by Christine Lethokuhle Mabhena
The much hyped MDC-Chamisa faction demonstration has come and gone, and one of the key demands in their six-page petition was dialogue with President Mnangagwa to map the way forward of a Government of National Unity (GNU).
It boggles one’s mind why should a GNU be formed when we have an elected President who was declared an outright winner with over 50 percent-plus-one of the majority vote.
Since being declared the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has ably taken over the reins at State House and has worked flat out to mend the nation’s economy.
Addressing his supporters last week Thursday, Nelson Chamisa said, “the first thing we are saying is that we should have dialogue with (President) Mnangagwa. We can only solve this issue by dialogue, come and let us unite, you with the few and I come with my many and we share notes, that is what we are saying.
“This is the matter we want to discuss with him, him saying what he wants, and we also tell him what we want; and we conclude this issue considering that he made himself president and I was chosen by the people and also come up with a policy as to who does what and who goes where.”
The last statement above struck me in awe. So for the young Nelson Chamisa it’s not all about serving the people, but to grab posts for his cronies in his envisaged GNU.
A leader who only thinks for himself is not for the people.
Following his defeat in the July 30 presidential election, Chamisa has been devising ways to get into Government through the back door much in same way he grabbed the MDC presidency following the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s death.
He is on record that he will sabotage all the Government initiatives through his “tozvidira jecha” mantra. A question that comes into mind is that how can a self-confessed saboteur work for the good of the country other than enriching himself?
Another interesting dimension to the GNU calls by Mr Chamisa is that how is he going to work with President Mnangagwa whom he has stridently refused to recognise his legitimacy.
Even in his petition document submitted to Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, SADC Chairperson, President Hage Geingob of Namibia and the AU Chairperson, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, titled “the Petition on the Roadmap to Legitimacy and Democracy in Zimbabwe (Reload),” Chamisa completely ignores the Executive which is led by President Mnangagwa.
Chamisa’s GNU machinations have already suffered a major setback as SADC through its Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax has poured cold water on the petition.
Addressing journalists last Friday after a three day working visit to Zimbabwe, Dr Tax said, “In terms of the petition, I have not received the petition. What should be recognised is that Zimbabwe is a sovereign country, Zimbabwe has a Constitution and Zimbabwe is guided by a number of legislations. Our advice is that let those be observed, elections took place, elections were contested, the Constitutional Court also judged. So, all those were processes and instruments to ensure that there is democracy.”
SADC has thrown its full support to President Mnangagwa’s leadership and is prepared to work with him as he takes over one of its influential Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation in 2019 SADC Summit.
Mr Chamisa is already left with egg on his face as his envisaged GNU is set to die a natural death.
After all, it’s not necessary as it smuggles election losers into the Government who will not contribute anything meaningful to the revival of the economy.
