
This was suicidal.” confessed Professor Arthur Mutambara in his Book In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream, Volume III (Ideas & Solutions)
Even now with the benefit of hindsight we still have the demonic morons claiming the opposition “CANNOT implement changes in governance simply because they are not in power!”
The collective CCC leadership continue to participate in the flawed elections knowing fully well the process is flawed and that by participating they are giving Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship. They are participating regardless out of greed, they know Zanu PF is giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate.
Ordinary Zimbabweans have been conned into participating in these flawed elections not knowing doing so will only perpetuate the Zanu PF dictatorship and their suffering. They do not understand the intricacies of the reforms much less that CCC sold out; no one would knowingly participate in a flawed process only to give it legitimacy and perpetuate their own suffering. These people need education and the process is being hindered by the demonic morons hell bend on promoting the false narrative that MDC/CCC leaders are infallible demigods!
@ Kintakinte
“HAD is a past tense why not man up and face reality.”
CCC are participating in these flawed elections for the same reasons they failed to implement even one reason during the 2008 to 2013 GNU - greed and breathtakingly incompetent. So the sellout during the GNU is still happening to this day. Not that I expect a dimwit like you to understanding that - you have failed to understand what went on during the GNU because you do not have the mental intellect and s everything is a mystery to you.
Let me rest assure you CCC held be held to account for selling out on reforms and the search for competent opposition will continue - this is not negotiable.
@ Musoni
“Assuming that we all accept then what next do you suggest.Does your harping on the same thing bring any change to the present situation. May you be progressive.”
I told you the way forward is to educate the masses that MDC/CCC have not only sold out on reforms and free elections but that these corrupt and incompetent politicians are conning the people into participating in flawed elections to perpetuating the Zanu PF dictatorship out of selfish greed.
The education process is being seriously undermined by the demonic morons who still want the masses to believe CCC leaders are infallible demigods. How any one with half a brain could ever accept another mortal being to be infallible especially some one with a well documented track record of failure and betrayal as these CCC leaders beggars belief!
“May you be progressive!” And we all know what “progress” these morons are after - accept Chamisa is infallible and the best foot forward for Zimbabwe. No wonder the country is in a mess! We have some brain dead morons on both sides of the political divide and they are holding the nation to ransom!
“In February and March 2023, an alarming documentary by Al Jazeera revealed evidence of illicit gold trading in Zimbabwe. Despite gold production contributing over 33% of mineral production, it only generates less than 1% of tax revenue due to these illicit activities.
The documentary uncovered an unsettling state-endorsed operation employing money laundering techniques to export gold to Dubai and other destinations. Most concerning was the implication of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa as the alleged leader of this illicit trade. Despite compelling evidence, no arrests or transparent investigations have taken place, allowing the plunder to persist.”
It is believed that Zanu PF must have squandered a staggering US$ 5 billion plus in the 2023 elections and most of the money paid was sourced from the looting of the nation’s wealth. This has pushed the cost of elections beyond the reach of most people and thus throwing the door wide open to corruption and thus making clean politics near impossible!
It pays in the end to get the best in the beginning and once corrupted it is near impossible to clean it up again! We had the golden opportunity to cleanup our corrupted political system during the 2008 to 2013 GNU and the opportunity was wasted.
Zanu PF emerged out of the GNU stronger with the opposition it the party’s deep pockets. To have any meaningful political change today we not only have to deal with Zanu PF but must fight the opposition too who are Zanu PF in all but name although the masses are yet to realise this!
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