By Benjamin Semwayo
After being touted as one of the politicians who would throw caution to the wind and join the rank and file Zimbabweans in demanding answers on the abducted journalist-cum-political activist Itai Dzamara, Joice Mujuru, the Zanu PF former Vice President of Zimbabwe was conspicuous by her absence.
Since being humiliated and unceremoniously booted out of Zanu PF Mujuru has kept the nation guessing as to what her true intentions are, with people associated with her constantly issuing statements on her behalf to the effect that she is setting up a political outfit that will obliterate Zanu PF.
Everyone has been waiting for the prayer meeting in anticipation to once and for all put an end to their rather protracted quandary, only for Mujuru to be evasive yet again, and for Rugare Gumbo to issue a statement to the effect that she could not attend because she was tied up with other business, which business remained an undisclosed mystery.
Mujuru’s striking absence raised more questions, coming as it did at a time when it was disclosed that she was busy grovelling before Mugabe to have her former fortunes restored.
Speculation and rumour-mongering thrive in situations where people are starved of information, which is why the rumour-mill goes into overdrive with people coming up with all sorts of theories, suppositions and deductions, which they do not present as such, but as proven facts.
Mujuru should not allow this to continue as it is damaging to her reputation in the eyes of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
If she intends to form an opposition party the sooner Mujuru makes her position clear the better. Not only will this give the impression of a well-organised party that raises morale and persuades fence-sitters to decide in favour of it, but it will also present Mujuru as the brave, no-nonsense cadre that she is said to be.
As it is she is portraying herself as a timid leader burying her head in the sand, waiting for the public to do all the dirty work for her and then present the presidency to her on a glittering gold platter.
When the idea of her challenging Mugabe was first mooted her rating was very high, with some people even suggesting that Tsvangirai should play second fiddle to her, but with her continued equivocal action her approval ratings have visibly evaporated, and it has become increasingly clear that there is no way Tsvangirai, who has won all the elections against Mugabe, can give way to her.
Even Temba Mliswa, her erstwhile right hand man, recently made disparaging remarks about her.
The prayer meeting for Itai Dzamara was crucial in that it was meant to draw participants from across political divides. It was meant to lay the foundation for the much-needed grand coalition and be the ground-breaking event where all opposition parties learn that an act of evil perpetrated against one has been perpetrated against all.
If a Zapu cadre is victimised for protesting against Mugabe’s evil rule then all opposition cadres have been victimised, and should all react in the same way in defence of one of their number. It is that same if an MDC-N, MDC-T or Zanu (Ndonga) member is victimised.
Such a unity among opposition forces is what forms a formidable coalition against Zanu PF that will bring results, and it is such a coalition that drives fear into Mugabe’s heart.
