Opinion: Lungu and Magufuli are two sides of the same coin

This week has been a lesson, people should be aware that the Zambian President Edgar Lungu and Tanzanian John Pombe Magafuli are using similar tactics to stifle their opposition leaders. These two gentlemen in power is using their authority and state apparatus to stop them.

President Lungu will most likely target his main competitor Hakainde Hichelema (UPND), expect that HH will be in trouble regardless. HH was not only targeted by the Police and used tear-gas on the crowds as the President wanted to hold his rally at the same town. Lungu instead of being a statesman. We couldn’t expect that ahead of the elections in 2021. As the Zambian authorities have blocked rallies just because they lack space in their prison locally last year. So, don’t expect HH to not get into legal trouble and somehow get the blame for the violence ushered from the state. Because, that was a guy like Lungu does.

President Magufuli will continue with his rampage and oppressive behaviour towards the opposition. This will be centred at ACT-Wazeledo Zitto Kabwe and CHADEMA’s Tundu Lissu. They will struggle to hold rallies, to get people to be candidates or even charged with money laundering. So, that they cannot be on the ticket against Magufuli. That is what the likes of Magufuli does. He will do it in the election year and all justification is national security, but they always hit the opposition and their candidates.

Lungu and Magufuli are using their tools, the state and their office to ensure yet another election. Don’t expect this men to play fair. Neither do they have any ideals, mythical ethos or a paradigm shift that will make a difference in their republic’s. Why do I say that?

Well, if you cannot compete in the political sphere on ideas, manifestos or political framework in general. Because, there is no space to do so in these respectable places. Since they cannot accept a fair competition, neither free nor fair elections coming up.

HH in Zambia, Kabwe and Lissu in Tanzania will all be in trouble as the elections are getting near. Their Presidents cannot manage to deal with opposition, neither with someone who has character or has the ability stand their ground. That is why, they got to make their ways illegal. To silence them and stop their movement. They will charge them with money laundering, treason or whatever thing they pin on the gentlemen. That is what the likes do.

If these presidents was sincere, they would have made them able to campaign and do internal party works. Even hold Press Conferences and so-on without meeting the courts. However, they are not allowing it. That is why they cannot stand for anything else, than themselves and their own glory.

A glory that will fade, a lack of acceptance and understanding of other human beings. Because, everyone supposed to follow the Presidents without any consideration. If they question them, you better keep it silent and not talk about it. Since, they might track you or let you into the same trouble as the opposition leaders.

These leaders doesn’t target goals or development at this point. They target their own will to stay in power and use any means to do so. If you think otherwise. Check their track-record and their platforms. Peace.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe: Press Statement on the Liberalization of Foreign Exchange Market (13.02.2020)

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Zimbabwe: ZERA – Public Notice – Investors, licensees urged to engage ZERA directly (30.01.2020)

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association: Update Statement (18.01.2020)

Zambia: ZESCO – Zesco to Reduce Loadshedding Hours following Full Resumption of Maamba Collieries Limited (17.01.2020)

Zimbabwe: Government – Press Statement (15.01.2020)

Zimbabwe: Citizens’ Manifesto – As we enter 2020, Citizens’ Manifesto Reterates Calls for Comprehensive Socio-economic and Political Reforms (14.01.2020)

Zimbabwe: Constitutional Amendment No. 2 is a ballad of love to the President

Too much power in one mans hands

Is dangerous

She has never tasted freedom

And all the things

We take for granted

Then she looked at me and said

Son, Is this the end of our suffering?”Lucky Dube – ‘Is This Freedom?’ from ‘Soul Taker’ released: 2001.

The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and President Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning to control more and consolidate more power in the Head of State and the party itself, as they have gazetted the Constitutional Amendment No. 2. It is really a sad reading, as the intent is clear. To give even more power to the President.

They want the President to appoint the two Vice-Presidents and not have a “running mate” in the elections. That the Vice-President will be chosen by the President and appointed by him. Taking away the need for a VP in the elections. Also, giving the authority and the team around more directly taken from the President.

Just like the President can with the change of another clause, be able to appoint 7 Ministers outside of the Parliament, instead of 5, which is limited today. Making more way for possible cronies and loyalists from the outside.

Also, giving the President the authority to appoint vacant judges without public interview procedure. Even if he has to this through Judicial Service Commission (JSC), it still not stopping him from having more power and getting his people easily appointed without the public mechanisms, which was there before.

By just seeing these provisions or clauses in the Constitutional Amendment No. 2. says a lot about what the President and his men wants. This is to consolidate more power to the President and give him power to whose succeeding him and whose his “mates”. This is one more step for a one-man show.

I don’t even need to study the Amendment hard. The focus is clear. Give more power, get more cronies and ensure the judicial appointments are hand-picked by the President. There is nothing else too it.

So, if the Parliament votes this in, then they are all loyal minions of the President and wants to give him power. Because, they hope in the end, they will be compensated for doing so. If they go against him here, he will surely make these people suffer some way or another. Don’t expect him to give them peace of mind, if they don’t give him this.

The public should be worried about clauses in the Constitution, because it gives the President extended powers. It gives him more freedom and liberty to hire his people. He has less public scrutiny. That is a worrying sign. Not like the ZANU-PF is really tested in Parliament, but there was provisions showing something to the public before they we’re appointed.

I cannot see any provision made for the betterment of the Republic, only to empower the President. Nothing else. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Office of the President and Cabinet – Press Release (08.01.2020)