Opinion: Oppah needs some guidance

“Coronavirus is the work of God punishing countries that imposed sanctions on us. They are now keeping indoors. Their economies are screaming just like they did to ours. Trump should know that he is not God” – Oppah Muchinguri, Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister.

During this weekend, the Zimbabwe Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri really went to far. She really went total Alex Jones and crazy-far right hogwash mentality. People pounding the ills of the worlds and pieces it all together. As the COVID19 or Corona Virus is spreading like crazy. She’s pinning God to the ills and the as an answer to the sanctions put on Zimbabwe. Which is first of all ridiculous and foolish at best.

What I want to ask Oppah, as a man of the bible. Point to what part of the scripture that fits the bill? Where in the bible is there any combination of virus and sanctions? Where is the piece of teachings of Jesus or any of his disciples? Can she find any wisdom in the proverbs or even in the letters in the New Testament?

Because, I cannot find anything that fits the bill. When you speak in this terms, your really putting yourself up for failure. Because, the whole wide is hit with this. Some exceptions, but the virus is spreading and not like it doesn’t hit anywhere. There is someone carrying it and exposing it there.

It seems like Oppah should read chapter 3 of the Letter of James from the New International Version, it states this: “ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:7-12, NIV).

I think Oppah should consider these verses, as they set the tone for her judgement. Especially in the time we are in. As the world is grasping with a pandemic and trying to figure ways to stop it. To contain it and figure out ways to overcome it. Ever state, every nation is using their means and configure things to stop the spread.

Than, instead of using sense, her mind and her spirit to good use. She instead uses vengeance and ill-advised anger towards the United States. The sanctions might be hurting, but so does the grand-corruption, nepotism and all other mismanagement done directly. So, it’s bad when foreigners does something, but not hurting or ungodly when locals does? What does that say about her?

It’s like she could even get the use of this scripture too: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3, NIV).

Seems like Oppah should look into this lesson as well. The US is bad in many regards, but the ZANU PF is acting a fool itself and its reasons for the reasons for the sanctions in the first place. Which haven’t been countered nor changed. The human rights violations persists and doesn’t stop.

So, Oppah, my advice, be more sincere and less usage of scriptures in politics. It usually doesn’t work well. Unless, you want to feed the poor, salvage the hurt and lead people to salvation. However, you were seeking none of that, but saying it was a biblical reason for the virus in connection with sanctions. Which cannot be true and is a lie. Peace.

Opinion: The Mnangagwa Presidency has brought the status quo + less roadblocks and a scarf!

There are reasons for all of this, it is and it is understandable, but however, the ones who thought it would be revolutionary changes after the coup in November 2017. You are wrong, the henchmen and people that was running the nation is still the same, just a twitch of a change in cabinet and stronger presence of the army involved in politics, that is because without President Emmerson Mnangagwa wouldn’t have toppled Grace Mugabe’s G-40 and given the edge to Lacoste of Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front. He just the other guy, who also let a general be his Vice President Constantino Chiweng, the man who controlled the ousting of Robert Mugabe into his position as a gentleman’s thank you for getting rid of his former boss.

So now, that people had high expectations, they have not been met, the only change is a few people and the rhetoric of ED. However, the state of affairs is more of the same. Giving lavish gifts to secure upcoming elections. Letting cronies of the hook to explain scandals, demonstrating students met with police brutality, the good old fashion gumbo of the ZANU-PF. We all got to know under Mugabe. It is just now under Mnangagwa and he is not ceasing the day or afraid of doing so.

The most petite statement came from the President himself talking about his achievements to the state and party paper Harare Herald, where he said: “On corruption, the phrase zero tolerance approach has been backed up by action. We instituted a three-month amnesty to get back stolen funds, mandated all Cabinet ministers to declare assets, created dedicated anti-corruption courts in all provinces and clamped down on police road blocks” (Mugabe, 2018). However, concerning the amnesty, there has been no indication that it worked or been followed by the ministries or the government for that matter. Because none of the possible people behind it has come forward and neither has statistics of possible returned funds. Therefore, seem more like a publicity stunt ala what 50 Cent does with beef, than actual policy.

After 100 days, his biggest achievement is to stop roadblocks by the police, which has been a big money business for police officers to sponge off on meagre salaries. This here isn’t a big thing, it’s a small issue, not a grand one, as the epidemic controlling and state finances that has been bountiful for the ones closest to Mugabe. Now the same might been seen with ED. The Bond-notes are still there, the trying to forge a close relationship with China is still there, the prices of exotic hunting animals are still there. Therefore, anything that is for sale is still possible to buy and that is why the state is still infringed with troubles. That is because they took the head in November 2017, but they didn’t take the roots or his cronies. They were still all there and there today as well.

ZANU-PF is pretty much the same, only a few of the closest allies of Grace is gone. The rest has a position or some sort of play. Because if ED would have a revolution that would go against the core of his existence. Since he has been a key player since the 1980s and knows that the changes will brutal to him to. He will not do that and he will not risk his own political life. Not now, that he has finally exceeded Mugabe. Even if that means paying-off all the people he needs too, until the general election. While the 82 other political parties trying to find their way, especially MDC-T with their new leader. How they will compete with ED.

He has a scarf with the colours of the flag, but he does not have the spirit of needed transformation or change, because that means that he and his cronies has to stop what they are doing. They are earning plentiful and does not want to stop the gravy train. Peace

Reference:

Mugabe, Tendai – ‘ED’s first 100 days a huge success’ (27.02.2018) link: https://www.herald.co.zw/eds-first-100-days-a-huge-success/

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on Experience Sharing Workshop 8-9 February, 2018 (12.02.2018)

Zimbabwe: Justice P.M. Chugumba letter – “Re: Appointment as the Chairperson of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission” (31.01.2018)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. M.J.M. Sibanda on the Mandatory Declaration of Assets by Senior Public Service Officers (23.01.2018)

Opinion: ED might say every right thing now, but follow his actions!

The new Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa might say all the right things. ED might also order a lot of good things. Like he early did order all sort of actions to get back money that has been stolen in the previous administration. Get the funds that has been embezzled during the 37 years under President Robert Mugabe. Still, even with the days without possible problems and also no charges. There hasn’t really come any funds back to Zimbabwe after this order.

ED might say he is for press freedom. Also that he is for free and fair elections. Might speak of possible international investors and get better investor climate. ED might spread the news of public interactions and give credible interviews to international news-organization. All of that might stem from the changes of leadership, because ED will act differently to foreigners, than Mugabe who despised them. That is well known, that is why he even came with blazing thunder in his last United Nations address.

ED might say he will changes things, but since November, what other thing has changed then giving #ThisFlag Evans Mawarire his official freedom. Giving way to opposition parties and letting them all demonstrate once against the Mugabe. Since then, the Zimbabwe hasn’t really changed. The cabinet is filled with lots of same old faces. The government is contained by the army who ushered in ED. They have more power than before.

The Herald has been praising ED and had for long ads filled with praise. They have main articles and usually positive towards the new President. Zimbabwe Broadcasting Company (ZBC) is only still showing live from ZANU-PF rallies and following the family of ED. Like today they showed one rally of the ruling party and also followed the first lady speaking. The MDC-T and others are not usually shown on the channel. Clearly, many things haven’t changed since Mugabe left office.

Other than Grace Mugabe struggling to move her valuables from South Africa and Zimbabwe into Botswana. Where her sons and other family members moving expensive luxury cars and its leaked to the media. Wonder if that was picked up by government and they wanted the former Presidential family to pay taxes on these luxurious items? That would have been noble example. Not only the former G-40 members of cabinet who are eating charges and struggling to redeem themselves after Mugabe’s fall.

That ED has talked about fighting corruption and making the courts proper. Haven’t been proven, it is very selective who is charges and who is criminal of the old elite. That is also concerning, that many in the cabinet is previous leaders, who has done their thing during Mugabe. They will not change, maybe the rhetoric and the ways of ED are different. Still, the reality of people lingering in prison. That political activists are still not 100 % free. That the governance and the state functions are still not functioning. That government services is still depleted. It will take time to fix that and to make it less about one person and build institution. However, ED hasn’t open the doors yet.

ED might do the talk, he promises elections and changes in governance. However, his actions and the ones of the government hasn’t been fruitful yet. Their still pursuing bond-notes, there is still no substantial changes. Some Members of Parliament has been kicked-out and a few officers in the Police Service. Therefore, it is minor changes, like the army took major part of the Cabinet. That should worry, since the army is boasting the same Zanu-PF, just without Mugabe and ED instead. If you don’t see, then your reading the nice print from ED, instead of asking why he is changing the Zanu-PF in anyway?

ED should have started to reform the Zanu-PF more, if he wants to be really serious. The one bringing down the goblin. Doesn’t have to do much, but assess the whole government to assist the government with proper governance. Which means in general, that the ministries will not only give cars to chiefs, but he will actually make Ministries actually do their duty and deliver to the citizens. Its not a magic wand, but acting with the simple ideal of taxation and representation.

ED can do this and also give details on how the election will be and how the they will try to make framework for level playing-field for all parties. Usually, the ruling regime is running over the parties and humble them through the campaigns, even using the state to oppress the others. Therefore, it is time to see if it is all talk or reality. If he is bluffing or planning to open society. Risking it all or besieging his new position.

Time will tell, but not eat it all up and believe that he will change it. ED will not only do it, when he knows that he gets political currency without to much cost the regime. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on De-Dollarisation (17.01.2018)

ZANU-PF preparing for Elections as in previous years – giving posh cars to Chiefs!

The are scheduled for General Election in September 2018. This has the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa after the ousting of 37 years of Robert Mugabe in November 2017. The new Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) government, which is installed with help of the army and has initial ministries run by important military leaders. Clearly, they are gearing up to secure their livelihood and their future.

So over the weekend there are reports that the Crocodile is planning to do what the Goblin used to do. Pay off the cultural leaders and tribal chiefs of the Republic. Since they have asked for the same benefits as the Cabinet Ministers and Principals Secretaries, who are all getting posh-cars for their service and being in government. The same sort of corrupt activity is something the chiefs wants too. Therefore, this January 2018, shows that ZANU-PF is still the same. Just another figurehead. ED is acting just like Mugabe did. Nothing changes, except the for the name of the Presidency. The act of giving away 280 posh cars is something good old Bob would have done if he still was in power.

In January 2018:

“The President assured all other chiefs that they will get their cars before this year’s harmonised elections. “There are 52 cars here today. 26 more will arrive next week and so on. All of you will get their cars before elections but today we will distribute 48 cars, six cars per province,” said Cde Mnangagwa” (…) “I am the one who invited you to this conference. I know that it was supposed to be me visiting each one of you but I realised that you are 280 and if I had to meet one of you every week, it would take me three years to complete. I know that you might be aware of what has happened to our country but I felt it was proper for me to officially brief you on the situation. Yes I am now the new President of Zimbabwe after former President [Robert] Mugabe resigned on 21 November 2017, paving way for my swearing in on 24 November,” he said.” (ZBC, 2018)

That is how ED has done it. Now we can see how Bob did it in his day. This is just in recent years. Not even digging deep into the scandals and the cars that has been given away. Here is some reports from 2012 and 2014. That shows what happen this weekend. Could easily happen in the past. Therefore, ED doesn’t do anything different from what Bob did in his day. That should concern Zimbabweans, who thought ED would bring something new, sorry brother, he brings more of the same.

In July 2012:

“As if taking a cue from cabinet ministers, the force recently purchased the 2012 models of top of the range vehicles like the BMW 328i series saloon cars, Range Rover Sports, Nissan Navara LE double cabs to latest Ford Ranger LXT and double cab Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for senior officers. The delivery of vehicles comes hard on the heels of cabinet’s outrageous splash of over US$20 million for the purchase of Mercedes Benz E280s for ministers, Land Rover Discovery 4 TDis for deputy ministers, and Jeep Cherokees and Range Rovers for permanent secretaries late last year” (…) “Other senior civil servants like principal directors and directors now drive the latest Isuzu KB300Dtec double cabs while parliamentarians have received either Isuzu 300Dtec or Mazda BT50 double cabs. The police took delivery of the vehicles in the last six weeks but the cars have remained out of the public eye since they are unmarked and have no registration plates. The Zimbabwe Independent saw the new fleet parked at the designated senior officers’ parking bays at Police General Headquarters in Harare. Sources revealed that the saloon cars and SUVs were bought for senior officers from the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) to Commissioners and the Commissioner-General” (Zimbabwe Independent, 2012).

In December 2012:

“The government is set to spend almost $9 million on an unbudgeted traditional chiefs’ vehicle scheme after a Parliamentary portfolio committee recommended that each of them receive $35 000 instead of $18 000 to buy vehicles. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government recommended that the 250 traditional chiefs should be allocated $35 000 each to procure vehicles of their choice, as their terms of office were much longer than those of MPs” (Zimbabwe Situation, 2012).

In October 2014:

“Harare – President Robert Mugabe’s broke government is set to splash $ 11 million on off-road vehicles to appease the increasingly vocal chiefs who want to be feted like kings” (…) “On Tuesday, Finance Minster Patrick Chinamasa told Parliament that Treasury was seized with the cheifs’ request off-roader vehicles – 280 Ford Rangers – whose price averages $50,000 at local dealership” (Zvauya, 2014).

So as in 2012 and 2014, that the government are giving traditional chiefs cars for millions of US Dollars. They are doing the same in 2018. Just that its ED instead of Bob doing so. There is no difference in it and the reason behind it. The Traditional Chiefs are getting it months in advance of coming election. To make sure their loyalty to ZANU-PF is still there and taken care off. There is no gifts without a pink slip. The chiefs are getting it, because then they are in the debt of the ruling party. ED knows this and the chiefs knows this. Bob knew that too, when he was doing similar and promising similar gifts to them.

The are promises to be made and also policy changes, but this fit the ordinary pattern of Bob. Only under the new flagship sponsored also by the military leadership who toppled him. ED should be careful, but with this act during the weekend. He was just acting in the same way as Bob. For all the matters of the Traditional Chiefs, he could be Bob. If they get cars from ED or Bob is the same. They are still payed off and paid for loyalty. Not for service delivery, but for staying loyal to the ZANU-PF and the ruling regime as it is. Peace.

Reference:

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Company (ZBC) – ‘Chiefs receive cars’ (13.01.2017) link: http://www.zbc.co.zw/?p=71486

Zimbabwe Situation – ‘Chiefs cars to gobble $9 million’ (18.12.2012) link: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_w_chiefs-cars-to-gobble-9-million-newsday-zimbabwe/

Zimbabwe Independent – ‘ZRP splashes on luxury cars’ (07.06.2012) link: https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2012/06/07/zrp-splashes-on-luxury-cars/

Zvauya, Chengetai – ‘Govt to splash $11m on chiefs’ vehicles’ (04.10.2014) link: https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2014/10/04/govt-to-splash-11m-on-chiefs-vehicles

Zimbabwe: “Only to believe messages from Official Channels concerning the First Family” (29.12.2017)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Acting Chief Secretary to the Assignment of Functions to Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe (29.12.2017)