Sikhala on Zanu PF’s “Operation One Party State by 2018”

By Job Sikhala

Like any other Zimbabwean l am astonished with the way how our politics is panning. Only those with the heart of steel will remain resolute because ZANU PF in its “Operation One Party State by 2018” is in an aggressive recruitment drive of any prominent name from the opposition.

The recruitment drive, authored by its intelligence operated Commissariat Department is targeting youthful politicians between the age of 25 to 50 who will be thrown into urban constituencies come 2018.

Initial I wasn’t aware about this operation until l heard that one of the former MDC-T councillors for Ward 4, in St. Mary’s, Boniface Manyonganise has defected to ZANU PF.

On my further inquiry l gathered that ZANU PF is targeting the young energetic generation to take over the leadership of the party in its structures. They approach their victims with a gloss of promises and offers.

The main reason why they want them is so they can be their urban candidates in 2018, so as to have the young who appeal to the urban electorate.

Though l was surprised with news making the rounds that Eric Knight, Tinomudaishe Chinyoka, Qhubani Moyo, Mduduzi Mathuthu, Joram Nyathi represents the seriousness of their recruitment drive, it is said more astonishing figures in opposition politics have already surrendered their souls to the former revolutionary party.

With pomp and fanfare on how the likes of Eric Knight were brought into our politics, it underlines the seriousness of the operation when he quits his party in such a short space of time because 31 July is not very far.

Some sitting MPs are said to be waiting for the period towards 2018, to announce their new found love. Though it is their democratic right to make their own decisions as adults, this is the most dangerous development posed in our country since time immemorial.

The period of one party states is as outdated as democracy started to take its roots in Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. A one party state brought behind the backdoor of the so called democratic elections is a recipe for disaster for our beautiful country Zimbabwe.

It is ironic that the generation that must be on the leading front fighting and resisting such developments will be now on the forefront to perpetuate it. A one party state disguised as a democracy will cause a lot of indignation to many Zimbabweans.

So the warning is out there to trade with care because the approach is not selecting anyone. Everyone is a target and those whose love for our country is unquestionable must reject to be recruited into the project that will sink our country to the Stone Age.

Job Sikhala is a former student leader and president of the breakaway MDC-99 faction