Opinion: Mnangagwa is living in an echo-chamber

Our policies have created problems, but we are certain of where we are going. To achieve our goal we have to take measures which are painful, but it will pass and everyone will be happy. Nothing comes cheaply. We have to tighten our belts and I am happy that the worst is over! The bad is past us. Things are going to improve” – President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Mutare on the 18th December 2019

I don’t know if it is the scarf, his yes-men or the cronies around President Mnangagwa that makes this seemingly so. It seems like his echoing the dreams of a narrative, which apparently isn’t true. There is no indication that the financial system is balancing, that the inflation is dipping or stagnating and that the civil servants are paid properly to actually be their livelihood.

Apparently, that is a lost art of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the President. Together with his Ministers comes with statements and predictions, which isn’t panning out. There is different about having personal dreams and the promises of changes as the Head of State.

As long as the doctors, teachers and other civil servants lacks funds because of lack salaries. As long as the lack of foreign currency or even of the local currency itself. That is why with the rising prices and lack of wages, is hard to tell the public that the government has made progress and over the hurdle.

Especially, since the state has stopped dropping inflation numbers. The state have more big-scandals and misuse of government funds, than actually governing. That ZANU-PF is more preoccupied with hunting its enemies, than actually finding ways to solve the crisis. This is a self-made crisis, a crisis made out of misuse of bad policies and greed. They blame the sanctions, but Command Agriculture wasn’t banned by US, neither was the EU stopping the President from spending like a drunk sailor abroad on expensive private jets.

The President can promise a better 2020 and rightfully so. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make it true. When the state isn’t delivering and seems not interested in doing so. They rather battle for the power and eat, than actually doing what is needed. They are just going from one scheme to the next. Hoping someone will bail them out.

The echo is hitting back at the President. He hears it and yawns, but he is not commenting on it. Because, its just his own voice and his not crazy, but the stories that is put on repeat doesn’t make it true. Neither does it amplify the message, it is just saying it over and over. However, that doesn’t make it true, but it just make it sound like either a terrible hook or bad ad-libbing. Peace.

Opinion: Chief Ndiweni removal is out of Smith’s Playbook

Chief Ndiweni or Felix Nhanhla Ndiweni of Umguza district in Matabeleland North Province has been arrested this year, he has been bullied by the state and now in the final straw. That his been deposed or removed by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. That’s all because of his recent actions. The irony is that the state is now doing the same as the ones they was liberated from.

They are already known for the same tactics of oppression, arbitrary arrest, abductions and whatnot of court orders from the Rotten Row. Therefore, the acts of this week to depose Chief Ndiweni is just similar to the acts of Ian Smith, as he deposed the ones who stood against him. Now President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his cronies copies Ian Smith.

As they are initially following the same program as Smith:

Incidentally, the chiefs and headmen are government employees, paid regular salaries, and therefore, expected to carry out government policy no matter how much they may happen to disagree with it. Not surprisingly, they have found very little to disagree with the government on. Chief Tangwena, who has been feuding with the government recently over tribal land which the government had declared European land,is probably an exception” (Vincent Khapoya – ‘African Political Actors in post-U.D.I. Rhodesia: Resistance or Accomodation’, Ufahamu: A Journal of African Studies, 4(2), 1973).

So, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has the same expectations as the Rhodesian Front (RF). They are acting alike with the suppression and deposing of chief Ndiweni. They deposed Tangwena in 1969 and now the same happens 40 years later.

This was even said about this back-then by Dr. Elisha Chambadzwa Mutesa, who was on charged by the state for saying this in a speech on the 1st November 1969: “There is in this district (Makoni), a king, that is King Makoni, and I guess, for his own reasons, he has accepted the name, Chief, which is inferior to that of King or Mambo Makoni. It’s not enough –listen to me –it’ s not enough to be called, King, unless you can rule your domain. It’ s not enough to be called King when you have to solicit from an outsider who gives you twenty pieces of silver per month. And then with these twenty pieces of silver you sell your own people. Some time ago, we had Rekayi Tangwena, Mambo Tangwena (a former ruler, deposed by the Smith regime). There is a man who was made ruler by the African themselves. He had no ring around his neck or marriage with Smith. (Applause)” (Washington Notes on Africa – Volume. 11, Number 2 – ‘Cabral in Washington’).

So, now that ZANU-PF have followed the same paradigm. Removing or deposing on Chief because he spoke out against them. Since he defended the rights of citizens and therefore gotten into trouble. Both legal and personal, the state are taking away his salary, his car and regalia. While they are anticipating to put someone else in as a chief. Whoever that might be, will be in the shadow of Felix. Since his the man and the Chief of Ndiweni.

Seemingly, the state are now taking notes from Ian Smith. Who would know that they would repeat the sins of old like this. From the ones they liberate themselves from, they are copying the tactics of them. As they showing the oppressive behaviour, similar impunity and lack of respect for freedom, liberty and free speech.

The Chief is allowed to speak, but supposed to promote government protocol. The Chief isn’t supposed to oppose the President nor his leadership, even if the hospitals are collapsing or possible famine. Still, the Chief is supposed to praise ED and his policies, even when it destroys the state, a little by little.

The acts of deposing Chief Ndiweni is just a brutal and cruel act, to take away someone’s official title and office, because he dares to speak up against you. That is just like the Smith government of the past. Yet another proof, that the liberators becomes just oppressors they overthrew. Congratulations, and kudos. You are copying the ones whose ills shouldn’t be copied. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Ministry of Local Government and Public Works – Re: Removal of Felix Nhlanhla Ndiweni as substantive Chief Ndiweni: Umguza District: Matabeleland North Province (12.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: Government – Press Release (13.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: Human Rights NGO Forum – Statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day (10.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Honourable Kazembe Kazembe on the current Passport Situation (09.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: ZANU-PF – Press Statement (06.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on targeted subsidies on roller meal (05.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: SHDA – The State of Incapacitation of the Public Healthcare System (04.12.2019)

 

 

Opinion: Mnangagwa is crying crocodile tears now

For structures to work, those of us who put them should respect them, especially when they pass a ruling. I am now going to politics: We had our elections, after those elections, you don’t tell yourself that you have won. Other people are the ones who name the winner. If you enter a race … and you run the race and you get to the finish line, you don’t go there and say it’s me who won, there are other people who announce the winner … these are the institutions that regulate how people live in the country. Now when you can’t listen to the institutions, you will have disobeyed God, because he is a God of order” – President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa on the 2nd December 2019

This President and Head of State is something else, instead of actually acting supreme and delivering to the public. His bitching because the Movement of Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-A) Nelson Chamisa and his opposition party haven’t legitimized President Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). Seriously after the election in 2018 and the November Coup d’etat in 2017.

Still, the former Lacoste and handler of Mugabe needs the blessing of Chamisa. Who would know the ego of this man is like this. Surely, its not enough that his forces sends soldiers and police officers to the venues of the MDC. That they block, arrests and silence the opposition. Hurt civilians and oppress the opposition.

Mnangagwa should know this, his continuing the ZANU-PF ways of going after activists and opposition leaders. It fires doctors doing industrial action against the incapacitation of the health workers in the Republic. Over 90 days without a decent salary, as the economy is tanking and the financial policies not working. The raising inflations, the lack of stable currency and lack of foreign exchange.

Still, all Mnangagwa does is complain that Chamisa doesn’t love him. Chamisa is supposed to have a man-crush on Emmerson. I’m just kidding, but that is how it seems to be. This coming from the same head of state, that sent soldiers to the streets and killed civilians for supporting Chamisa in the Post-Election timeline. After that put the blame on Chamisa and even made the MOPO Act to control the opposition ways of demonstrating and easier to block these. In effect, being worse than his predecessor.

Still, Mnangagwa is saying Chamisa should say: “Mnangagwa is ruling by the honour of the Gods, the grandest and highest servant of the angels from Heaven. The man whose ruling the Republic with the mercy and the salvation of Christ. The man whose reign I shall bless, because Gods says so”.

Well, that will not happen. Neither, is the President acting Godly, worried about the subjects of the state, the citizens nor their well-being, as the state is depleted, the state is broken and the lack of due diligence is everywhere. Instead of securing the basics, like food, shelter and goods, the state is hiring private planes and spending fortunes on “Command Agriculture”. That is just the merciful acts of Mnangagwa.

A man who came by the gun, who will die by the gun and who will automatically expect people’s loyalty. Even when its not deserved or something earned. His only fortune, expect for money is fear. The levels of fear and intimidation is at another level. The President who uses the military and police to monitor and control its enemies, will default at one point or another. The police state and the lack of rule law, will sooner or later haunt this administration.

Mnangagwa might claim its his “God-Given” right to rule, however, that was given to him by the army and loyal allies within the Lacoste. It wasn’t given to him by the Saints nor any of the Angels of the Heavens. No, it was the guns and the will of the army. That shall not be forgotten.

Mnangagwa better cry his crocodile tears. He will not get the stamp of approval from Chamisa. His party headquarters are raided, his fellow allies arrested and so-on. There is nothing the state doesn’t do. Therefore, to ask Chamisa is insane and foolish. It is weak tea and shows that Emmerson needs a ego boost. Because, he knows his fate to rule isn’t forever. That’s why his renaming himself and getting his name on streets. Something he can leave behind, because he cannot leave a legacy of greatness. Since the is none.

The tears might hit his chin, but don’t feel sorry for the man. Feel sorry for all the people struggling to get health care, all the citizens who lacks water, all the citizens who cannot afford basic commodities and who also suffering with their food security. It all because of this man, a man who thinks he should get all glory, but that will not be his story. His acts and together with ZANU-PF will be remembered for everything else. No propaganda can overshadow the grim and dark situation the Republic is in. It is just a matter of time, before he reality hits the upper-echelon and the tragedies get viral. Than, the President cannot beg anyone in his Republic, but he has to go begging abroad to save his ass. Peace.