Get ready for a Zanu-PF meltdown

The People's Congress gave us a wobbly vision of unity in government - but already the cracks are widening again

I make no apologies for returning once more to the internicine struggle within Zanu-PF, because the persistent split within the governing party grows ever more bitter, and the tipping point, when the differences spill out into open warfare, could come at any time. At this moment of renewal, let us hope it comes soon.

Latest top party man to step out of line with President Mugabe is ageing vice-president Joseph Msika, who last weekend addressed a rally at Stanely Square in Makokoba, Bulawayo. The occasion was part of the nationwide Unity Day celebrations - an ironic title considering what Msika had to say.

Perhaps as a top man in the government that has led our country to squalid chaos and poverty, Msika's conscience is bothering him. Perhaps, with his retirement promised for next year, he doesn't care what he says any more. But a close examination of his comments only emphasises how much some of our senior leaders resent the twisted and devious rule of the President.

Msika chose to begin his attack on Mugabe by referring to events at the Congress when, as reported in these columns, the President appeared angrily to turn his back on his previous ally, the maverick war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda.

Mugabe had been using Sibanda as a front man and organiser in the campaign for his re-adoption as President, but when Sibanda attempted to speak at the Congress Mugabe was one of the first to prevent him from taking the microphone, to the Vet leader's considerable embarrassment.

But Msika now said that this was another example of Mugabe's double standards. "I know very well that Mugtabe always holds meetings with Jabulani at night," he told the crowds on Saturday. "We have told him that this boy is not disciplined, but he doesn't want to listen. Instead he squanders party funds buying him new cars and accommodating him in hotels, all at your expense."

Then Msika widened his attack, claiming that he and others in the top Zanu-PF ranks had attemped to reign Mugabe in, and stop him destroying the country. "Most of the things we agreed upon in 1987 have been violated. The essence of unity has been sadly ignored."

Msika's speech then sadly meandered off into a discussion of exactly which tribe he is, and why, and frankly I stopped listening. Our country will never step forward into the broad sunlit uplands of democracy while old men like Msika worry about whether they are Shangani, Shona, Ndebele, Nguni, or indeed "Swina".

As the old year dies, let us remember instead that we are all Zimbabweans. We're in this together. A happy and a liberated new year to you all.

Comments

[Hazvie]

Can you find out why the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation did not carry the story on the rally when they had two cameras at stanley square

[Mabhunumuchapera Karikoga Chinembiri]

V.P.Msika was installed as a shield but is not allowed to express his personal feelings. Yes that was a slip of tongue to divide Zimbabweans at this day and age.We fought the war side by side to have a free Zimbabwe which he is frustrated because he also had leadership ambitions but had no chance under Mugabe let alone ageism(Bhuma).Its not only businesses that have been affected by the economy, political parties have also been victims.What Mugabe did at the Congress was to prove J.B.Sibanda that he is still in charge and will not tolerate kids fighting for toys while he watches so he had to intervene and embarass Border Gezi Jr I will put it that way.Msika needs to know that time to divide people is long gone and this will not solve the crisis we face right now.Look at Pakistan and Kenya do we really want that, Msika should think again and apologise to other tribes of the Nation.I think ZBC had the instruction not cover since he doesn`t talk sense as he is partially senile.The essence of 1987 remains as long as you are a Zanu PF/Zimbabwean Msika.

[Jeremy]

I get the feeling that Zimbabweans have become so used to passively accepting deteriorating living standards that it's a national fault. I remember the Whites complaining about this in the 1980s. Now it's the Blacks & both have the same reaction when it all gets too much - emigrate.

[Chimbwido]

To All ZimbaBweans

It is such a shame that there are Zimbabweans who are being bribed for money and goodioes to sell out their country, and go ahead to say all the bad things about this Nation. Let me take this opportinity to inform you all that there is no such a peacful and beautiful country such as Zimbabwe.THere is No War that is ever to take place here in Zimbabwe it is only the Economy that is bad. and For your own information the Zimbabwe you are black Labling now has the highest number of tourists to come and enjoy peaciful hOlidays in Zim. Learn to love yoour own country no one will ever love it for you.