What is interesting is that when they were initially set up, DCCs were said to be crucial for the co-ordination of party activities at the district level. This is the level at which the people are located. The grassroots are clearly the most important support level for a political party. Now we are told that the work of these now defunct party structures will be done by the provincial executives.
What is being forgotten here is that the very same problems that infested the DCCs will now shift gears and move up to the provincial level. The Politburo and Central Committee of Zanu (PF) have failed to resolve the problem of divisions and factionalism in the party. The strident calls for unity have largely gone unheeded by the majority of the leaders.
It is all about power and position, with the attendant privileges. District and provincial positions in the former people’s party significantly influence political placements at the national level. It is generally believed that the Emmerson Mnangagwa faction had successfully grabbed the majority of the DCCs, while VP Mujuru’s faction had almost been wiped out at that level. The abolishment of the DCCs is therefore a major blow to the Mnangagwa faction a blessing to the Mujuru faction.
In normal and democratic political parties, what has happened with regards to the disbanding of the DCCs in Zanu (PF) would have resulted in the national political commissar resigning his position, as he would have been deemed to have failed to execute his mandate. But Webster Shamu is not likely to step down from his scary position any time soon. The fact that the chronic problem of disunity and factionalism in Zanu (PF) has not been resolved essentially means that the party is going to experience the same problem at the provincial level sooner rather than later.
The Zanu (PF) leadership should just accept the fact that it has finally reached the end of the road. It should proceed to make room for more democratic political parties to take over the running of this country in an effective and democratic manner. Recent efforts to garner the support of other regional political parties under the guise of liberation movements will not help the beleaguered reeling party.
Sadly, Zanu (PF) is likely to miss another golden opportunity to renew its leadership by allowing and encouraging younger members to fill up those leadership positions that have, for decades, been the preserve of the over-seventies.
The continued growth of the support being given to the MDC-T by the majority of the people of this country should serve as a warning that failure to respond to the people’s demands for a renewed leadership will result in a resounding rejection of Zanu (PF) by the people.
The rejection of the old guard should be understood to include the very top level of the party. The centre has finally failed to hold.
– makumbe60@gmail.com
Post published in: Opinions & Analysis