1] Fellow members of humanity....I've been cracking my head over something which seems to be a feature of Zimbabwean politics.
What exactly is the end game for Opposition politics?
Can an Opposition party exist and be useful, whilst accepting that it cannot win State power?
2] I say so, because I've become absolutely convinced that @DMwonzora is comfortable with just existing as an Opposition Leader.
The core Leadership of @OurMDCT is populated by fatigued yesteryear activists who for all intent and purpose, just want to co-exist with ZanuPF.
3] Rational disputational is for me, the intellectualization of a defeatist attitude which has engulfed MDC-T.
Baba Bertha is simply saying to Baba Collins, "you can go ahead & (rig)win all elections, but just allow us to exist".
They are clearly comfortable that way.
4] The PDF platform being "demanded" by the unelected lot in MDC-T & the POLAD of the defeated lot from 2018, seem to be new homes for fringe parties that can't win elections.
Prof Madhuku even publicly stated that the "POLAD should exist even after 2023 elections".
5] @mdczimbabwe on the other hand, is licking its proverbial lips, towards another electoral battle with ZanuPF.
This means they fancy their chances of winning & actually believe they exist to win State power and govern differently.
The distinction (based on action) is clear.
6] In the greater scheme of things, what makes sense for Zimbabweans?
Can those in the Opposition meaningfully contribute to democracy & development outside state power?
Should opposition parties without the electoral ability to defeat ZanuPF be entertained?
Are they useful?
7] Those questions are useful in understanding both previous & current political developments.
Has politics for some Opp players become an occupation?
What's the role of those who have succumbed to ZanuPF's "invincibility"?
And what should us who want ZanuPF gone do?
enkosi!!
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My biggest problem with the politics of "rational disputation" is that it equalizes the behaviour of the perpetrators of electoral violence & its victims.
You cant say to both, "asifuni iviolence".
Had Zimbos been violent, we would have had civil wars.
You equally can't sweep down the proverbial carpet, the experiences of Zimbabweans at the hands of the State, by hiring merchants in the Opposition, to front a pseudo reconciliation & national healing drive.
You equally don't attempt to be seen as desperately "siding" with the citizens, by driving a half-baked, revisiont anti-ED agenda that separates him, from Mugabe, yet he was his Chief Elections Agent in 2008.
1] I guess when you are fortunate enough to own and drive private vehicles, and only know about the existence of Zupco from news reports on the purchasing/donation of new busses, then the whole monopolization has worked.
If you commute daily, this claim by SK is an insult.
1] Some time in 2017, the ever excitable Baba Bertha, then MDC-T SG, issued a statement stating that MDC-T would field candidates in "alliance partners allocated seats"
MDC-T Leader then, Pres MRT quickly issued a statement rubbishing both his SG & the unsanctioned statement
2] In 2021, Baba Collins pushes for unpopular & illegal constitutional amendments
He is successful challenged in court and his government legal adviser & Minister of Justice issues a strong worded statement attacking the courts, MDC-A, lawyers & pretty much everything that moves
3] Feeling embarrassed, Baba Collins sends the Justice Ministry Perm Sec to cryptically rubbish her Boss' press statement and effectively attempts to distance the government from it.
Unconvinced by the shallow climp-down, Baba Collins' twitter account sends the tweet above
When some of us tweeted against Mwonzora from 2018/19, (before it became fashionable), the accusation was that "we had picked Chamisa's faction"
It was particularly strange because "we" had no known political footprints then, in the MDC affairs.
2] It was thus strange, to be treated as supporters of one faction against the other.
Some preferred characterising the Khupe/Mwonzora-Chamisa battles as mere Tsvangirai succession, even when signs became evident, that ZanuPF had developed an interest and indeed taken over.
3] The tragedy in Zimbabwe, is that the constitution is treated as merely a political document.
It's owned & handed over to the winner of the next election, after every 5 years.
If the constitution was a baby, then in 2008 & 2013, ZanuPF had the discomfort of co-parenting.
1] Sadly you were right Sekuru @Wamagaisa,not that it was too difficult to call, truth be told.
@OurMDCT has voted WITH ZanuPF even after that fake PR speech in Senate by VaMwonzora & the subsequent claim by @witness_dube that they wouldn't allow CAB2 to pass without amendments.