She was found guilty of “violating the party constitution and failing to conduct herself honestly and honourably in her dealings with the party and public and bringing Zanu (PF) into disrepute”.
This, of course, is a lot of hogwash. The real reasons for her sacking are that as a Christian woman and a mother she loathes violence and preaches peace. She refused to divide her constituents along political lines, the Zanu (PF) way, but worked with them as a single community under her umbrella as their leader. She had also banned political party slogans at her constituency meetings because she realised that, as MP for the area, she represented everybody and not just Zanu (PF) members.
This is as it should be, but unfortunately it runs against Zanu (PF)’s warped and primitive understanding of the practice of politics. Mutinhiri drove the nail into her own Zanu (PF) political life when she accused state agents, who are controlled by her party, of plotting to kill her and dump her body into Wenimbe Dam, “Like they did to hundreds of innocent suspected MDC supporters in June 2008”.
Zanu (PF) does not understand that political battles are all about genuinely winning the hearts and minds of people. This can never be achieved by cheap propaganda, sloganeering or violent coercion. It can only be achieved by delivering real goods to the people.
Mutinhiri understood this very clearly and had her priorities in order. She was working hard to make sure she could retain her seat in the forthcoming elections. She had succeeded in winning over the hearts and minds of the ordinary people of Marondera East. I can say, without fear of contradiction, that no other candidate would have stood a chance against her. She had in fact won the Marondera East seat for Zanu (PF) without campaigning. She had even won the hearts and minds of local MDC members.
The MDC District Chairperson, Samuel Machekanyanga, councillor for Ward 19, said of Mutinhiri: “Despite conflicting political ideologies, she was that type of legislator who accommodated politicians from rival political parties. We enjoyed good working relations with her and would give each other due respect.”
Ordinary Zimbabweans are not interested in political ideologies and hate-filled slogans. Neither are they interested in who died for this country in the liberation war and is willing to die for it again! All they are interested in are leaders who identify with them and are willing to work with them to bring sadza to the table, to achieve their goals and to fulfil their dreams, whatever their political affiliations may be. Mutinhiri was doing just that.
In an article published in The Zimbabwean on September 8, the writer, who had visited Marondera East, said villagers in the area were now like sheep without a shepherd after their leader fell out of favour with the former ruling party. A senior villager from Mupazvirihwo village said to the reporter: “The honourable member of Parliament preached peace and political tolerance among supporters of rival political parties.
Through the government sponsored Constituency Development Fund, Mutinhiri rehabilitated dilapidated clinics, furnished school classrooms and initiated income generating projects for households throughout the constituency. Mutinhiri kept her promises and it was devastating to learn that such a democrat had created enemies in her own party. We will follow her future political decisions.”
Mutinhiri’s political acumen and acceptance by her constituents, including MDC party members, has not gone unnoticed by the MDC national leadership. Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora is quoted as saying: “Minister Mutinhiri is welcome to join the MDC. Zanu (PF) wanted her to chant slogans and act in a partisan way when discharging her duties as MP. She, however, acted like a mother and a leader. To us she is a professional MP, a dignified woman of virtue and is a clear example of what a community leader must be.”
I say Amen, Brother Mwonzora!
Post published in: Opinions & Analysis