By Moses Chamboko
Fears of retribution coupled with land dispossession should MDC emerge as the sole governing party after the next elections are a desperate attempt at scaremongering by merchants of change resistance.
Having spent the last three weeks engaging ordinary citizens and leaders from across the political divide in Zimbabwe, I have no doubt in my mind that MDC is a non-retributive but peace-loving party which will not dwell on the past should it win the next election. The focus is primarily on building the future.
This writer met a number of land redistribution beneficiaries in Masvingo, notably in the Eastern Lowveld. Most of them voiced concern at the possible loss of their land should MDC come into power, evidence that ZANU PF’s propaganda has had an impact.
Many, including war veterans, strongly believe that they will be thrown into prison as soon as an MDC government is sworn in.
In trying to establish the truth around this matter, I consulted a good number of senior MDC officials. The reality is that these perceptions are clearly designed by ZANU PF to cause despondency and intensify resistance knowing that change is imminent.
Even some in ZANU PF, of course in private, would admit that time for the liberation party as a dominant political player is nearly over. It is only in public when the same people put on cunningly brave faces.
Law-abiding citizens including farmers who are fully utilising their land, whether they are black, white or pink, have nothing to fear should MDC form the next government. Of course, the unrepentant who thrive on violence, corruption, murder and other forms of criminality might find life tough in the new dispensation.
This is not to say MDC has a retributive agenda. Rather, the party has a genuine intention, desire and strategy to re-establish and uphold the rule of law as is normal in any functional democracy. This writer was both excited and depressed by what he saw and experienced in Zimbabwe on his second trip since the GNU was formed.
Most exciting and encouraging was the prevailing peace though there are still pockets of targeted violence and harassment. However, the ordinary Zimbabwean on the street is more concerned about the next meal and where to get school fees for their children than day-today politics.
Independence Day was just like another day in most places, evidence that people have had enough of the rhetoric of the past three decades. Informal traders went about their business without hindrance as they continued to chase the scarce dollar.
Road transport and retail are two sectors that are buzzing with activity. For this, the GNU, particularly MDC, must be commented. From Beitbridge to Harare, Mutare to Plumtree, people indicated that they were ready for elections any day for as long as there was not going to be violence or intimidation.
They are keen to put finality to the political circus that has dogged the nation for more than a decade. In the comfort of privacy, they all say “Takavamirira” meaning “We are waiting for them” One wonders if those that are itching for early elections are aware of this national sentiment.
The hype of activity on major highways is quite noticeable, something similar to what we used to see in the 80s.
Though our roads are still a far cry from yesteryear, the truth is that there is a remarkable effort to repair them but it will take years to sanitise streets and avenues which are now known more for “bore holes” than pot holes. Unki, Zimplats, Mimosa and Econet are the major economic players while retail and transport have certainly awakened from the deep slumber of the past decade.
Police presence on both streets and highways has reached alarming levels. Between Birchenough Bridge and Mutare, I literally lost count of the number of roadblocks. This prompted me to ask one of the officers what these roadblocks were meant to achieve.
“Tine nduruwani dzedu dzatiri kutsvaga” was the reply. Meaning “we have known culprits that we are after” I wondered if this was not a political statement. Notably, most officers are youngsters in their late teens and early twenties who probably recently graduated from Border Gezi institutions.
One hopes this heavy police deployment is not a disguised strategy in preparation for the next election. Most depressing was the state of cities and towns exacerbated by load shedding, water cuts and unemployment.
Harare in particular, is now a replica of the most ordinary Asian city. The stench and heavy smoke that greets you when you enter the city from the south would make you think you were driving into India’s Mumbai. Overcrowdedness on the streets resembles what you would see in New Delhi or Bangkok.
People are aimlessly roaming the streets while informal traders are now in every corner. The major activity in industrial areas seems to be peeling off of roofs and walls in what used to be Zimbabwe’s major industrial base. This gives a clear picture of the rot of the past decade.
A lot of effort is required to bring these to their former glory. However, the countryside is as beautiful as ever. This is where one can get a breath of fresh and clean air while enjoying scenic views of mountains and valleys.
Around the country, in particular Zvishavane and Mberengwa, small-scale gold mining is the major activity as mining licences have been dished out like confetti. Nevertheless, diamonds remain a preserve for the political elite.
While gold mining has become a decent source of income for most ordinary families, the downside is land degradation. The subsistence miner does not have the capacity or expertise to rehabilitate land after exploitation. This is a major disaster in the making.
The Chinese might be right when they say “It is better to see once than hear a thousand times” When you find time, please make an effort to go and see for yourself. Also, try and speak to some of the people that influence our political dynamics. You will certainly realise that retribution is never on the MDC agenda.
The author Moses Chamboko can be reached on [email protected]
