By Lindsey Machona Maenzanise

 
Zimbabwe has once again entered uncharted waters. With an ailing economy and a citizenry that is growing restless by the day, the stakes are higher for the ruling party Zanu PF to deliver on its election promises. 
 
In response to the dire economic situation that the country is facing, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has called for mass protests against the government in various cities across the country, starting on Friday, August 16 in Harare.  
 
As is characteristic of the ruling party when it is cornered, it has resorted to violence as a form of oppression and repression to dissent. As we head towards the August mass protests, there will be a marked increase in state sponsored violence by Zanu PF to cower opposition party leaders, members and supporters into submission.
 
Therefore, it is, necessary to unpack the effects of political violence on the social well-being of the Zimbabwean masses and to stress that no Zimbabwean life or property is worth losing over political expediency. It is also imperative to challenge those who have the political voice to denounce violence to do so, as well as appeal to those who carry out these acts of violence to reform and repent.
 
In recent days, there have been several reports surfacing pointing to increased threats of violence against opposition party leaders and supporters, an indication that the ruling party has already gone into violence mode. Chances are high and reports indicate that state sponsored militia will be unleashed on poor Zimbabweans in the days leading up to, during, and after the demonstrations. The objective is to punish citizens for exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest.
 
On August 11, 2019, the Deputy Minister of Defense, Victor Matemadanda, was quoted having said that the protests would not happen. This is despite that these protests have been sanctioned by the authorities. Up to this day there has not been condemnation of his utterances by anyone in Zanu PF. This shows that they support what Matemadanda said and proves that Zanu PF leaders can get away with murder and will never be asked to clarify their statements. The way the state handles cases like these leaves a bitter state in my mouth and is testament to the impunity that has characterized Zanu PF’s leadership since 1980.
 
It is regrettable that the ruling party has also groomed ‘youngsters’ who are equally blind and have been indoctrinated by the gospel of hate that has left our country more divided than united. In a press conference held on August 14, 2019,  Zanu PF youth, through their leader, Pupurai Togarepi, declared war against the protesters, urging ‘all Zanu PF youth to ‘defend our election victory and peace’ and that, ‘the protest will not be a walk in the park for them, because Zanu PF youths ‘will be there to defend democracy’.
 
This promotion and condoning of violence by the ruling party creates a state of lawlessness and gives license to unruly elements who take advantage of the breakdown in law and order under the protection of Zanu PF to vent their anger and settle personal scores.
 
On August 14, 2019, Zimbabweans woke up to photos of Tatenda Mombeyarara, a member of the Citizen’s Manifesto, and Blessing Kanotunga, MDC Youth Chairperson for Mufakose District, who were abducted from their homes in the dead of the night and tortured in connection with planning the protests.
 
The abominable irony is that Zanu PF uses the same tactics as the colonial Ian Smith regime which was brutal and repressive to black Africans who were calling for the end to white minority rule.

State machinery, including the army, police and intelligence were used to quell demonstrations which were led by black nationalists fighting for racial freedom. In similar fashion, 39 years after independence, the Zanu PF-led government continues to use the same tactics of fear and intimidation to maintain its grip on power. This gives merit to the argument that Zimbabwe has never tasted freedom. We only changed oppressors.
 
The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in our constitution. Therefore, it is distressing that Matemadanda and Togarepi, both representing Zanu PF would respond in the way they have. Their reactions are characteristic of a regime that is at war against its own citizens. It is both deplorable and sad that the Zanu PF youth feel the need to defend a revolution, in the words of Dr. Noah Manyika, ‘…that has already been won’.
 
Zanu PF must admit who they are, and reform. They are a vengeful lot with misdirected anger who label anybody who demands accountability from them sell-outs who deserve to die. No Zimbabwean, and certainly not Zanu PF has higher claim to Zimbabwe than the other. I find Zanu PF’s arrogance, sense of entitlement, impunity and superiority complex nauseating. Zimbabweans are not their enemies. Their enemies are their corruption and ineptitude!
 
In the words of Isaac Asimov, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
 
The violence sponsored by Zanu-PF and the state is evidence of their incompetence and dismal failure at reviving our once prosperous economy. Our government is clueless at finding solutions to the crisis that is facing our nation, hence they default to violence to assert their power.
 
As a result, our values and respect for human life have been eroded and replaced with selfishness and greed which are characteristic of our kleptocratic government. A sad reality is that Zimbabweans have come to expect violence and intimidation from Zanu PF whenever they want to register their displeasure against the government. This muddle breeds fear in the hearts of citizens and creates a tense and melancholic atmosphere for opposition political party members and supporters.
 
This whole gamut of experiences points to the overall breakdown in the moral and social fabric of our nation, and it is time that citizens realize our power and bring our nation back to sanity.
 
I would like to challenge all politicians to respect our national constitution and allow peaceful protests rather than mobilize political sentiments to justify brutality like Matemadanda and Togarepi did.

Justice must rule and prevail. Political leaders should appeal to the senses of Zimbabweans to shun violence by speaking the language of inclusion and desist from labeling opposition supporters as pro-West and counter-revolutionaries who must be exterminated.
 
In the same vein, Zimbabweans must refuse and stop accepting falsehoods and indoctrination by political leaders who label Zimbabweans with different political inclinations to Zanu PF as enemies. All leaders, especially Zanu PF leaders, must preach and practice the message of tolerance and co-existence which will eventually filter down to the citizens.
 
As citizens we must also question our loyalties and allegiances. We need to be pragmatic about addressing political violence as a nation and allow the voice of reason to speak. It is important to stress here that the biggest losers in this matrix are the people of Zimbabwe, as the politicians behind these acts of violence do not themselves have to deal with the consequences.
 
Zanu PF must understand that every citizen has the right to political participation without fear. Politics is not the preserve of a few but is for all Zimbabweans. Zanu PF knows that in a free environment it will never persevere against the will of the people, so they make sure that citizens do not fully participate in political processes. Without the participation of the majority of the citizens, Zanu PF will remain in power and Zimbabwe will continue the downward trajectory that it is currently on.
 
During civilian action, our professional forces must not side with the ruling party in a deliberate effort to avoid prosecuting those who are responsible for violence but must be seen to be impartial. No-one is and should be above the law!
 
Institutions such as the church and the media should create programs that unite the people and encourage the creation of shared identities, promote dialogue, encourage conflict resolution, and foster a sense of patriotism. Our identity as a nation should be built on inclusion by understanding and articulating our common needs as a people. The economic meltdown has not spared anyone regardless of political affiliation. It is Zimbabweans who are suffering, not just Zanu PF or MDC members, or those who are apolitical. 
 
The church and its leaders have a huge part to play in Zimbabwean politics and they should not absolve themselves of the responsibility to address socio-political issues. Churches must stop telling their members to stay away from politics as this is tantamount to siding with the oppressor and promoting apathy. It is the role of the church to establish programs that promote forgiveness and tolerance over anger and revenge.
 
There is always common ground and we need to bring into the limelight what unites us rather than what divides us.  As citizens, we must develop the courage to face this aggression and filter out the negative sentiments from our political leaders and challenge them to promote unity. This demands that we speak truth to power and call out our leaders when they err.
 
I implore all the citizens who want to protest to exercise their right to protest peacefully, and to the ruling party to exercise restraint, stop fanning violence and allow for freedom of expression.

Lindsey Machona Maenzanise is a Zimbabwean Writer, Blogger, and Personal and Community Development Strategist based in Canada.