Itai Dzamara: Co-operation of all progressive opposition forces imperative

By Benjamin Semwayo

In the wake of the Itai Dzamara saga, Zimbabwe has been rocked by anti-government demonstrations, joined in by Zimbabweans of all political persuasions in the Diaspora, notably South Africa and the U.K.

In Zimbabwe the MDC-T party has registered strident opposition to the brutal and heavy-handed manner in which Zanu PF has attempted to stifle dissent.

Itai Dzamara, the leader of Occupy Africa Unity Square (OAUS), vanished when he was set upon and abducted by men matching the description of the notorious CIO, Mugabe’s henchmen whom he uses to perpetuate his illegitimate rule.

Dzamara was brave enough to lead peaceful demonstrations that called on the senile leader to step down as he had atrociously failed the country by dragging it into the abyss of retrogression through his outrageous misrule.

In doing so, Itai did not break the law as he was only exercising his legitimate constitutional right and seeking to improve life for everyone. The brutalisation of political opponents by Mugabe is not a new phenomenon.

Ever since he became the first post-colonial ruler of Zimbabwe he has been a serial offender in using brute force to silence voices of reason. He will stop at nothing to extend his malevolent rule. At a time he once referred to as his ‘moment of madness’, he unleashed his infamous North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade on the people of Matabeleland, whose only crime was refusing to vote for him in a general election.

The punishment meted out to the Ndebeles was reminiscent of the Holocaust, and made Ian Smith’s atrocities dim in comparison. It was and still is difficult to comprehend how people could suffer such persecution at the hands of one of their own.

One thing that has become abundantly clear is that as long as the people of Zimbabwe remain docile nothing will change their fortunes. Mugabe’s regime thrives on the complacency of his subjects and as long as they show that they can still tolerate his bullying tactics nothing will change their fortunes.

Of late there has been growing resistance to Mugabe’s brutality, but it has been far from adequate. Individual and fragmented voices, conspicuously from the MDC-T, have demanded respect for people’s constitutional rights, but many people have shunned participation on the grounds that it is an MDC-T thing and any successes emanating from it will give the party political mileage.

Unfortunately that kind of thinking will only entrench Mugabe’s misrule further. What most people do not seem to realise is that while Itai is the victim today, tomorrow it may be their turn. The only way to ensure that their turn never comes is to fight from Itai’s corner today, even if it means partnering with rival opposition political parties.

Opposition parties in Zimbabwe need to learn to collaborate with one another. The fight against Zanu PF is neither a ZAPU nor an MDC war, but it is the masses’ war against an oppressive regime. Now is the time for all progressive forces to come together to dislodge an oppressive regime that perpetuates its rule by rigging elections, murdering innocent people and stealing natural resources.

Zimbabweans need to step up demands for the immediate release of Itai and respect for the rule of law. Those in the Diaspora should unite and relentlessly demonstrate at the country’s embassies, while those in the country should add their voices to calls for the respect of the national constitution.

Multitudes should pile pressure on the government anonymously via online social sites. Protests must now become the new way of life until victory is won. Everything seems to be pointing to the fact that they have already murdered him.

If that turns out to be true, then the nation must erupt in unprecedented protest and somebody must be made to regret their actions.