The stark spectacle of factionalism within Zimbabwe’s infamous ruling party, ZANU PF, unveils a tale of greed, power thirst and a discernible detachment from the plights of the ordinary citizen. The party, with a historically sadistic hue, is embroiled in a whirlpool of internal discord stemming from an ingrained culture of corruption and power mongering. This narrative, dating back to the era of chilling assassinations of party stalwarts like Chitepo and Tongogara, paints a grim picture of a party in the throes of self-destructive factionalism.
Central to this disconcerting saga is ZANU PF’s unabated quest for primitive accumulation, a quest that seemingly places the party’s parochial interests over and above the welfare of the masses. The stark reality of public deprivation, juxtaposed against the backdrop of opulent living among party officials, symbolises the systemic rot within the party. The likes of Minister Kazembe epitomise this grandiose level of self-enrichment, a stark testament to the endemic corruption within the party ranks.
The narrative of “Guerrillas to Millionaires” evokes a sense of bewildering irony. Former guerrillas, once reliant on foreign benevolence, have morphed into opulent millionaires and billionaires, leaving the populace in a state of abject poverty. This glaring dichotomy, a manifestation of a party engrossed in self-aggrandisement, illuminates the essence of factionalism within ZANU PF – a relentless chase for power and wealth.
Delving into the roots of this wealth chasm, one is transported back to the days of ZANU PF’s infancy, a period devoid of the plundering extravagance witnessed today. The liberation struggle era, marked by resource paucity, presents a stark contrast to the current scenario, provoking intriguing inquiries into the genesis of this wealth disparity.
The metamorphosis of ZANU PF into a parasitic behemoth, plundering at the helm of national resources, epitomises a party lost to the whims of corruption and factionalism. Incidents of brazen resource plundering, exemplified by individuals like Rushwaya, punctuate the narrative of a party engrossed in a self-preservation agenda. Factional clashes emanate from this relentless chase for power and wealth, forging a defining characteristic of the party’s current identity.
The paradoxical dependency of ZANU PF on a cycle of resource exploitation depicts a party entrapped in its parasitic tendencies. The hierarchy of plundering, from the upper echelons to the lower cadres, breeds a fertile ground for factionalism, further exacerbating the nation’s socio-political woes.
The tale of ZANU PF is one marinated in betrayal, power struggles and an unyielding grip on corruption. The party, once revered as a bastion of liberation, now stands as a symbol of self-enrichment and a tragic betrayal of public trust. The ongoing factionalism-fueled violence serves as a grim reminder that the welfare of the populace remains overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of power and affluence within the party’s core.
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