In order for free and fair elections to be achieved in Zimbabwe there is need for ground work to be laid first. Whether we agree or not that the majority have ruled Zimbabwe since 1980, we must agree that elections have taken place every five years. There are a lot of things that needs fixed in Zimbabwe if the dream of fair and free elections is to be realised. Zimbabwe's ruling party has abused the democratic system to its advantage. In every election there should be losers and winners and that is a fact. The point here is that in a true democratic society the losers are respected regardless. Since Independence in 1980 the rulers have sought to eliminate the opposition so that they can rule forever.
This is a country that have seen people beaten to death for their political choices. The political playing field is not level. The state media is used for the benefit of the ruling party. The ordinary people do not have a voice. People are victimised in many ways for expressing their opinions. There is freedom of speech but no freedom after speech. Independent newspapers had their licences revoked. The government watch dogs like the C.I.O are all over, sniffing anybody who is not a member of the party. Promotions in public service and other institutions are given to the ruling party 's faithfuls. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army are openly patriotic to the ruling party. Without connections to anybody in the ruling party one cannot survive in any business they do.
The late Vice President of Zimbabwe C.D.E Simon Muzenda used to say Z.A.N.U PF will rule until donkeys have horns. In those days there was no meaningful challenge other that PF Z.A.P.U which off course they tried by all means to crush. The rulers divided the country and the people they ruled for the above mentioned reason. They did this using the privileges of democracy yet they destroyed that same democracy. They put measures in place to make sure their purpose is fulfilled by all means. In other words the Robert Mugabe democratically elected regime does not care if there is democracy or not. Zimbabwe has had the same person as the Registrar General for as long as the country has had the name. The party is stronger than the whole nation put together. The people report to the party and not vice verse.
The new opposition groups must be informed that its not democracy as usual in Zimbabwe. Most MDC people are former Z.A.N.U PF sons and daughters who have not experienced serious persecution before. They are former beneficiaries of that system so much that for them it will be like testing their own medicine. They have to undo the evil they help perpetrate on the people of Matabeleland and Midlands in the mid 80s. Most were in the classrooms in different colleges and universities advancing their academic lives when some people were butchered for that democracy. Some were the militias thereof. The man Robert Mugabe himself prides himself for I quote, "a track record in pondering our enemies." When it comes to power the man will do anything to consolidate it. When he was killing and persecuting the people of Matabeleland and Midlands he thought he was doing it for his people in Mashonaland. He thought that was heroism. Nobody told him any better.
He made sure that his own people benefited for supporting him in crushing rebellion in the South. He would never had expected opposition from his own. He never dreamt of a day when his own people who sang loud praises of him would betray him. He was the father and they were the children. Even though they knew the truth they could not afford to speak it because their mouths were full. In Africa it is a taboo to speak when your mouth is full. He gave them the best he could. For them to start pointing at his faults is not only forgetting where they come from but also an unforgivable sin." Betrayal" The opposition factions within and outside ZANU PF must remember where they came from. They must count their blessings. If for sure they are repented they must denounce their boss past heroic deeds. They must be reminded that it is they and their fathers who helped bury any hopes of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
When Morgan Tsangirayi was asked the question, When did you realise that Mugabe was heading the wrong way? The former Trade unionist leader replied, "In 1998". All along he was loyal to party and the Boss. Its not just him but many people are on the same boat. However I respect the man Morgan because he has stood for something bigger that himself unlike most Zimbabweans. He has risked his life several times for his beliefs. He is better than The Simba Makonis of this world because they are cowards and have never stood for anything. There is no easier way to free and fair elections. The opposition must clearly denounce violence and not only that but also press that the government open an inquiry into the Gukurahundi sixth brigade atrocities of the eighties. The only way forward is the way backwards. If one is not free all are not free. We have avoided the Kenya experience but we are worse than the Kenyans. The Kenyans would rather be dead that live like Zimbabweans.
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