Opinion: Mnangagwa warns observers, as if it was the “good-old” days!

I want to tell observers that they should do what they came to Zimbabwe for, they should not meddle in the internal politics of this country, the airport is there, they will leave.”Emmerson Mnangagwa on the Final Rally in Harare yesterday, 28.07.2018.

Just like the weirdness of Nelson Chamisa endorsing Mugabe yesterday, there was one thing that was like another relic of the past, that shouldn’t be there. Now the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa have used the scare tactics of his previous master. If he was democratic and had faith in the institutions of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), he should not fear the observers and their reports. They are just stating what they see on the ground and possible misgivings in the process.

It is just so weird that in the final stages of the election, the relics of Mugabe are re-appearing for the people to see. Just like November 2017 had less value. You can wonder if Mnangagwa couldn’t hold his tongue, since he had to be like his previous boss. He has learned from Mugabe and clearly shown that will rule like him. It is just the change of head, but the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) are still run like the old ones did. Just a few minor changes, more PR stunts, but less reforms than needed.

Mugabe in 2008:

Mugabe went on to say that U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee would be expelled from the country if he “persisted in meddling in Zimbabwe’s electoral process,” the newspaper reported. The fallout from Zimbabwe’s stalled election has brought international criticism, with Frazer taking the most emphatic stance. In April, Frazer accused Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly three decades, of “trying to steal the election” and “intimidating the population and election officials as well.” (CNN – ‘Mugabe labels U.S. diplomat a ‘prostitute’ 26.05.2008).

We should not hear the relics of the past, Mugabeisms should be gone and went away in November 2017. But that shows his power behind the scenes and how much impact he has in his Presidency, as the now incumbent sounds just like him. Mnangagwa should know better, but with his confidence, he is thinking this is wise. That the government shield itself and not like to act all transparent and act with questionable behavior. This is why people have found ghosts in the voter rolls and found misgivings in the questions of the ballots. There are so many open questions and the polls are around the corner.

However, Mnangagwa acts like he was Mugabe. That is not a good sign for the polls and neither for the coming days. As who knows how this will play out. There been positive signs, but there are still a strong Zanu-PF, that I doubt would accept loosing, neither would MDC-Alliance. Therefore, the polls and the aftermath will be something else.

Let’s have hope for a better tomorrow and not more return of old. Zimbabwe don’t need that, it needs to move-on into greener pastures. Peace.

Opinion: Chamisa should have swayed away from Mugabe!

Robert Mugabe is a citizen of Zimbabwe, former president, the president of the first republic who is going to hand over to the second president of the republic – myself here, present.” Nelson Chamisa on the Final Rally before the Vote today, 28th July 2018.

It is like the 15th November 2017, the end of the long dictatorship of Mugabe is sort of pointless, even after his end. He trolls the political landscape and make sure to make the elections more interesting, than they need to be. Robert Mugabe shouldn’t matter in politics today, but he does because he interferes and the Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance, Presidential Candidate Nelson Chamisa bring him back to the table.

This is gold goose for the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Even though the he has been his second in command and helper for the last 37 years, still it will be golden brownie points to see and hear this. Especially in the final stages before the polls. You cannot make this up.

I don’t understand Chamisa, he should celebrate and fight the continued struggle of Morgan Tsvangirai, the fight to end the dictatorship of Mugabe. Not use his endorsement and be the bearer of his legacy now. It is not like the MDC have been in favor of Mugabe, they have worked against him. The Zanu-PF could have had more use of it, since they are his party and is his second in commands. The people in and around Mnangagwa is still the ones who worked closely with Mugabe.

The coup d’etat in November, might changed the President and the VP, but the same leadership is based on what Mugabe built and that is what Mnangagwa inherited. The political landscape is like when he left. There might been more peaceful campaigns, might been an inch more open and little progress, but not to the level of transparency and where Zanu-PF have lost any control. Therefore, the election might be without the direct army control and intimidation, but the Zanu-PF still owns the institutions and the opposition might struggle on the day of the polls.

These sort of statements and usage of Mugabe is weird from the MDC-Alliance. Chamisa should know better, this is not a positive, it is a negative. It is vindictive to his own cause, it is not making him look like a grown politician or outsmart tactician. It make him look like a stooge and pawn, instead of a leader of the future. He should disown and disengage Mugabe.

No sane man, miss the days of Mugabe, just like it has been the Mugabe 2.0 under Mnangagwa. Some more scarfs, some more positive signs, but a lot like the good old days under Mugabe. Chamisa could have played more on it. Instead, its like he blindly like to go into a trap. He should have dismissed it and made a fool out of himself.

The cheers and joys of toppling him, seems like forgotten by Chamisa, he just want the added strength, that Mugabe still have, but will it though?

Chamisa, for me this is a rookie mistake and the Zanu-PF will pound on it, even if it just barely hours left before the polls. That is because he opened a can of worms. How that might sting, who knows, but clearly not words of wisdom.

Mnangagwa can this and will, even if he the old-guard, the ones keeping the legacy of Mugabe and acting kind of like him. Chamisa should use that, not speak of endorsement and friendly. That train should have been past this November.

However, that is not how it went. Let see how this plays out. This is not brilliant, but more headache and worry, as the outcome are most likely rigged in favor of Mnangagwa, because ZEC is owned by the party. Nevertheless, the reality is that if your trying to prove a point and be different than Zanu-PF, why be positive about the man entrapping society for 37 years?

That bothers me and shouldn’t be acceptable, if your a candidate that is against the old regime and the current one. It just doesn’t make sense to me. That is just it. Peace.

Opinion: Chamisa comes with a voice of reason, meanwhile Mnangagwa offers him prison!

This is not breaking news, that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is biased and is working deliberate for the ruling regime, just like it did under President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe might be hiding out at the Blue Roof, but his spirit is still part of all government organizations. Even if the current successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa are trying to succeed in the General Election this 30th July 2018. This has been done with a lot of flair and fashion, but not much strength. Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) are naturally steering for their own victory. That is why they haven’t been open and transparent about any parts of the tenders, production of voter rolls, neither ballots as well. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission could shown another flair and fashion, actually proven to all parties that they want to something else than a nodding machine for Zanu-PF.

That is why it is relieving to hear Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance Presidential Candidate Nelson Chamisa, whose in first campaign rolling out the big-guns and creating a positive atmosphere for change. Still, the regime haven’t shown the same favor in the campaign, even the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has himself claimed the coup of November 2017 isn’t until the polls are over in 30th July. Therefore, the comments from Chamisa makes sense. When the VP and ZEC haven’t shown transparency and democratic values, even if the public spirit is behind. He doubts in the system. That is natural, as the junta and dictatorship have lasted for over three decades and will want to stay there.

Chamisa’s own words:

We will not boycott the election, we can’t boycott our victory, we can’t boycott our mandate… we are the winners of the July 30 elections” (…) “It is clear we have a ZEC that is biased. It has lost the confidence and trust of the people of Zimbabwe. We have a ZEC that has thrown away the whistle as a referee and decided to join another team.” (…) “There has been a clear and consistent negation of standards … Even at this stage, information on the number of ballots printed, where they were printed and their security remains unknown,” (…) ““We know them and from our intelligence, they are panicking and afraid of an election. [Zanu-PF and Zimbabwean President Emmerson] Mnangagwa knows that defeat is starring in his face” (…) “We want to assure [Mnangagwa] him that he has nothing to fear. He has done his part. He should not be afraid of the inevitable. Victory is certain” (…) “He must be there to accept defeat in magnanimity. And we are ready to embrace him as we go forward as a citizen, a former president and a liberation icon” – Nelson Chamisa at Press Conference on 25th July 2018 (Africa News Agency – ‘Chamisa rules out poll boycott’ 25.07.2018 link: http://www.polity.org.za/article/chamisa-rules-out-poll-boycott-2018-07-25

If you would think the last days before the polls would be peaceful and nice. You are terribly wrong. The Words of Chamisa makes sense. But ZANU-PF are clearly not playing around and shows the reason for the words of the MDC-Alliance Presidential Candidate. If Mnangagwa and Chiwenga was democratic stature, the words portrayed by Mnangagwa today wouldn’t have even been uttered:

As political parties, we signed a pledge for peace ahead of elections. All 55 parties taking part in the elections signed, but to my surprise, some little boy and a small party turns around to say he wants to shut down Harare” (…) “Oooooh, my father Shumba! How does he want to achieve that? As who? Getting support from where?” (…) “I heard that he changed his heart and said he wanted peace and if he does that, we welcome him. He is our son, we allow him to traverse throughout the country asking for your vote, but if he chooses chaos, law and order will prevail” (…) “If you act in a peaceful manner, we will not touch you. You will stay in opposition doing your things while time moves and we will continue ruling over you. We can’t close out opposition because we need it. If it’s not there, then we won’t have anyone to rule over” (BLESSED MHLANGA /RICHARD CHIDZA/EVERSON MUSHAVA – ‘We’ll arrest Chamisa: ED’ 25.07.2018 link: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/07/well-arrest-chamisa-ed/).

Mnangagwa really shows his trait, as he wants to detain and arrest. Want to continue to rule, like Chamisa is lucky to be traveling around Zimbabwe, but after campaigning; he is just another citizen to control. That really shows how far and what happens when a party rule to long. The entitlement are there and natural. When Mnangagwa are expecting the result in his favor and have the machinery behind it to get that result.

Chamisa also talked about victory, but the rallies upon rallies have shown the popularity behind him and not empty confidence from the opposition leader. Mnangagwa clearly have to intimidate, as he has done as leader, instead of building a peaceful way into the elections. The lack of transparency and trust in the institutions of Zanu-PF is because of this. The personal cult around Mugabe have been moved to Mnangagwa, but he thinks it is for the grabs and can do as in past.

However, the world have moved and is ready for something from August 2018. They are ready to put their trust in someone else, than the ones who helped Mugabe and his administration. They are still there lingering and taking the state for granted. Like the people don’t know and haven’t seen the lack of change since November 2017. That is the reality.

Chamisa and all the others have exposed that. Mnangagwa should have another tone. This is inciting fear and misuse of power, not being a statesman. Mnangagwa should know better, but he don’t. Who can blame him? He has gone in-schooling of Mugabe for decades and that shows.

It is just days, the real result is to come, what the outcome will be, but Zanu-PF are ready to use their resources and state machinery to get their way. Peace.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission: Update on Poll Preparations (18.07.2018)

Zimbabwe: ZESN Conducting Independent Audit of the Voters’ Roll (11.07.2018)

MDC Letter to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission: “Re: Request for a Meeting” (04.07.2018)

EU EOM – Chief Observer Brok: “the 2018 harmonised Elections are a Critical test of Zimbabwe’s reform process” (06.07.2018)

Zimbabwe: Statement on the Termination of the ERC Cooperative Agreement with USAID (05.07.2018)

Build Zimbabwe Alliance (BZA): Statement by Dr. Noah Manyika on Party Inspection of Ballot Printing Paper (05.07.2018)

Zimbabwe: Counselling Services Unit statement on suspension of funding by USAID (04.07.2018)