Justifying the indefensible because it fits in with one’s selfish desires is unethical. Zimbabwean politics fails society because those who are not victims of injustice are not as outraged as the victims of it. To judge Sengezo Tshabangu’s action to recall some Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parliamentarians and senators is a right that we embrace, but it must not be abused; it must be exercised without prejudice.
What we are witnessing today is that those doing the judging of Tshabangu are using a different set of standards to those used to judge Nelson Chamisa, the leader of CCC.
For justice’s sake, we believe the rebuke of Sengezo’s actions requires sincerity and must not be done in isolation but in full consideration of all factors that have made those actions possible. It is therefore important that those who want to play judges acquaint themselves with facts on both sides of the channel.
When an objective debate is given an ear, people will begin to appreciate the enormity of structural weaknesses of the CCC that continue to break into public awareness. Those with vested interest in a flawed and clearly unsustainable CCC design dismiss Tshabangu, not because they object to the merit of his argument but to deflect, deny and defend Chamisa.
Protecting our nation and democracy, not Chamisa, is a public responsibility that must not be taken lightly. Political institutions become stronger when internal accountability is strengthened, and leaders’ powers are not boundless but governed within a well-defined set of rules. Lessons learned from the ZANU PF disastrous command are that in the absence of rule of law the weak suffer the most.
While we are expecting everybody to tell the truth on the matter of Sengezo’s recalls, many are muddying the water, drowning questions in a river of words to make us forget what the real issue is about. Once again, let us be reminded that Sengezo is challenging a longstanding systemic marginalisation of Matabeleland people from access to power and decision-making processes.
Remember too, before Sengezo’s actions was the Victoria Falls council chamber rebellion; councillors flatly rejected Chamisa’s insistence on his preferred mayoral candidate who happened to be an outsider.
Grandstanding and shielding Chamisa from criticism seems to be behind the emotionally charged but obviously deficient criticism of Sengezo’s recall of CCC parliamentarians and councillors in Bulawayo. Yes, Chamisa and many CCC members may not like his actions, but they owe it to democracy to be objective or risk opening a highway to despotism and their legitimacy suffering a long-term crisis.
Chamisa’s indiscriminate meddling in local political matters undermines democracy; his fan base needs to accept he is not infallible, and that like all humans he makes mistakes; he is not impervious to mistakes. His leadership of the CCC project falls short of the standards required to run an effective opposition political organisation that will one day defeat ZANU PF and the politics it has come to represent.
The thought of a CCC-led government does not inspire confidence in change but is worrisome to those working for change; a disorganised political entity cannot preside over an organised, principled, and justice-driven government. We believe CCC works perfectly as intended; CCC is about power not public service and the loopholes that form its foundation were enabled to allow Chamisa unhindered access to power for the benefit of his handlers.
A true political replacement for the current disastrous regime starts with the empowerment of local communities, building oversight to stop creating kings and dictators. Chamisa is not and must never be beyond rebuke, where he is deserving of chastisement, he must get it.
People reserve the right to criticise Tshabangu’s act of recalling parliamentarians. But criticising the actions without paying greater attention to the background of that intervention is an exercise in futility, an inept exercise leaving loopholes that will eventually crush CCC as a political project.
In Chamisa is a delusional leader clearly oblivious of his shortcomings. Nothing demonstrates that than his recent statement where he went through a monologue of a portrayal of Sengezo as a villain while totally ignoring the issues raised by the man.
When people focus on deflecting and blame, they will never understand the nature and extent of their indiscretions; Chamisa must not only listen to the song of his praise singers but also watch the dance of his critics; a progressive leader is one brave enough to listen to the uncomfortable content he would rather it was not said; Chamisa must accept responsibility for his own actions and make the shift necessary for growth.
To blindly believe in any leader is to risk sacrificing the present and abandoning the future. Sengezo’s argument has currency in those interested in serving the people but goes against those obsessed with power for its own sake.
MTHWAKAZI INDEPENDENT 