I still have hope that the problems bedeviling Zimbabwe and its entire population can be solved. The Zimbabwe National Army played a critical role in solving the problem which our country faced when the former president, Comrade Robert Mugabe and his wife had captured all state institutions and ran the country as their private property. Many people still recall how Grace Mugabe became a disgrace to the nation of Zimbabwe. Her behaviour was well below the decorum expected of a decent wife of a state president. Her general behaviour was extremely nauseating and provocative but Zimbabweans kept their quiet. She publicly attacked and humiliated anyone whom she viewed as harbouring ambitions to succeed Comrade Robert Mugabe. Urged on by his disgusting wife and a few shameless bootlickers of the G40 cabal, Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe the way he and his wife liked and did not care about what citizens wanted. Despite his advanced age and his failing policies, he would become vicious each time people attempted to discuss his succession. The whole nation looked on helplessly as Grace Mugabe crisscrossed the country, like a raging wounded buffalo bull, bullying and verbally trampling on all and sundry. People of Zimbabwe tried their best to suppress their disapproval and anger because they were afraid of being killed by either Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents or hired assassins. The people’s bottled-up discontent was a ticking time bomb.
Thankfully, the Zimbabwe National Army realized that the revolution had been hijacked by the president and his close friends; Ignatious Chombo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Walter Muzembi, Jonathan Moyo, Augustine Chihuri, Patrick Zhuwawo etc. They remembered their sacred duty to defend the constitution and the people of Zimbabwe. They timely intervened to stop the rot before Mugabe’s intransigence could turn the whole country into a bloody war zone. The Zimbabwe National Army must not forget how Zimbabweans from within and the diaspora celebrated when Mugabe was toppled.

We must bear in mind that former President Robert Mugabe was not a trained soldier. He spent most of his time reading and studying in the dungeons of the Smith regime. We call such people “mabhanditi“. They knew nothing about fighting physically in the bush. Mugabe was just an eloquent public speaker and power monger who believed only in his policies. However, his policies were very divisive and counter-productive in nature. Thus, the intervention by the army averted a complete catastrophe that was daily unfolding before us. At last Zimbabweans had hope for a better future. That better future has, however, remained a pipe dream.
It is not surprising that many people expect the army to sort out the mess we currently find ourselves in. In Rhodesia it was the brave sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed their lives to fight a system which was segregatory in nature. The same combatants took grave risks to defeat the policies and dictatorship of Robert Mugabe. Here is the question I have heard many people asking, “Is the army happy with the current situation?” Many believe the army is not happy. The current leadership is even worse than the previous regime. State house, which is the heart of the nation, is now a playground for cheap criminals, bogus prophets, slay queens and corrupt individuals. The state house has lost its glamour; it has been made very cheap. Against this background, it is not wrong for the people to call upon the Zimbabwe National Army to evaluate the strategy they used in 2017. The army brought us into this situation – the army must take us out of it.
I have much respect for General Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga because he is a tried and tested freedom fighter. True to his credentials as a hero, he didn’t run away or chicken out from returning to Zimbabwe from China even when he had heard that Mugabe’s men were waiting to arrest him upon arrival at RGM International Airport. The army took measures to safeguard him and he came back home, much to the humiliation of Mugabe’s notorious CIO. This is what we call bravery. Contrast it with what happened to Mr. Emerson Mnangagwa. When confronted with danger, he ran away to South Africa fearing for his life. Fighters don’t run away from the line of fire; they confront the hurdles head-on. That is the main difference between freedom fighters and ex-political detainees or mabhanditi, in street lingo!
Comrade Chiwenga brought us where we are now. He was leader of the revolution that ousted Robert Mugabe. For him I have these questions: Are you happy about our current situation Commandante Comrade? Is this the Zimbabwe that thousands of the sons and daughters of this land fought and died for? Have we fulfilled the promises of improved living conditions which were the basis upon which the masses supported our protracted liberation struggle? All war veterans are looking forward to your leadership in this crisis. You are surrounded by very brave sons of Zimbabwe in Lt General Sanyatwe and General Philip Valerio Sibanda among many others in the army. Then there are thousands of us who fought the colonists in that long gruelling war, and millions of hungry masses who yearn for change. You, our capable commanders repeatedly declared that the liberation struggle was prosecuted to liberate the masses. Protection of the rights of citizens is what you told us was the basis of the fight for independence, and it is the protection of the same rights which led you to take the risk of removing Robert Mugabe. My dear commanders, President Mnangagwa is leading the country towards a precipice and I plead with you to summon your courage to redirect this nation.

I personally have no problem with a president staying in power for many years as long as there is progress in the country. The Chinese president worked tirelessly to lift the masses out of poverty where they had been entrapped for decades. For that reason, the people of China have decided to let their leader stay on. In Burkina Faso the people have demonstrated asking their leader Commandante Traore not to resign his position as interim president. The people love him because they are seeing signs of progress. He is a people-oriented president. How great should be the feeling when you lead people who have faith in you! It should be up to the people to decide whether or not a performing leader must stay on. However, it is very repulsive to hear that our failing president is seeking a term extension. What for? Why would anyone want any further prolongation of people’s suffering? The people have suffered long enough. Any tarrying by the president in that position is unmatched heartlessness. When a president fails to deliver, he should “feel for the people” and do the most honourable thing – resign. If his term of office expires, he must likewise respect the constitution and leave. He must play according to the rules of the game. Leaders must be exemplary in their respect of the laws of the land.
Zimbabweans are peace loving people but their patience is being taken for granted. They have been pushed left, right and centre. However, a time will come and it looks very imminent, when the people will push back. We must not forget that not very long ago many sons and daughters of this country took up arms to fight Rhodesia when the people had suffocated enough under its oppression. When leaders don’t care, people will do whatever it takes to find solutions to their problems. Fighting for their rights is part of our people’s DNA since the days of the First Chimurenga. The third term slogan by some dunderheads is causing many people to see only darkness and hopelessness. They are asking if we are ever going to emerge out of the dark tunnel we are in. I vent my anger about poor governance through writing these articles but there are millions out there who are suffering in silence. People have had enough of this poor leadership and their anger is bottling-up because of lack of democratic spaces to air their grievances.
John Lennon says, “When you are drowning you don’t say, ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me.’ You just scream.” The masses are screaming to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to take responsibility for the situation. We would be naïve to expect help from mars or any part of the world. Our help must come from our people best placed to resolve the situation.