Zanu PF Youth hidden agenda

Kudzai Kennedy Mavasa

Speaking at the official inauguration of the newly launched party this past Saturday, Chivasa announced that the newly established UDF is going to flush out hooliganism and unruly behaviour among the country’s youth.

“The youth under Zanu PF leadership have literary been reduced to tools of political motivated violence and inter-party factional, territorial wars. It undeniable that under the Government lead by President Robert Mugabe, the ill conceived NYS training initiative has become a purposeless and failed venture, reduced to centres of indoctrination where violence and lawlessness and encouraged,” said Chivasa.

This clear spoken youthful leader further described the NYS officers as maggots of darkness who continue to sap the energy of the bleeding masses of this country.

“Our young men and women have for years been infused with venomous and destructive propaganda that distorts the genuine history of our liberation struggle. This is a Zanu PF tactic to deflect attention away from their own incompetence. The UDF seeks to turn the youth into active participants rather than passive recipients of narrow, ruinous and defeatist narratives such as those espoused by the ruling party and current government.”

Chivasa, who also doubles as the National Youth Chairperson, said legitimate national youth policies will be practised in a country run by the UDF and be consistent with global standards. He added that the party’s youth policy document is an international benchmark expected to transform the youth sector in line with peace and real empowerment.

“The UDF youth policy document is expected to transform the country’s youth from militarism to one of responsibility. The national youth service was militarized by the Mugabe regime but we expect the UDF youth policy to reverse this system,” said Chivasa.

Chivasa also stated that the UDF will create more opportunities for young people, create real time jobs, provide better living standards for all citizens and improve social values.

Speaking in his personal capacity, Midlands based political scientist, Professor Frank Mbengo had the following to say: “I understand that the NYS programme was designed to benefit all youth across the nation, providing them with self help development skills, irrespective of political background. If there is someone recruiting youth for the wrong reasons it is highly uncalled for.”

Mbengo added that it is vital to note that a national youth service is not unique to Zimbabwe, but serves a purpose in other countries such as Canada (Katimavik), Nigeria (National Youth Service Corps), Germany (Zivildienst) and China (Youth Service in China).

“This shows just how essential a national youth service is to any given nation,” he concluded.

The youth militia have, since January 2002, become one of the most commonly reported violators of human rights in the country, with accusations against them including murder, torture, rape and destruction of property. They have been blatantly used by ZANU PF as a campaign tool, have enjoyed impunity and have been granted implicit powers to mount roadblocks, disrupt MDC rallies and intimidate voters. This activities of the youth militia has been documented at events such as the Presidential election, the Rural District Council elections, parliamentary by-elections, and most recently in the Urban Council by-elections.