ZINASU position on infighting in civic society

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) condemns the ongoing bickering, backbiting; smear campaigns and infighting in Civic society mainly at Crisis Coalition and Student Solidarity Trust, which if allowed to go on unchallenged can weaken the capacity of our pro democracy movement to deliver a democratic Zimbabwe.

The inception of the inclusive government divided and demobilized forces in the pro-democratic movement. There is a group that was more inclined to the notion of a transition through inclusive government and a more radical grouping which remained adamant that there was no transition that could be achieved through the inclusive government.

The infighting that ensued demobilized our forces and allowed the inclusive government to implement anti-poor policies unchallenged by civic society which was embroiled in internal fights. The Constitution making is another process that deepened the existing battles with organizations positioning themselves under the banner of either Take-Charge or Take-Part further compromising the capacity of the pro democracy movement to effectively influence the process.

The domination of ZANU- PF in the process is a clear testimony that the voice of civic society was missing. The ongoing fights at Crisis Coalition and Students Solidarity Trust are definitely going to further weaken the pro democracy movement. ZINASU demands an immediate halt of machinations of evil that are being perpetrated by self seeking individuals and groupings who rejoice in the demise of organizations and individuals who have contributed immensely to the struggle for a democratic Zimbabwe.

ZINASU urges organizations and pundits to take leaf from the unification of the student movement which came into being against the whims and caprices of proponents of factionalism, the enemies of unity are still working tirelessly to revive factionalism. There is an urgent need for us to unite ahead of the referendum and the rumored elections which is our last chance to dismantle the dictatorship of ZANU PF. Our struggle is not about how we can share the existing cake but how we can take over the bakery and come up with our own recipe.

Let’s unite to complete the democratization process of our great nation, Zimbabwe.

ZINASU INFORMATION DEPARTMENT