It can not, nonetheless, be denied that in global geo-politics, nations with interests in other nations, will tend to interfere in order to ‘protect’ such interests.
Similarly, foreign powers may interfere in the politics of another country in order to expand their hegemonic influence.
Zimbabwe is no exception in this regard.
However, if any entity is to be accused of being the masters of ‘serving foreign interests’, then ZANU PF takes the crown.
ZANU PF’s love affair with foreign entities started way back during the country’s liberation struggle, when they courted such countries as China and North Korea.
These countries not only provided training and weapons to ZANU’s military wing – ZANLA – but also educated the politicians on facets of Chinese-style communism that they demanded be implemented in the country, once independence was attained.
This was at the height of the Cold War and Sino-Russian tensions, and as such, the Chinese and North Koreans assisted ZANU on the condition that once independence was gained, they would ensure that only their interests were served.
In fact, during this time, China had less tensions with Western countries than it did with Russia – who were supporting ZAPU and ZIPRA.
Such serving of foreign interests by ZANU is why there were so many problems during the liberation struggle, as the party never wanted to fight as a united force with ZAPU.
However, the height of this ‘serving of foreign interests’ came after independence.
Besides personal power greed, the main reason for the Gukurahundi massacres between 1983 and 1987 – in which more than 20,000 people, mainly from the Matabeleland and Midlands regions were killed by the North Korean-trained 5th Brigade – was that the ZANU PF government was still serving Chinese interests.
China was not going to allow for ZAPU to exist, as it was perceived to be a Russian threat.
Therefore, I strongly believe that, although Gukurahundi served ZANU PF’s power-hunger and atrocious interests very well, it was mainly a Chinese project.
As such, it can be seen that ZANU PF was willing to massacre more than 20,000 people in order to serve foreign interests – who in Zimbabwe can beat that record?
It is always ridiculous, therefore, when ZANU PF makes all this noise accusing anyone who criticises them of being ‘puppet of the West’.
Who are the biggest ‘puppets’?
The manner in which ZANU PF is so obsessed with this notion of its critics serving foreign interests betrays its own guilty conscience – as it knows that it is the main culprit, and fears that the same can happen to it.
It is similar to a man who takes someone else’s wife, and becomes so paranoic and possessive as he adopts a psychotic fear that the same might also happen to him.
The ZANU PF government must own up to its failures and stop seeing foreign ghosts all over the place.
This regime should understand that not everyone is a ‘puppet’ as it is.
Zimbabweans are generally a principled people who would never pounder to foreign interests, but are genuinely fed up with ZANU PF misrule and repression.
These is no foreign power that is needed to tell me that I have suffered enough and can not take it anymore.
It is a pity that, either the ZANU PF government is completely divorced from the miserable realities on the ground, or they are merely being disingenuous.
All that is needed is for these ZANU PF leaders to attend one of their relative’s funerals or weddings – or better still, do a walkabout incognito – and attentively listen to the conversions of the ordinary suffering people.
They will hear the full scale of their grumbling, and anger.
They will also realise that the people have reached boiling point, such that, they do not need any ‘foreign embassy’ to pay them, or influence them in any way, to go out into the streets and peacefully protest.
In fact, the ZANU PF government should be very thankful to those who are taking leadership of these protests and shutdowns, as they always urge people to be peaceful – otherwise, with the way people are so angry, without any form of leadership, there would be civil unrest of unimaginable proportions in this country.
Who would not be angry if they were to go for days without having any decent meal?
A visit to one of those food selling spots will tell a very grim picture.
One would find children as young as 9 waiting around for a customer to finish eating, then they will rush for the leftovers.
It is so sad!
Parents are so depressed as they can not even provide the very basics for their families.
If ZANU PF is so arrogant and obstinate to even acknowledge that fact, and show some empathy for the people’s suffering, then they should step down immediately.
Instead of pointing the accusing figure at everyone else – except themselves -Â and being defensive, the ZANU PF regime should be trying by all means to engage the masses in coming up with a solution to their suffering.
Instead of using brute force to stifle peaceful protests, the government should be busy putting in place measures to alleviate the nation’s suffering, and taking every occasion to respectfully explain to the people what they are doing – not using such opportunities to deliver threats of further brutality.
The people have reached a point of suffering that they do not care for threats anymore – they just say, ‘kusi kufa ndekupi’, ‘we are dead already’.
Even that ‘prison food’ that the disgruntled poor people are being threatened with, will seem like a feast to someone who has not had a square meal in days, if not weeks.
Their anger is such that they are now prepared to stand in front of the nozzle of a gun and say, ‘shoot if you want to, but I’m fed up, and things have to change’.
The ZANU PF government should stop focussing on foreign ghosts, and start focussing on the genuine needs of the people of Zimbabwe.
Even if one or two people have, indeed, been paid by some foreign powers, that should never become more important than the millions of Zimbabweans who are genuinely suffering, and mostly living in abject poverty – and obviously never received even a cent from any foreign embassy.
The millions of poor people who are truly angry with this country’s leadership.
The suffering of the millions of Zimbabweans should take precedence over all else.
However, we do not see such an approach from this government, as they seem not at all concerned about addressing the welfare of the people – as is always evident by their speeches.
Even if we were to assume that ZANU PF genuinely has a valid point, but should a caring government not be trying to explain the situation to the nation, instead of brutalising – and threatening to further brutalise – the suffering people?
The continued threats clearly show that the government has no idea whatsoever on how to fix the economy, and their only ‘solution’ is to use brute force to cower the people.
That ‘solution’ will not work, and has never worked.
The people need real solutions, and they need them immediately, as no one can take one more day of this suffering.
° Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice activist and commentator, writer, and journalist. He writes in his personal capacity, and welcomes feedback. Please feel free to WhatsApp/call: +263782283975, or email: tendaiandtinta.mbofana@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter: @Tendai_Mbofana
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