There is an uncomfortable lull in the affairs of the nation since the submission of the latest report by the negotiating teams to the South African President, Jacob Zuma a few weeks ago. It does look like fatigue has set in and the three political parties in the inclusive government seem to have grown weary of bickering. This is a dangerous development since it can be taken advantage of by the weakest political party, Zanu (PF), to re-group and re-energise itself.
There was fun, however, at the National Stadium on Independence Day when Mugabe was introduced as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces. There was a clear grumbling of disapproval from the audience. When Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai was introduced, there was wild cheering and whistling by the clearly partisan audience indicating their strong approval and love for MT and his MDC party.
Near where my informer was sitting, a small group of Zanu (PF) women started singing their partys old songs and they were quickly silenced by the police who told them that they were not attending a party rally. One by one, the poor women began to leave that area in embarrassment.
Nevertheless, it became abundantly clear to Mugabe and Zanu (PF) who was the man of the moment between MT and the old man. The slowing down of the tug of war between the MDC-T and Zanu (PF) does not in any way mean that the two political parties have found each other at last. On the contrary, this may be an indication that the two are still poles apart. None of the issues that have so far been agreed on have been implemented.
The constitution making process has once again come to a halt and the outreach teams have not yet been deployed. The Zanu (PF) hoodlums that have been terrorizing people in some rural areas are getting tired of waiting for war against these teams. They have been mobilizing and intimidating the people to demand that the ridiculous Kariba draft be adopted as the basis of the proposed constitution.
Now they are quickly running out of food, money and patience. Donors are making all kinds of demands regarding how their money is to be used. Legislators are desperate to make as much money as they can through the constitution making process. Perhaps Madhuku was right after all. It is, however, likely that we will see some action in the next few weeks and the constitution making process gets underway. In Zimbabwe, you need to develop a very thick skin in order to stay the course; otherwise you get thoroughly frustrated by the pace at which political developments take place.
What is even more frustrating is the fact that the clock does not stop for anyone. Soon the time that was generally agreed to be the duration of the inclusive government will expire. If that happens before a new and democratic constitution is in place, then it will be back to the drawing board for the three parties and the SADC.
If, on the other hand, a new constitution will have been agreed and adopted, then we will just have to go for elections. There are those who argue that Zimbabwe is not yet ready for elections; I totally disagree with such views. There is never a time when any nation is ready for elections. Ready or not, the nation will have to go for elections so that we can have a proper government that will have been elected by the people of this country. We are tired of the bad governance that this country has been subjected to by Zanu (PF) for 30 years. Regime change is imperative and inevitable.
Post published in: Opinions