Gerald Magara
FOLLOWING a possible escalation of tensions and infighting in Zanu PF, and government in the past 48 hours – first with the removal of Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe and Blessed Geza’s latest threats targeted at individuals around President Emmerson Mnangagwa – there are growing concerns among ordinary citizens that people might be used again in this purely factional war as they were in 2017.
As usual, the masses are hardly recognised as main actors in these political dramas and narrative, as they are often marginalised from the planning, benefits and attendant activities, which has prompted state security officials seized with the current situation – including March 31’s planned demonstrations – to say: people might the biggest losers again in this latest round of infighting and succession battles.
“From the very unpopular 2030 term extension bid to other socio-economic issues and the internal political dynamics in the ruling party, there is legitimate public interest in these developments but the question is: who will benefit from these street protests and self-serving war?” asked the security official, who cannot be named for professional reasons.
“While the ouster of Robert Mugabe was styled and celebrated as a popular uprising against authoritarian rule, and economic malaise, these past seven or so years have shown us that the coup which ushered Mnangagwa into power ultimately benefitting the military and Zanu PF elites only,” they said.
Hence, people like Geza have tried to capitalise on widespread discontent at slow economic reforms, public sector corruption and improvements in ordinary folks’ lives to push for leadership change through various ways, including Monday’s protests, amid widespread fears and skepticism that this was a war by certain powerful interests, and securocrats desperate to further entrench their power as well as restore their “eating privileges”.
“It is pertinent to note that these regime change shrill-calls and production of ‘anti-graft hit lists’ featuring individuals, and entities like Agrifora, Pedzai Sakupwanya, Kuda Tagwrei, John Mangudya and treasury officials led by George Guvamatanga have intensified after some powerful private, and public sector interests had lost their positions where they were inflating army, police and prison supply tenders, and after government had introduced a centralised procurement system,” the officials said, adding “state coffers were being looted through care hires, duty free fuel, inflated rations, uniforms and equipment supplies”.
“While the monthly security sector invoices and requests were upwards of US$26 million – and now down to a third of that agricultural commodities trader – there were people and suppliers being paid US$15 per kilogramme of beef and as opposed to US$4,90 under the arrangement with the independent and Makhosonke Nkiwane-led agricultural commodities trader, which people like Geza are choosing to ignore and criticise through misinformation campaigns.”
After we understand, security sector supplies have not only stabilised across barracks and police stations, but the police ordinance and prison uniform factories are also buzzing with activity as they are getting material from source markets such as India, and all.
And this was not only after the government had formed a multi-agency committee to identify, and engage suppliers directly, but the Agrifora partnership has actually saved and freed up some cash for government to be able to support other critical social services such as hospitals.
“So, there is a real risk here that the whole country might be plunged and stampeded into a selfish war, a clear understanding of what people are fighting for and Zimbabweans must surely be tired of being used, and getting shortchanged as the ex-Zanu PF central committee member is basically inciting and fanning anger towards Mnangagwa’s government on behalf of some wounded comrades, and interests,” the officials said.
“At any rate, they have made so many strategic blunders and the fact that popular opposition figures like Nelson Chamisa, who could help the March 31 cause, have distanced themselves also puts paid to the project, if not jeopardy. Geza and company could be raising some important issues, but the problem is that they are driven by self-interest and which then raises the question about whether the ordinary man should be excited about these planned actions.”
Again, the scale of misinformation and self-serving propaganda such as claims that Better Brands owner Sakupwanya was not paying value added tax when gold is exempted from that, might not be helpful to discerning citizens as this represents a needless misrepresentation of facts.
In this, l am not trying to defend anyone here, but give Zimbabweans an alternative view and make them look at this unfolding story objectively.
*This is an abridged and slightly edited version of Magara’s piece, which was originally published by The NewsHawks today.
