By Dr Masimba Mavaza | The major political parties in the Zimbabwe are at war with themselves. So how do groups with shared ideology and a long history end up at each other’s throats? MDC in all its forms is throwing away its grip on people and blames ZANU PF for it. What is causing this is it an external hand?
It is very true that Thokozani Khupe is causing an implosion in the Zimbabwean opposition politics. Nelson Chamisa is causing issues for the MDC and seriously contributing to the movement for democratic confusion. All opposition parties have been tearing strips off each other since the Supreme Ruling. Zimbabwe has seen the opposition heading for an all-out civil war.
It’s lucky these people aren’t in charge of anything important, or this would be a deeply worrying situation for Zimbabwe as a Nation.
It seems it’s the season for political parties to turn on themselves, resulting in attacks and accusations that would be considered excessive by all democracy loving Zimbabweans. What’s going on in the MDC Why would professional politicians with long careers in a political establishment with long and proud history suddenly decide to engage in open brutal warfare against their supposed colleagues, especially with so much at stake? There are numerous factors which need to be considered, from an uncertain economy to an ever-changing electorate and media landscape. But, as ever, there are also many political factors to consider.
The parties which are part of the confusion and identify with is a big part of how they define themselves. As a result most people in Zimbabwe had prioritise unity of the opposition and go to alarming lengths to maintain it. This applies to any party it doesn’t have to be about anything objectively “important”, as anyone who’s upset any part of fandom will know. So given all this, and the fact that opposition political parties definitely do have very important functions and responsibilities, it should be most unlikely that members of political parties end up at each other’s throats. But what is happening in the backyard of the MDC is a shame to both MDCs.
This is the time ZANU PF must take full advantage of this confusion. Christmas comes once in a year and this is our year.
There are many factors that influence the implosion in thee MDC. POWER STRUGLLE. MDC is faced with an actual crisis. Everybody in there wants to be a leader. They are jackals gunning for the top. Daggers and swords are drawn and the weapon of deceiving each other has been put on the over drive. The party size is another problem which causes dizziness in the leadership circles of the MDC. If MDC had a purpose to serve Zimbabweans it’s much easier to all agree and achieve a sense of unity, and harder to get away with not contributing Similarity of party members also contributes, because people with similar experiences/backgrounds are, by and large, more likely to agree and empathise. How hard is it to destroy a party and idea you have defended with sweat and blood. you’ve gone through hell and back to be part of something, you’re obviously going to be enthusiastic about keeping supporting it and keeping it intact. But the actions of all MDCs shows that they are not ready to rule.
They can all rather see the destruction of the country than to see themselves go. They are prepared to take democracy down to the grave with them. How selfish?
On the contrary the things ZANU PF went through to gain independence for all is making sure those who get through it are fully committed to their role in the defending of the nation and their values. All of these factors influence how unified a political party is, some more than others, some negatively, some positively. On the positive side, political parties, at least at the very top, are generally (and depressingly) composed of very similar individuals. Who never accept criticism. Claims of expanding diversity and representing communities are all well and good but when all the leaders are posturing for the top post it’s hard to deny that they might have somewhat similar backgrounds and views. Also, given the amount of time, electoral success and progress it requires, it’s also generally very difficult to become a top politician when your heart is away from the people.
The electorate expects top political parties by definition, to be very big organisations, with ample scope for differing views, policies, approaches, views and to be able to sort the differences without splitting and breaking apart. Still, this has not been the case with MDC for many years.
It could be the more “blatant” things that emphasise PARTY unity, namely ideals and vision. The aim of a political party must be for the best interest of the nation not personal interest or interests for the close family members. Cronyism and blatant nepotism regionalism and corruption brings disgruntlement and eventually leads to demise of the party.
A political party must have its manifesto which must spell out its aims and vision. With a spelt out vision mixed in ideology and vision,One can see how any or all of these can help maintain fragile political unity. Its absence can quickly change and tear everything apart.
While the Khupe and Mwonzora have pretty much defined themselves via dismantling Chamisa in the past few months once this Chamisa threat” is removed (via the inevitable end of his presidency of the MDC. It remains to be seen if the underlying chaos of the organisation can be changed removed or be eradicated.
Chamisa’s finger pointing team believe that ZANU PF is influencing the current intra-party political animosity, this is not the whole story. The actions of individuals can also have substantial impact. Can an opposition party that has relied upon, vilifying the nation they want to rule, criminalise the authority even encouraged, sanctions and inviting foreign threats upon the nation for nearly two decades really act shocked when Khupe Mwonzora and Komichi takes the party and runs with it.
The irony of the matter is the MDC blames ZANU PF for the in fights in the MDC camp.
MDC is shooting itself in the foot the current crop of leaders in the MDC are deceitful. The question one must asK if the current crop of politicians are sufficiently capable “leaders”?
Komichi runs away with Mwonzora only to embrace Chamisa and turn guns against Mwonzora. In all attacks done by Chamisa’a troupe you will never hear any of them castgating Komichi. They all target Mwonzora. This means Komichi has been a double agant. The question is how does ZANU PF fit in this puzzle of the opposition.
Yes Chamisa got more votes that ever achieved by many MDC LEADERS. A reliance on presentation and spin may mean MDC has an easier ride from most Urban voters (for better or worse) but these qualities don’t automatically make you a strong leader. In times of uncertainty (which seems to be 24/7 at the moment) a strong leader is very important for party unity. But MDC seems ill-equipped to allow such a thing as unity. They can only blame ZANU PF.
We must all remember that the enemy of your enemy is your friend. And the friend of your enemy is never your friend.
Again pulling out or recalling MPs out of anger Allowing a free reign on voting for important issues in parliament and local government may be the most democratic thing to do, but it doesn’t demonstrate strong leadership, and allows dissenting views from other aspiring figures to gain prominence, which just makes the disharmony worse. Not even a compliant media can be of use here; it’s hard to tow the party line when there are two lines. Or three. Or seven. And they’re constantly intersecting, crossing over, attacking each other or just going backwards.
All of this wouldn’t be a huge problem if the opposition were consistent and clear in their intentions and desires. But they aren’t. So it is, that too much uncertainty at all levels means these issues aren’t going to go away any time soon. The opposition is still experiencing some turbulence.
ZANU PF is not part of the MDC internal problems. It is expected that ZANU PF must stand aside and rub its hands in glee. The wars of your enemies must be lessons to learn. You must always rejoice when your enemies fight among themselves.
Whoever folds first has your celebrations and the one who stands occupies the high office of an enemy.
However in all this ZANU PF does not enjoy this welcome but unhealthy fights in the MDC camp. As a country we need a strong opposition to jerk the ruling party up and do checks and balances. By so doing the nation benefits politics will gain.
It is laughable to accuse ZANU PF of favouring one against the other because we still need to value our work. Success is seen when opposition is strong and yet has nothing to say.
At the moment MDC is a shadow of it self. Now Biti is fighting to be recognised he is gunning for the top post and yet he need Chamisa around. The truth is Chamisa has people while Biti has brains. But Biti is a traitor. He is waiting for the time when. Chamisa is at his weakest point then Biti will pounds.
Job Sikhala is an un guided scud missile. He is a danger to himself and to the party. His love for prison destroys the credibility the party has. Sikhala is only wanted in his constituency but not country wide. So he is not a teal threat to Chamisa. So we have situation of the leader and his vice fighting for the only position on top.
MDC has been put in a self destruction mode and its fast going down. As isual they will blame the ruling party.
In our situation as a nation recalling MPS and councillors is an immature unwise action. Khupe and Mwonzora are behaving like kids throwing tantrums. They will wake up to find laws lawfully changed to benefit whoever is wiser.
Blaming ZANU PF for the infighting in the MDC is childish. Very soon MDC will be blaming ZANU PF for the rains. The blame game without sorting out the mess in their backyard MDC is doing the whole nation a disfavour and it is discrediting democracy.