John Makumbe at large (23-11-06)

nsultative conference. Simple wisdom would dictate that all the named persons should resign from their official positions prior to the holding of that meaningless conference at Goromonzi in Mashonaland East.
The same should apply to the people involved in the importation of jecha (sand) from South Africa under the pretext of importing fertiliser for the collapsing agricultural sector. All the individuals concerned should step down from their positions in the interest of the nation.
This is, obviously, wishful thinking on my part, since we all know that despite its claim that it is fighting against corruption, the rotten Zanu (PF) regime is not known to demand such actions from those from among its members who happen to be caught with their sticky fingers in the cookie jar.
Zanu (PF) does not have a culture of resignations from office for such minor issues as corruption, murder, rape or violations of human rights. In fact, any person named in any corruption scandal who decides to resign is considered a big fool in Zanu (PF) thinking. This is understandable since the whole party, from top to bottom, is chock-a-block with thieves, murderers and rapists.
If corrupt Zanu (PF) officials and senior government personnel were to resign from their positions on account of being alleged to be involved in corruption, murder, rape and human rights violations that party would be leaderless and devoid of any significant number of members.
A brief overview of some of the named people that should resign as a result of the Ziscosteel-gate would indicate that Vice Presidents, Mujuru and Msika would have to go. Mugabe would never allow such a development, as he knows that his party would be fatally crippled as a result. Minions like Samuel Mumbengegwi, Olivia Muchena and Sithembiso Nyoni can be dispensable since their role in Cabinet and in the party are largely peripheral. Few people in Zanu (PF) and in the nation would miss them or notice their absence.
Further, these would be relatively easier people to replace since Mugabe’s party is full of persons of equal mediocrity anyway. We must, however, not forget that reshuffling Cabinet and replacing dead former Cabinet ministers have become very difficult tasks for good old Gushungo to undertake. Notice how long it is taking him to replace the late Information and Publicity Minister, Jokonya. Mugabe has really become inefficient and ineffective as a national leader. They say he spends most of his time dozing in the office. At his age, who wouldn’t?
The other thieves include Stan Ivonovich Mudenge, Minister of Higher Education, who spends most of his time being sick, and the un-elected Tsholotsho saga survivor, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa. Both these gentlemen should do the nation a favour by resigning now, before the Zanu (PF) December meeting is held. Both are such lacklustre performers that they would not be missed by the nation. The last two, Mudariki and Munyoro, are both former Members of Parliament, and none of them is still in the Mugabe government.
They should therefore be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted under the law. Together with the people currently in government, these corruption gurus should be tried and if convicted, made to repay the state every single cent, including interest. That would demonstrate to the nation and the Southern African region that the Mugabe regime is serious about fighting corruption.
With regard to the fertiliser scandal, both Joseph Made and Gideon Gono should also step down from office. Of course Mugabe would reject Gono’s resignation outright, but he may be tempted to let Made go given the disaster that is the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.