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Constantine Chimakure
ZANU PF never ceases to amaze! At its politburo meeting on Wednesday, the party once again exhibited its resistance to the full consummation of the global political agreement (GPA) by insisting that elections be held this year with or without a new constitution.
This came against a backcloth of industry and commerce’s declaration last week that the country should not be rushed into an election without implementing necessary democratic reforms that will result in a free and fair poll.
Business warned of the political, social and economic consequences of any election to be held under the current dispensation where violence rears its ugly head, biased coverage in the public media, and no legislative and security sector reforms.
Business is worried that without fully consummating the GPA, the country will slide back to June 2008 where anarchy reigned supreme.
The economy almost imploded because our politics were stupid.
Industrial capacity utilisation was below 10%, the health and education sectors were almost dead, the brain drain reached alarming levels and the majority of people wallowed in abject poverty.
Zanu PF’s hullabaloo on elections is retarding the economic recovery gained in the past three years. The talk of elections and the indigenisation drive have affected prospects of direct foreign investment. Investment is timid, it goes where it is wanted; where there is rule of law, which encompasses property rights and political stability –– two key issues Zimbabwe is lacking today.
We wonder why it has been so difficult for Zanu PF and the two MDC formations to simply adhere to what they have agreed on.
The GPA is their product and, therefore, should be implemented without equivocation. The main roadmap to free and fair polls is a new constitution. Without a new constitution, Zimbabweans should form a united front to resist Zanu PF’s plot to stampede us into an election solely meant to secure political papacy for the ageing President Mugabe.
It is now common cause that ill-health and age is taking its toll on Mugabe hence the scheme to fast-track elections in the vain hope that the veteran leader at 88-years-old would be able to withstand the vigorous campaign for power.
We share business’ concerns that without fully implementing the GPA any election will be a farce and the economy will suffer. We don’t want to go back to the dark days of 2008.
We are in agreement with the ZNCC president, Oswell Binha, that holding of elections this year or 2013 is not the issue, but the type and quality of the polls.
“Holding elections this year or next year is not materially important, but what type of election? We do not have the luxury and latitude to return to chaotic electioneering regimes.
It is bad for business,” Binha was quoted saying last week. “The country needs to determine key enablers to a peaceful election that will certainly protect security of investment, freedoms, and indeed growth and development of our means of production. Anarchy and chaos will certainly destroy the gains of stability we have enjoyed to date and we implore government to deal with all underlying issues to ensure a peaceful poll.”
Binha hit the nail on the head when he said the urgency for now should be on improving power and energy supplies, attending to the country’s risk factor that has resulted in the failure to attract lines of credit and foreign direct investment, and guaranteeing business confidence.
We hope Zanu PF will take heed of business’ advice, otherwise we are doomed to another year of arbitrary and damaging decisions.
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Reminds me of the words of one Joshua Nkomo," when a pregnancy is due a baby will come forth whether the mother is a coward or brave" (or words to this effect..when addressing his supporters at the Jairos Jiri Centre in 1977).. Change will come because it must said one famous poet.