Can President Mugabe and ZANU PF afford to lose Zuma’s support?-Rashweat Mukundu

Is ZANU PF and President Mugabe behaving like the little bird Nza, who so far forgot himself after a heavy meal that he challenged his chi to a fight?. This Igbo proverb, is best suited to describe the behaviour of ZANU PF and President Robert Mugabe in their latest threats to hold elections with or without a new constitution and ignore South Africa, in this narrow minded pursuit of power.

As we heard this week, the South African government has unequivocally said no to elections in the absence, not only of a new constitution but a full implementation of the Global Political Agreement. As usual, senior ZANU PF officials lined up to attack South Africa, declaring Zimbabwe a sovereign state and reminding us how the President has power to cause an election. First, Zimbabwe is indeed a sovereign state in as far as the conduct of her affairs does not threaten other nations and disturb peace regionally and internationally. As things stand Zimbabwe’s political mess is a regional security threat hence the involvement of SADC resulting in the formation of government of national unity. Add the alluvial diamonds, an 88 year leader with no succession plan, and  a politicised security sector then South African has every reason to make the statements she did this week.  The statement by South Africa is good of ZANU PF, MDC parties, SADC and more importantly the citizens of this country. The South Africans are right because under President Mugabe, Zimbabwe has failed to manage its affairs decently, plunging the country into political chaos and the President was only rescued by SADC. ZANU PF and President Mugabe owe their survival to SADC and not to ‘sovereignty’, the citizens of this country rejected them. Arguments of self determinism are well and good, if that determinism is by the people of Zimbabwe in a free and fair election. As of today the people of Zimbabwe are not free to choose their leaders, nor are contesting political entities able to exercise power should they win, because ZANU PF and the security sector stands in the way. ZANU PF cannot therefore claim sovereignty as if President Mugabe is the Sovereign. Zimbabwe is neither a monarchy nor a one party state. No leader can claim the right to push the country in a direction of their choice for self serving and narrow political interests. In this regard the South African government is right to demand, even beyond and above the SADC mediation process, that there be a free and fair election in Zimbabwe. South African has suffered the most as millions of Zimbabweans jump the border into that country. South African stands to suffer even more, should ZANU PF and the security sector be allowed to railroad a sham election and beat to pulp the majority of citizens to pursue their political agenda.  So Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is right that the South African government expects an election only after a new constitution and full implementation of the GPA. Why is ZANU PF and President Mugabe desperate for an election in 2012 we ask?. Zimbabweans from all walks of life are against elections at this moment because it is not the right moment. We don’t have a new constitution as yet, the voters roll remains in shambles and millions remain unregistered despite the falsehoods from the Registrar General’s office. Zimbabwe is broke, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is broke. Millions of Zimbabweans face hunger this year and there is no money to pay for food. And MPs from both ZANU PF and MDC, the business sector have all spoken against elections.. So in whose interests is this election talk we should ask? Can the political interests of a few people in one party, supported by a few security men be allowed to hold the whole nation at ransom? Is Zimbabwe a personal farm we should ask?. The truth of the matter is that only South African stands between Zimbabwe and the marauding international community that would tear this country apart at the slightest excuse. At this moment ZANU PF and President Mugabe cannot afford to ignore South Africa. If they do, this is a case of history repeating itself. Ian Smith ignored John Vorster’s advice to talk. He paid the price. The Igbo say, “The world is like a Mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place”. We say to ZANU PF you can no longer hide behind sovereignty to abuse others. And the world has shifted, please find out where it stands now before it is too late, and more importantly stand with the people of Zimbabwe.