In the realm of political strategy, the tactics employed by Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) have proven to be nothing short of spectacular failures. The inability of Zanu PF to comprehend and devise effective strategies has been evident since the liberation struggle, where they failed to secure a decisive victory on the battlefield. The subsequent ill-conceived strategies such as the Lancaster House negotiations, socialist policies, electoral violence, ethnic cleansing, command agriculture, and ZimAsset, have all proven abortive. The current strategy of showcasing ghost defections is the latest in a long line of doomed attempts to gain political traction.
Desperation, as they say, is the mother of failure, which tends to stem from a lack of innovation. In a bid to appeal to a politically savvy electorate that is growing increasingly indifferent to the Zanu PF propaganda, amidst a media-repressed society, the party has resorted to desperate measures. Instead of articulating its achievements and instigating political reforms, the party has descended into the pitfall of parading ghost defections, utilising the recently branded Auxillia Mnangagwa Television as its platform.
Drawing upon an enlightening scripture, one is advised to first address the log of wood in their own eye before attempting to remove the speck in another’s. Zanu PF, with its self-righteous attitude, has disdainfully ignored this piece of wisdom. It’s not in a position to criticise the opposition for the country’s woes when its own monumental failures are the root cause of the political and economic quagmire that Zimbabwe finds itself in. The lack of self-audit and acknowledgment of its failures is a stark deficiency on the part of Zanu PF, rendering its ghost defection strategy an exercise in futility.
The childish antics of parading ghost defections will neither rectify the dire economic fundamentals nor open the much-needed credit lines for the nation. The underlying motive appears to be the portrayal of a weakened opposition, feeding into Zanu PF’s delusional dream of establishing a one-party state with a complaisant opposition, epitomised by the Mwonzora Frankenstein party.
Zanu PF’s reluctance to implement reforms stems not from a lack of will but from a thorough understanding of the consequences. Reforms would inevitably lead to a media liberalisation, empowering the populace with political knowledge, and a subsequent legitimate deprivation of power from Zanu PF. This would usher in a peaceful transition of power to the opposition, restoring the rule of law, upholding the sanctity of the constitution, and demanding accountability for Zanu PF’s rampant corruption and profligacy.
In a desperate bid to maintain its political longevity and illegitimate power retention, Zanu PF has compromised national security and sovereignty. Their erroneous policies have isolated Zimbabwe on the global stage, with foreign direct investments and credit lines shunning the nation like a pariah. The recourse to predatory lenders at exorbitant interest rates is a testament to Zanu PF’s recklessness and ignorance, leading to the forfeiture of strategic national assets.
In conclusion, the futile strategy of parading fake defectors, showcased on Auxillia Mnangagwa Television, only magnifies the lack of depth in Zanu PF’s propaganda. The electorate is growing immune to these desperate tactics, boding a grim outlook for Zanu PF. This strategy, like those before it, is destined for a spectacular failure, further cementing Zanu PF’s legacy of flawed political manoeuvres.
About The Author
