By Forward Madyira
WHICHEVER way one looks at it, Zimbabwe has seemingly entered a dangerous and turbulent era – marked by serious political skullduggery, and subterfuge – and culminating in March 31’s failed demonstrations, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s pseudo impeachment process.
Amid rapid socio-politic developments such as vicious rumours around Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s imminent sacking, businessman Kuda Tagwirei’s cooption into the Zanu PF central committee, security sector changes and “phantom bombings” at four premises owned by regime insiders adding fuel to the powder keg that is Harare’s current politics, many might have missed ex-MDC organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe’s recent voice of reason warning that: people MUST be wary of being used as pawns in Zanu PF’s internal fights.
“The current situation… is complex (and) a result of Zanu PF’s internal power struggles (and) the ruling party is (also) divided over the proposed constitutional amendments to extend… government from 2028 to 2030,” the former opposition kingpin said, adding that “people must not drawn into this internal strife, as the ruling party will remain in power”.
“To all Zimbabweans, l say beware of being used… as happened in 2017 – a coup, which was orchestrated by the army on behalf of the lacoste faction..,” Bhebhe said.
With the sponsors of March 31’s civil disobedience project – fronted by Blessed Geza – being the same elements behind calls for Mnangagwa’s ouster campaign, there are several disconcerting factors and emerging theories, which have sparked quite a lot of misgivings and skepticism about this whole crew or cabal’s real motive in wanting to unseat Mnangagwa. These include potential disruptions to the economy, encouraging a culture of anarchy and deceptive infodemics to achieve their ends, hence people must not be overexcited about what is happening in the country at the moment.
Apart from their half-hearted approach, if not lacklustre performance marked by the former Sanyati legislator’s “cancellation” of his street protests, mundane “naming and shaming of the usual suspects”, general lack of clear guidelines and agenda as to what will happen if the herculean task of removing the current government succeeds, strategic blunders of leaking their impeachment letter and other plans to a formidable foe or rival – with financial, and logistical capacity – like the 82 year-old leader and their desperate desire for senior public positions, this has heightened people’s doubts about their sincerity for change of guard or the status quo.
“Geza and company might have legitimate grievances that resonate well with the majority – as epitomised by deep discontent over this socio-economic malaise – such that they have been able to incite and fuel anger against Mnangagwa’s government, but people must thoroughly interrogate whether this a principled fight for the emancipation of the people or just an expedient exercise on behalf of cronies booted out of feeding trough positions,” said a regime insider.
“As it is, the abuse of ‘convenient names’ and entities like Pedzai Sakupwanya, Tagwirei, John Mangudya, George Guvamatanga and Agrifora came after the government had reportedly moved to slash monthly security-sector invoices from US$26 million-plus to just a third of that under its centralised procurement system, and decision to procure stuff and materials directly from suppliers. While some individuals were reportedly pocketing US$15 per kilogramme of beef and now down to US$4,90 under a working arrangement with independent consultants, supplies have also stabilised across security establishments and police uniform factories are buzzing with activity as they are getting material from source markets such as India,” they said, adding “these partnership had actually yielded savings to be channeled towards other social services and claims that Sakupwanya was not paying value added tax were false, as gold is exempted from such fees”.
The government, it is said, had not only adopted this progressive policy after forming a multi-agency committee to identify and engage suppliers directly, and which also cut out some middlemen and reduce fiscal losses through inflated car hire, equipment, food ration, duty-free fuel and uniform supply deals, but this could be the genesis of the current war and which even includes members of parliament.
And as events, which could be interpreted as a political metamorphosis of sorts, continue to unfold in this conspiracy and misinformation-filled republic, it is not only clear that some bystanders’ were always going to dragged through the mud – as the political gladiator that is Geza seeks to galvanise anger, and inflict maximum damage or injury by playing up the anti-2030 and corruption card as well – but it is also easy to understand why some individuals like Mangudya, Guvamatanga and others are being targeted based on their government positions, vast swathes of national assets and socio-economic portfolios, if not perceived influence, they possess or preside over.
While the former oversees about 60-plus companies under the Mutapa Investment Fund, the treasury secretary supervises the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe, national payments and public finances system infrastructure, Public Service Pension Fund, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Securities and Exchange Commission, Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency, private-public sector investment committee and Victoria Falls fund.
But the tragedy of this reckless naming and shaming strategy as well as exercise in this politically-charged environment is that it risks compromising other people’s security as well as endangering their lives.
As suggested in a separate opinion in this influential paper in September last year, Zimbabwe is not only in the throes of a serious malinformation storm and where people MUST be careful about what they consume, and believe as true, but there is no price for guessing that we have not seen the last of this self-destructive path of Machiavellian politics and guerilla warfare or tactics.
While Geza’s plan also seems to be “more about sound and fury” – and to a point that many could be feeling his missile has somewhat “failed to launch for now” – there are many banana skins and pitfalls for this anti-establishment movement, and it’s agitators proponents too in months ahead!
*Madyira is a UK-based social commentator, who writes in his personal capacity.
