The recent media
fever that gripped the nation about former ZANU PF women league political
commissar, Tracy Mutinhiri, who was also a house of assembly member for Marondera
East, joining MDC-T came not as a surprise to those who know the Zimbabwean
political landscape very well. While many “celebrated" that Mutinhiri had joined MDC-T, after being
treated unfairly by ZANU PF ,Rugare Gumbo, the party’s spokesperson, had no
kind words for her, he described her as
someone who had always worked against ZANU PF.
However, her deflection
was celebrated in the MDC-T to my utter
amazement, of course her dismissal is testimony of the serious party squabbles
and divisions within ZANU PF.The Zimbabwean political landscape has proved to
us over and over that everyone who was once a member of ZANU PF is a
suspect.Noone trusts them because even if their intentions are genuine, they
remain public enemy number one.
For example MP for Tsholotsho, Jonathan Moyo
was kicked out of ZANU PF in 2004 after the infamous Tsholotsho declaration.
The coming years saw Moyo turn into a fierce critic of Mugabe whom he once sang
praise and worship hymns for on national television during his stint as
information minister. He once compared Mugabe to a lame duck and even argued
that even if Mugabe was to contest in an election, against a donkey, he would lose.
He was later readmitted into the party and this time around he is now a critic
of the MDC-T
This proves that
politicians will never change, once a ZANU always a ZANU.The serious hero
worship within Zanu on the person of Mugabe shows the gross demeaning
bootlicking that is within the so-called revolutionary party. Honestly what is
revolutionary about the party when it cannot deal with minor party disagreements,
let alone succession? People don’t trust Moyo because of his ever changing
political form. The same can be said about Simba Makoni, though unlike Moyo he hasn’t
rejoined ZANU PF as yet, he remains suspect number one. Many still see his
party Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD), as a mere ZANU PF creation meant to confuse
the electorate. Though he has denied these claims, people never take him
serious.
The same can be said about Dumiso Dabengwa and Thenjiwe Lesabe who quit ZANU PF
so that they could resuscitate PF ZAPU.For them their defection was met with
hostility in matebeleland.Many still questioned why they didn’t quit ZANU
earlier, why they neglected their region for so long and never brought meaningful
change to matebeleland during their stay in ZANU.For many years they were in
Mugabe’s government, they never
championed the concerns of Matebeleland through implementation of
policies that would better their
people’s lives
.Even though PF
ZAPU is revived as they say, many in Matabeleland still view them as sell-outs
and heartless. Now another former Zanu PF person, Tracy Mutinhiri has been
fired and maybe as a way of hitting back to her former party, decides to join
their political opponents, MDC-T.While i have respect for Tracy Mutinhiri,i
feel that her deflection to MDC-T leaves a lot to be desired. Is she joining
the "party of excellence" because Zanu PF treated her unfairly or she
has really seen Zanu PF for what it really is?.All these much ado about nothing
questions remain unanswered for now, but if the truth be told what does she
bring to the MDC?If she is to contest in the next election on an MDC ticket as
what is being speculated, what does this mean for the MDC as a party? I
strongly believe that Mutinhiri should take the bench for now while she ponders
on her next political move. If she wants to join other former comrades whom she
has worked with, like Makoni or Dabengwa she is most welcome to do so since
they share the same concerns and identity. At least they would form a
formidable force against ZANU PF which treated them "unfairly”. Why join
people whom you fought against for many years and whose policies you were
against?
Let us not fool
each other; we have seen former ZANU people change form before us. Its just
like saying that John Landa Nkomo has deflected to MDC.Honestly we are not
fooled by such political games meant to confuse and misdirect people when
voting. Maybe the comrades within the MDC-T can be fooled by welcoming Mutinhiri
with open arms, but the people of Zimbabwe cannot. Only the politicians will be
fooled since it’s a recurring game but not me, never! It is either you are with
us, or you are against us! Rawlings Magede is political science student from
Nkayi,Matebeleland North and can be contacted via email rawedge699@gmail.com
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