By Dr Takavafira Zhou.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – This epistle is an objective historical analysis, and must be fully comprehended within this trajectory, nothing less and nothing more. If Zanu pf political expediency was not outrightly clear in the SC judgement, the recall of MDC Alliance Mps Hon Mutseyami, Hon Thabitha Khumalo, Hon Hwende by Speaker of Parliament, and Senator Timveous by President of Senate has clearly demonstrated Zanu pf romance with Khupeists, Mwonzoraists and Komichists.
That MDC Alliance and MDC-T contested as two distinct political parties in 2018 elections makes it clear that only MDC Alliance can recall its Mps and Senators. For the Speaker of Parliament and President of Senate to announce the recall of MDC Alliance personnel on the pretext of Mwonzora’s notification baffles logic and common sense.
It is clear that the Khupeists supported by Zanu pf have strengthened their war chest and are now angling for money earmarked for MDC Alliance in order to hold their Extra Ordinary Congress. It is clear MDC must budget for the worst as Zanu pf – MDC-T romance seems to be well oiled with the intent to decimate MDC Alliance for merely questioning the legitimacy of ED and refusing to join POLAD. This is a recipe well prepared over a long period, no wonder why ED adopted an intransigent and irresponsible hardline stance over dialogue with MDC Alliance, and resisted mediation.
It is noteworthy that genuine political parties go throw such experiences. Even PF Zapu and Zanu pf went through such experiences in the early 1970s and mid to late 1970s, respectively. The reality is that the grassroots has remained united against Khupe, Mwonzora and Komichi, and support Nelson Chamisa. As such, the length and breadth of Zanu pf siege may actually produce opposite results from those intended. History has shown how political parties have grown by leaps and bounds under persecution of its leaders or supporters. At any rate nothing comes easy and easy politics never last forever.
The intention of the Zanu pf siege is to try to impose Khupe’s leadership over MDC Alliance. The success of such a siege will be measured by Khupe’s ability to hold a legitimate National Council to give a green light for the Extra Ordinary Congress, let alone getting the 2014 delegates to grace the Extra Ordinary Congress in the next three months. Such a feat looks impossible in light of grassroots resistance to Khupe’s leadership. Rather than pacifying resistance the recall will certainly solidify resistance and MDC Alliance may emerge from these experiences hardened, vigilant and resilient. Zanu pf can not therefore strengthen the weak (Khupeists or MDC-T) by weakening the strong (MDC Alliance) or weaken the strong by strengthening the weak. MDC Alliance is certainly more than being an Mp or Senator. MDC Alliance is about offering an alternative democratic gvt and egalitarianism to long suffering Zimbabweans currently under the grinding yoke, grasping kleptocracy and thuggery of Zanu pf, through the ballot box. It is however, clear that Zanu pf is bent on forcing MDC Alliance into war, and although the ballot box is faster than the bullet, it is prudent for MDC Alliance to change tact in dealing with Zanu pf political thuggery and romance with Khupeists.
It is important to note that a party that continues to produce soft-minded leaders and supporters purchases its spiritual death in an instalment plan. To wait for favourable opportunities when Zanu pf and Khupeists are urinating on MDC Alliance leaders and supporters and telling them its raining, is vapid, vogue and vacuous. Our history is pregnant with examples of people who successfully fought for their rights by any democratic means necessary and MDC Alliance is no exception.
While many people would argue that it is prudent to appeal to the courts given the legal lacuna created in the recall, it is prudent to note that MDC Alliance is facing a political and not legal quandary. The captured courts are unlikely to legally determine the recall, but rather amplify a political hymn from their masters. The real battle is over control of grassroots supporters, and MDC Alliance leaders would add value to democracy by channeling the pent up forces of multitude of its supporters to meaningful direction.
It is such supporters who were delegates to the 2014 Congress and can collectively resist being hoodwinked into an unpalatable Extra Ordinary Congress. It would be suicidal to participate in such Extra Ordinary Congress and legitimise Zanu pf rigging of the worst order. MDC Alliance leaders were chosen by multitude of grassroots supporters at the 2019 Congress in Gweru and must therefore protect the democratic votes thrust upon them until 2024. The uniform of a guerrilla is the colour of his/her enemy. Two most important pre-requisites of successful guerrilla warfare are a thorough knowledge of the terrain and co-operation of the local population. Two most pre-requisites of MDC Alliance success are a thorough knowledge of Zimbabwe’s political landscape and grassroots support.
That political landscape would be incomplete without knowing Zanu pf strengths and weaknesses and MDC Alliance strengths and weaknesses, that collectively can be capitalised upon to fight a thousand battles without losing one. In line with Robert Green grand strategy, even where MDC Alliance may lose battles (as over recall of Mps and Senators) it must must win the democratic war. MDC Alliance must never be measured by the number of times its leaders fall down, but by the number of times they pick themselves up. Every extra ordinary situation produces extra ordinary leaders and supporters that must collectively rally behind MDC Alliance’s current best foot forward, Nelson Chamisa. The people that in essence elected Mps that are now being recalled must be ready to defend their votes by all democratic and peaceful means necessary. Action and reaction are equal and opposite.
Venceremos
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou
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