Opinion: The ANC didn’t know who they held a meeting with [ZANU-PF]

The African National Congress (ANC) sent a mediation team to the Republic of Zimbabwe and met with the governing party Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) on the 9th September 2020. The day after they delivered a Joint Communique on the 10th September 2020, which haven’t gotten the best press either.

In this game, the ANC couldn’t win. They didn’t raise the stakes and neither did they address the needs of Zimbabwe. The ANC or the South African delegation to Zimbabwe only met with on party and didn’t even try to seek grievances elsewhere. Because, ZANU-PF the ruling regime will not tell the truth, neither will they address the issues at hand. That will make their ills and violence naked to the world to see. Something that would be stupid for them and they don’t want the neighbour to that for them.

Therefore, the ANC and the South African playing this soft has backfired. They didn’t do anything and also gotten nothing to bring home. They are going to a barbecue, but they don’t have meat or a salad. They are coming empty handed and hoping to eat a feast.

The ANC should have known and been prepared, alas it seems like a fishing expedition. ZANU-PF are now disowning and discrediting ANC. They are playing out all their cards and mocking the ANC. There is nothing they are not saying or touching on, which cannot be thrown back at them. Still, they are doing it for one reason. To make an insult of self-defence.

They are claiming Mbeki was invited, while this time they came on their own. Not like the ANC wasn’t coming there as a representation of the African Union, which Ramaphosa is the leader of right now. Mnangagwa knows that and the ZANU-PF knows that too. SADC have been silent on Zimbabwe too… so they have gotten off easy considering the issues that is living out in the Republic.

ZANU-PF knows about this and their methods to silence critics and dissidents. The state of affairs is this way and instead of addressing that. Take accountability and being transparent about that. The ZANU-PF throws shade ANC. Saying all kind of ridicule and being ridiculous… like the younger sibling teasing the older sibling. We have seen it all before and ZANU-PF plays it to a T.

If the ones in-charge in Harare things this is a smooth move and brilliant PR. They are clearly misguided. Yes, it helps their backers and the ones in power. However, they are not getting more friends or even getting positive feedback from the international community.

ANC should have played this differently and not rushed this out so quick. Yes, there was an outcry and legitimately so… there are plenty of violations and issues, which the ZANU-PF doesn’t want to change. Because, that means they have to answer for their actions, which they are not interested in doing.

With all of this in mind, the ANC couldn’t have made a difference. There is no will from the authorities in Harare anyway. That is why they are deflecting and showing no remorse in the media in the days after. They are even vilifying the ANC. That is to the extent the ZANU-PF goes too further their own interests. ZANU-PF only did this, because they felt they had too. Not because they wanted too.

So, Ramaphosa, AU and SADC have to see what has happen after the meeting and ask for an invitation with a mandate. Because, what they did now was a lot of nothing with no results and getting a lot unnecessary scrutiny, which they could have prepared before leaving South Africa. Alas, they didn’t and with the haste to intervene. They have only lost on both fronts and ZANU-PF is only showing their true face… Peace.

African National Congress: Communique of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) and the African National Congress (ANC) Bi-Lateral Meeting Convened on 9 September 2020 (10.09.2020)

Zimbabwe: Douglas Coltart letter to ZRP – Re: Ober Masaraure and Robson Chere (08.09.2020)

Zimbabwe: MDC Alliance Land Reform Position – Press Conference (03.09.2020)

Zimbabwe: Citizens’ Manifesto – Communique from Citizens Consultative Forum Held on 27 August 2020 (02.09.2020)

Zimbabwe: Joint Statement by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development in the wake of the Conclusion on 29 July 2020 of the Global Compensation Deed between the Government of Zimbabwe and the former Farm Owners (31.08.2020)

Zimbabwe: MDC-Alliance – Statement on Allegations of Involvement of MDC Alliance Official in State-Sponsored Abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa (30.08.2020)

Zimbabwe: ZimRights – Press Statement on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances (30.08.2020)

Zimbabwe: Anglican Council of Zimbabwe – Pastoral Letter (24.08.2020)

Opinion: Khupe will not win people’s heart [but hope she enjoys the perks from the crocodile]

The Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) are now officially purging Members of Parliament from the Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-Alliance). The leader of MDC-T Thokozani Khupe is enjoying the perks and the spoils the state gives her. Also, demean and mock the real opposition in the MDC-Alliance.

Because, now the nomination of the recalled MDC-Alliance MPs are official and the MDC-T members are taking their places. The gazetted MPs are in and the truth is revealed. The state has only love for Khupe and MDC-T. As they are loyal servants of the cause and could be a branch of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF).

Khupe must be giddy. She must be ecstatic to have new comrades in Parliament. All in support of the President and his rigid state. Khupe has no trouble sucking up and obeying the crocodile. Mnangagwa have gotten a token friend who follow up and make a farce of the opposition.

If the MDC-T think they are playing this out wisely. They are not. Instead of seeing the pleas, the pain and the suffering of the state. They are instead using the situation to secure meal-tickets, funding and positioning themselves. This is petty politics in the midst of a brutal police state.

Khupe knows what is happening to critics, opposition leaders and activists, she knows what is going on towards the ones who dares to challenge ZANU-PF these days. Still, she is singing along and making show-tunes. Instead, of being a proper opposition. She is only that in name, but could be another stooge. Who is using her platform to undermine Nelson Chamisa and the whole MDC-Alliance.

That is who she are and she lives fine in it. The wealth she inherits, the gold and the silver she earns in this period is tainted. She is accepting the blood-money and the suffering of others. While living like a queen and on the pedestal of the ruling regime.

She could have been a vocal critic, been a daring individual, who had spoken against oppression, dictatorship and the police state. Alas, she is instead, cheering and dancing on the skeletons, the arrested and the ones who is forced to loose their livelihoods.

Khupe is just another lackey. There are no principals she beholds too. Unless, this is making her bank-account pregnant. Then she is going just fine and the pregnancy is soon happening. The due date is near. She will soon have more babies. We can just await another step to tarnish, destroy and humiliate Chamisa.

Because, that is her life now. That is all that she is. Its tragic, a tragedy, but a chosen one. She decided that this was it. Now she has to live with it. This is her legacy. Peace.