The arrest of 10 MDC-T legislators last week on allegations of disorderly conduct confirms what we have always known: that there are more than just a few hardliners in President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) party who are determined to wreck the unity government experiment in the hope that by that act they could forever forestall change.But the arrest of the MPs, as with the arrest of several other top MDC officials in recent weeks, also confirms our worst fears: that the so-called hardliner element in Zanu (PF) bereft of any workable strategyappears resolved to tear down everything not because it would benefit from such mindless labour. But simply because the MDC would not profit from the ruin. It is a rather bizarre scorched earth strategy. Clearly, they never bargained on Morgan Tsvangirai agreeing to join the unity government.
By simply sticking it out in a loveless marriage of convenience and refusing to be frustrated into quitting, Tsvangirai has send the hardliners in Zanu (PF) and the military establishment into panic mode.The refusal to implement in full all the clauses of the Global Political Agreement, the farm invasions and political violence that continue and the arrest of MDC officials and Members of Parliament are sufficient evidence to the whole world as to who wields the hard power in Zimbabwe for now!
But arresting MPs who are seeking to see the Minister of Finance or his representative on legitimate business is hardly a strategy to revive or recalibrate Zanu (PF) into a winning party come the next election. After all Zanu (PF) and their allies in the police could arrest all their political opponents but they cannot arrest the electorate. Democracy is about persuasion and not about who wields the most lethal power. Obviously, this is something Zanu (PF) hardliner or non-hardliner might find hard to grasp after 29 years of forcing their will on Zimbabweans.
However, it is something that we really hope Zanu (PF) learns fast. For, in the greater interest of growing democracy in Zimbabwe we do not wish to see Zanu (PF) die. Rather, we earnestly hope that Zanu (PF) is able to change and reform into a party that can win elections without having to shed blood or burn down whole villages.But all we, mere mortals, can do is to hope and pray because in the end it is only Zanu (PF) that can cleanse itself of Zanu (PF)!
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga