By Beaven Dhliwayo.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – The promises of independence have emerged as nothing but just a lie where the hopes for a just and equitable rule were never fulfilled, National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) National Chairman Tawanda Kalonga has said.
President Mugabe has been the only leader Zimbabweans have known since the country attained independence from Britain in 1980 and his long rule has seen the country plunge from a jewel of the continent to a basket case while his party has evolved from a strong former liberation movement to an outfit that is tottering under deadly factional fights.
Addressing journalists at the NERA youth independence commemoration in the capital on Wednesday Kalonga said Gukurahundi shall always remain a stuck remainder that the hope for a Zimbabwe for all was a lie.
He said the promise of freedom, justice, and democracy never saw the light of the day.
“Between 1980 and 1990 the ruling party attempted at all costs to turn Zimbabwe into a one party state. The supremacy of the party over the state and the ideal of the constitution escalated.
“Towards the end of the 1990s, the blood and chaotic land reform was carried out resulting in the worst human rights abuse record ever.
“The result was a collapse of our agricultural system as only the ruling elite ended up as multiple farm owners,” Kalonga said.
He said that state machinery for power retention was deployed in full force to contain growing public dissent.
“Thousands were left homeless and when the government unleashed operation Murambatsvina, innocent young men and women were the majority of the victims.
Kalonga also said the electoral system has also become the mechanism of legitimizing Zanu Pf continued reign.
He said the voice and the will of the people remain far from being respected.
“Elections are rigged and violence is used. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has proven to be an extension of Zanu Pf.
“Armed forces interfere with elections, and there is no action whatsoever from responsible authorities.
“The Judiciary is used to undermine political rights and rights to demonstrate and petition as contained in Section 59 of the constitution are squashed through arrests and detentions.
“Far from being the custodian of the law, the courts have become Zanu Pf’s centre of torture and persecution to end voice of dissent,” he said.
Kalonga also pointed that there is no media freedom, no freedom of expression and freedom after expression in Zimbabwe.
“What independence is this, we have suffered enough at the hands of Zanu Pf and we cannot just fold our hands and lament in vain.
“It remains a land of Canaan that never was, this is shame independence. We thus challenge all Zimbabwean youths, home and abroad to take a stand today and say enough is enough.
“You have lied to us for 37 years but not anymore. We demand that all the promises of independence be fulfilled now,” said Kalonga.
The NERA youth chairperson added that they strongly warn Zanu Pf to stop forthwith its intentions of stealing the 2018 elections by interfering with Biometric-voter registration procurement.
“You have stolen elections before, but not now and not ever and we challenge ZEC to urgently implement electoral reforms.
“We strongly challenge all its related commissions, arms of the state and government workers to desist from being used by Zanu Pf government to deny its people constitutional freedoms and rights.
“We will urgently launch a nationwide youth mobilization for voter registration and education,” he added.
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