ZANU PF’S DELUSION: CONFUSING APATHY WITH PEACE

Zanu PF and its leader, Mnangagwa, think that the citizens of Zimbabwe are peaceful and happy under their rule. They see the lack of protests as a sign that people are content. But this is a big mistake. The British made the same mistake when they ruled Zimbabwe, thinking the Shona people were lazy and cowardly. This underestimation cost them dearly. Zanu PF has adopted the same oppressive tactics from the settlers and added more of their own. They rely on the military, a biased judiciary, and a compliant parliament to keep control, believing the people are peaceful.

Zanu PF is fooling itself. This is not to say the people are violent, but political apathy and peace are not the same. Zanu PF is holding on to power that rightfully belongs to the people. When people don’t protest, Zanu PF thinks this inaction means peace. But this is just a fantasy. Zanu PF wants to dominate Zimbabwe’s politics without the people’s consent. They lack popular support. The talk of peace is really about stopping any uprising.

Why does Zanu PF fear an uprising? They have made people believe that the right to assembly is violence against the state, influenced by enemies like Washington, Brussels, and London. This does not make sense. The real issue is that these places support democracy, which Zanu PF sees as a threat. They prefer the exploitative relationship with China over democratic efforts from the West.

Zanu PF links the right to assembly to Western democratic ideas. When journalists expose corruption, Zanu PF calls them agents of regime change. They label these demands for transparency as threats to national peace and security. But this really means threats to Zanu PF’s power.

Zanu PF is not interested in real peace. They want to keep the status quo. Democratic reforms, like a free media, threaten their power. A democratic Zimbabwe would be more peaceful than the current apathetic one. But successful democratic changes are a threat to Zanu PF’s control.

The suffering and misery of Zimbabweans could lead to an uprising, which Zanu PF sees as violence against the state. They are puzzled why the people remain apathetic when their power is held illegitimately. This illegitimate power causes the people’s suffering.

For Zanu PF, peace means maintaining their power. This allows them to continue plundering the people’s wealth. They have neglected the people’s welfare since 1980. When people protest for their rights and demand accountability, Zanu PF responds with violence. The military beats, maims, rapes, and kills those who protest.

This state-sponsored violence discourages people from participating in politics. This is not peace. Zimbabwe needs national peace and reconciliation to heal from the damage Zanu PF has caused. The country is deeply divided and polarized due to Zanu PF’s actions.

In conclusion, Zanu PF confuses political apathy with peace. They hold on to power through fear and violence, not through the people’s consent. Real peace in Zimbabwe will come from democratic reforms and addressing the people’s needs, not from maintaining the oppressive status quo.