Why ZANU-PF is able to stay in power

Gibson Nyikadzino

DID you know that fear is a very strong tool that can blur human’s logic and change their behavior? Without popular fear, no government could endure more than twenty-four hours. Fear is definitely the main tool of a government, institutions and even ecclesiastical movements. Because of this fear, many Zimbabweans are too scared to disobey laws.

In the USA today, President Donald Trump’s administration is using the “communist resurgence” as a tool to keep citizens in check in its fight against China. Trade wars and diplomatic tiffs have become the order of the day. The January 3 assassination of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani by the Trump administration was a pre-emptive strike over what it termed “Soleimani’s terrorist plan to hit American targets and injure our interests.” The resurgence of communism and the growth of terrorism are phenomena Americans do not want to hear about. During his campaign in 2016, Trump’s campaign message centred on “Make America Great Again,” a message that resonated with white supremacy and invoked the memories of the evils of the KKK alternatively interpreted “Make America White Again.”

When the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was formed in 1999, many young people switched political allegiance from Zanu-PF to the newfound party. These same youths were executioners of violence and intimidation in the Zanu-PF structures, whose tactics they moved with to MDC. Their commitment, zeal and enthusiasm to defend the MDC values led their late founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai to issue the famous 2000 statement: “What we say to Robert Mugabe: if you don’t want to go peacefully, we will remove you violently.” Tsvangirai was confident of violence and atmosphere of fear and intimidation his young followers would secure his determination. Meanwhile, Zanu-PF because it had the institutions of power, used the Boarder Gezi National Youth Service to counter the threats posed by the MDC. The revolutionary party was victorious.

Extremely rare but vivid threats often loom large in the human mind. Most people wildly overestimate the courage they claim they have.

Today this fear remains a formidable tool used against political opponents or amongst followers of some charismatic leaders. In this scenario, some people in Zimbabwe, for example, are afraid of speaking out against MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa because of fear of getting ostracized. This equally goes to speaking out against Zanu-PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa. Charismatic leaders like Chamisa entice disillusioned people into giving them support. On the contrary, leaders like Mnangagwa use the threat of the west’s envy of Zimbabwe’s resources to deter anyone seemingly trying to challenge their authority.

Despite living in this post-liberal world where the right to independence of thought and freedom of expression are remarkable tenets, fear rules!

This week’s events in Zimbabwe have been very unsettling. The arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for speaking out against corruption attracted a sharp disapproval on government actions by the United Nations (UN). The role of the journalist in this era is most noble. It is perhaps the highest form of public service, not because it is easy, but it is oftentimes difficult. The State at the same time alleges that while Chin’ono spoke out against corruption, he incited violence by mobilizing citizens using social media to take over power unconstitutionally on July 31. He was arrested along with Jacob Ngarivhume who contested under the MDC-Alliance ticket for a parliamentary seat for Bikita East constituency and garnered 638 votes.

In the same week, there was a state sanctioned, dispassionate and ceremonial taking away of civil liberties through a curfew to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Yes, the speed of the spread of the virus is phenomenal. However, citizens were not given enough time to prepare, the decision was necessary to some extent but impromptu. The curfew according to the government, is enforced by members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and police. Since the curfew on Wednesday, I have been a witness to some arrests, they were vile, debased and horrifyingly sadistic.

Those who cheered both Chin’ono and Ngarivhume on social media are nowhere near him because the government has deployed the security apparatus to deal with the rowdy citizenry. The government has not been judicious. They made the judgement to deploy heavy and armed officers following the momentum on Twitter which has been pedaled by other inter-territorial citizens who are for the protests.

Do not be surprised, the Zanu-PF government knows how to deal with people it has dominated for forty years. Government is achieving its goals through intimidation and brutality. Even the most courageous, those like Job Sikhala, Obert Masaraure and Godfrey Tsenengamu, key proponents critical of government, have fled their homes because they are scared, afraid and in fear.

These stories are fizzling the determination of Twitter warriors whose generals, Chin’ono and Ngarivhume have been denied bail and remanded in police custody. The two are alone. I understand their fight, but they were speaking to cowards. Zimbabweans are generally cowards, not patient. This fear is coupled with mistrust. In 2004 former minister Prof. Jonathan Moyo said: “There is enough space in Zimbabwe’s prisons for journalists.” After such remarks, Moyo is at the forefront expressing his determination to see the current administration go. In view of this, people should be scared and afraid.

The reason why Chin’ono was arrested has nothing to do with inciting violence. He spoke an offensive political idea of accountability, a legitimate issue for public debate and got arrested. Similarly, in the USA, wartime President Woodrow Wilson jailed 5 000 citizens for speaking against America’s involvement during WWI. They were threatened for speaking out a political idea relevant for public debate.

It is true Chin’ono exposed corruption and it is fact that he is now in prison alone, without any cheerleader by his side. Facts and truth have nothing to do with each other. Zimbabweans are not a patient people as many would think, but great cowards that tremble with pride. They push each other and embolden one another behind oneness and patriotism, but stumble when they confronted by formidable responses.

It is fear that rules the world. As it is, Zimbabweans will continue to live in fear, and danger of violent death. The lives of citizens will remain solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.

For feedback: gnyikadzino@gmail.com