Opinion: You don’t need a Goblin, when you have a Crocodile!

We know little or nothing has changed, as the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) hasn’t changed since the November 2017. The August 2018 Elections haven’t changed the Presidency either. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is acting like nothing changed. While the public had faith in that, but the goblin left. Mugabe left. However, the Crocodile is acting like him. They are maybe to different individuals, but the ZANU-PF system is pumping like it was a year ago.

The Goblin did certain things. Now the Crocodile does the same. To way that the President have created growing inflation, lack of foreign currency, a fuel crisis and steady unemployment. Just like it was done under his predecessor. While the Crocodile has a short term and brief moment as the Executive. Still, he hasn’t done anything significant or used his powers to any good.

The Crocodile haven’t created much substantial, other than being endorsed for the next elections. That only months in. This before he has even done anything. The economy is in tatters, strikers are detained, shops are empty and fuel stations without fuel. ATMs without cash. Still, he is not the problem.

I was triggered to write all of this because of The Herald Assistant Editor Isdore Guvamombe, as the Herald wrote: “His propensity for political showboating through demonstrations is not only childish but self-serving especially when dealing with a mature democracy like Zimbabwe’s under Zanu-PF. Yes, they will allow him to demonstrate on the streets and yet at the end of the day, it is much ado about nothing, full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing. Nothing! Besides showboating, spending the day on the streets, the demonstrations of that type prove nothing. It is a waste of time by any standards. It defies logic — assuming Chamisa still has some semblance of it — that he wants to have talks with President Mnangagwa, yet he does not recognise him as the Head of State. What nonsense!” (Isdore Guavamombe – ‘Chamisa is THE problem’ The Herald, link: https://www.herald.co.zw/chamisa-is-the-problem/).

Why I am curious about that mature democracy, why are demonstrations and strikes shut down by a mature democracy? Why are activist left behind and never surface again? How come the election results was so hard to come by and looking like precooked stew fit for the ruling party? We have seen all of this mess before with the Goblin and the Harmonized Elections in 2018 was no different. Only the peaceful campaigns until the 1st August Post-Election Violence. That is the ZANU-PF under the Goblin and now also under the Crocodile.

The Herald Assistant Editor tried to mock and make Chamisa look foolish. As he is not Presidential or have the leadership skills. Not to the greatness and grand stature of ZANU-PF. However, the ZANU-PF cannot be that great, when they are every 10 years destroying the economy and making shortages of goods in the Republic. It is special to call Chamisa self-serving, when the ZANU-PF are serving themselves. That is evident in the case of Zimbabwe.

The Republic deserves better leadership, also another voice than the Herald. They are so entitled and self-praising, that the Assistant Editor doesn’t see his viciousness. Chamisa isn’t perfect, but that isn’t Mnangagwa either. However, Mnangagwa has had years in the leadership and doesn’t change. He acts just like Mugabe did.

That is why the Herald has to make a fool out of themselves in favor of Mnangagwa. So, they hope the naive… are eating it like candy, but they shouldn’t. They should think on their own. Peace.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe: Outcome of Investigation of Allegations against certain Senior Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Officials (10.12.2018)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement for the Operations of Private, Voluntary Organizations/ NGOs in Zimbabwe (11.12.2018)

Opinion: PFee Endorsing the Crocodile!

Its only been about few months since the contested and questionable elections of August 2018. When incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa was ready for his first full term as President. As that has happen and we are only about a 100 days since his inauguration and about 120 days from the polls.

The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) are starting to endorse the man, they are starting to prepare for the 2023 elections. They cannot wait to usher in new term with the man, which has barely coped with second one. As the fuel crisis, lack of foreign exchange and other bountiful barriers of problems are on the way.

They are still gleefully aware of it, but endorsing the man. As a token and early Christmas Present.

Like ZANU-PF Bulawayo, ZANU-PF Masvingo, ZANU-PF Womans League and Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA). They have all come forward, saying that Mnangagwa is the sole candidate for 2023. That he is the justified candidate of the party.

What is weird, isn’t it a bit early? Isn’t this a bit to confident or mediocre?

Well, he has just been months away from being sworn-in, just barely scratched the surface of staying in the office and now, people are cheering him in for an another term. Isn’t that a bit rare?

Mnangagwa should know this, that as a political operative as long as he has. This is looking foolish, dumb or even stupid. This is narrow-mindedness on steroids. The sort of cult-like behavior, that doesn’t look good anywhere. Especially, when he has a President hasn’t delivered anything yet. Except for fuel ques, lack of foreign exchange and switched up the Cabinet a notch. The rest is more of the same and lack of progress.

He dropped the stone on an unknown deal with the Chinese to build a new Parliament, but that does not save the foreign exchange crisis, neither the lack of imports because of it. The pains of the people is real and felt. The President doesn’t see it and the ZANU-PF is to blind to even move out of the President own shadow.

These endorsements are as dumb, as it was for the minister to hire Acie Lumumba, you knew that was going to backfire. No real man, who supposed to ouse confidence are getting this barely after being in office for a 100 days. That not taking in account the time between November 2017 to August 2018, which was his first term, nevertheless, this is shameful and showing more Junta-Cult creepy freakshow of a Party. Not a strong force of hope and prosperity. More lackluster blind narrow-minded people praising the commander-in-chief, for him existing and not delivering.

The ZANU-PF are not only having the same sort of regalia, but attitude, the same sort of spirit. This time it isn’t for the god-sent Goblin, but for the Messiahs, who happens to be the Crocodile. The Crocodile to rule them all and for as long he is breathing. They have switched the head of the organization, but acts like it is more of the same. Peace.

Opinion: President Lungu’s first step to Life Presidency!

Today in Lusaka, was the day, where the gloves are off and the reality sets in. It is not that people are opening up presents to early, as the Christmas morning is upon just yet. However, there is someone who got their glee and their grove on. That is Zambia’s own head honcho, their own Wonderboy and Gods Grace, Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Whose been allowed to run for a third term by the Constitutional Court.

That is a significant step, as 106(3) of the Constitution says: “A person who has held office as President is not eligible for election as a third term”. Another person and fellow dictator who did similar trick as Lungu, is Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza, who didn’t amend the Constitution before the election in 2015 after serving already two terms. Now, Lungu is doing the same trick. He thinks he is pulling the rabbit out of the hat, but instead he is showing his true aim. To rule for life.

On the same day, as he is allowed to run for a third term. Daily Nation reports that: “This week on Tuesday during a special interview on ZNBC, Mr Chanda directed Law Enforcement to arrest people using social media to report falsehoods about President Edgar Lungu’s health” (Daily Nation – ‘POLICE TO ACT ON STATE DIRECTIVE, 07.12.2018).

So, clearly the state is in high gear and ready, as anyone questioning and spreading rumors about the President might meet the law at some point. Just like activist and opposition politicians. Because the Patriotic Front isn’t playing around.

That is what the key part of their statement today said: “The Patriotic Front (PF) is delighted with the outcome of the landmark decision of the Constitutional Court that has cleared the path for Republican and PF President His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu to contest the 2021 elections” (…) “We do not have time to waste in any meaningless debate in the aftermath of this court decision on the eligibility; but we are focused to deliver on development. That is what we were elected for. May I also take this opportunity to thank the ever increasing party membership across our nation for their zeal and spirit of brotherhood that permeates through the rank and file of the structures of the Patriotic Front” ( Hon. Davies Mwila – ‘PRESS STATEMENT ON THE LANDMARK DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REGARDING THE ELIGIBILITY OF REPUBLICAN AND PF PRESIDENT- HIS EXCELLENCY EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU TO CONTEST THE 2021 ELECTIONS’ 07.12.2018).

As seen by his own party, they were not playing games about it and gloating in the victory, as if it was a surprise that he would get another term. That was in the cards as there was no evidence of him stepping down or considering doing so. That is why they were so happy with the reasoning from the Constitutional Court which stated like this: “According to the concourt, President Edgar Lungu served for two years and not three years. “A term can only be considered for three years and not two years, President Lungu only served for two years. We therefore declare that he is eligible to contest the 2021 General election. “ stated the concourt” (Zambian Watch, 07.12.2018).

With that in mind, the first stepping stone, the first hurdle, the first giant leap towards Life Presidency has begun, as the President sealed his Third Term. The rest will be from now formalities. Now, we just have to await amendments and changes of the laws. To make him eligible again. As he cannot pull off the same trick to run again. Than, he has the whole time or the whole term.

We have seen this elsewhere and now we know, Lungu is in for the long-con, not the short-con. He is not leaving and anticipate to rule indefinitely. Nothing else seems unlikely. Especially today. Peace.

Zimbabwe: A County for Old Men!

Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.”Groucho Marx

Today, there is proof again, that the old patriarchy is still alive and kicking it. Even as the advanced age Goblin, who are told cannot move and is in hospital care in Singapore. As that is happening, the ZNLWA are still on their game. They we’re revoking the rights of Mugabe to help usher in President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November last year. However, now, they are just sounding like old-folk who forgotten their origin. But before I dig into that, let us look at what the War Veterans wish for.

First the quote of the day:

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has called for a constitutional amendment to raise the presidential age limit from 40 to 52 years to ensure anyone who contests for the presidency is mature enough to fully grasp the gravity of what it means to run a country. Speaking at a press conference in Harare today, ZNLWVA secretary general Cde Victor Matemadanda also called for laws to deal with people who call for sanctions on the country or those accused of economic sabotage” (The Herald – ‘JUST IN: War vets seek to raise Presidential age limit’ 04.12.2018).

When the War Vets are saying people have to be old to be President. Their liberators, the leaders who freed them from the toils of previous dictatorship and colonization, the likes of Father of Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo was born in 1917 and established Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) in 1961, which means he was leadership material at 44. While Robert Mugabe, the Prime Minister and President from 1980 to 2017. He established Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) in 1963 out of ZAPU. Mugabe was at that point 39 years old, as he was born in 1924. Last, but not least, was Morgan Tsvangirai who was born in 1952 and established Movement for Democratic Change in 1999. Which means that he was 47 years old when he formed his party. Therefore, with this in mind. The age of the leadership doesn’t fit the War Vets. All of them would have been to young for the current War Vets and their paradigm shift of old.

It is surely with someone in mind, that they are targeting the likes of Nelson Chamisa and others up-starters, as they want their old cronies and older generation to keep power. Instead of opening up the door for the next generation. Because the War Vets knows that Operation Restore Legacy cannot last forever and their rampant cronyism cannot last until infinity.

That the WNLWVA was positive to the older generation is only natural. They have lived through it and are loyal subject to the ZANU-PF, the Junta government who are feeding them. They want to serve Mnangagwa and secure his reign. This is a token in that regard.

I just took the examples of Nkomo, Mugabe and Tsvangirai as they are top-notch and long-standing leadership of the Republic. They have been part of it or has made significant impact to it. Which is shown today. If it wasn’t for them, Zimbabwe wouldn’t be as it is today. Therefore, when the War Vets are saying you have to be over 50 years to be President. That means, when these leaders was starting their parties and being in their mid-age, they wouldn’t have been fit to challenge the powers. They would all fall flat as consequence, that they hadn’t been breathing long enough on planet earth. Which is a stupid excuse to stop people from seeking the highest office.

Maybe the War Vets doesn’t see that, because they are old themselves and think they are bloody geniuses. However, your not, you have just breathed longer than plenty living on Gods Green Earth. Peace.

Zambia: UNPD – People Power, Our Power, Our Land (30.11.2018)

God’s time is the best and no man can change God’s calendar.A mango tree does not worry when the orange tree is producing fruits in it’s season.

We celebrate 20 years of UPND existence in our own way and God’s calendar in line with ‘People Power,Our Power,Our Land in the midst of economic and political struggle for a better Zambia.

God has been with us for these years to prevent and defend democracy from being buried by political vandals.

The party has grown and spread like fire to all parts of the country since the demise of the founding father the late Anderson Mazoka and may he rest in peace.

Had it not been for UPND to be in opposition under the wise leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and his visionary team, there was not going to be a strong voice to speak for the voiceless and the down trodden.

Zambians could have been fearing to exercise their democratic right.

It is worthy to celebrate the party’s existence and with Mr Hichilema’s courageous and visionary leadership including members sustaining the party under difficult times.

Without UPND in opposition Zambia could have been reversed to a one party state a long time ago.

And UPND has remained strong when other political parties within a space of one year died while others just continue existing on paper.

We have planted a strong political foundation for opposition political parties to survive.

Once in government; we shall provide condusive environment for any opposition political party to freely offer checks and balances as oppose to Patriotic Front who are always oppressing the opposition.

The slow movement of a lion doesn’t show weakness or being tired but calculated steps to get it’s prey.

We never went to the streets to fight our stolen victory but sought legal intervention because we respect the rule of law and trusting God to see us through.

It is not how fast one builds a house but how firm and strong it will be when the storm comes.

Happy 20 years of experience in opposition and now it’s time to run government with a vast experience of leadership from the opposition.

People Power,Our Power,Our Land!!

Issued by:
Neto Halwabala
UPND Deputy Spokesperson
Southern Province

ZANU PF Youth League Press Statement (27.11.2018)

Zimbabwe: Post Election Violence Commission of Inquiry 2018 – Press Statement (27.11.2018)

Zimbabwe: Zimra – Public Notice on all Designated Foreign Currency Dutiable Goods (23.11.2018)