Cde Honest Vhura Hombe
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a dazzling display of political finesse, has once again proven that in Zimbabwe, power doesn’t just shift it orchestrates a grand performance.
His latest spectacle, a brilliant strategy to extend his reign through 2030, and beyond, with an unexpected twist, the opposition.
The opposition, once the heralds of change and reform, now find themselves perfectly positioned to play an entirely new role in the political theatre that of the toothless “watchdog.”
What a noble job it is for the opposition barking fiercely at the status quo without ever really doing much to change it.
Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda is nothing short of visionary.
Forget about economic stability, free markets, or political pluralism.
What Zimbabwe really needs is a decade-long extension of his presidency, plus a few constitutional amendments to smooth things over.
After all, why let something as trivial as a democratic process stand in the way of a good, long, uninterrupted reign?
This isn’t just about holding power, it’s about *ensuring the power stays in the right revolutionary hands.
Enter the Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) an opposition, now acting as the perfect counterpoint to ZANU PF’s well-rehearsed power ballet.
If this were a chess game, the opposition would be the pawns, though don’t be fooled.
These aren’t just any pawns.
They’ve been artfully positioned, in full view of the public, ready to move at a moment’s notice but not to actually win the game.
Rather, to help ensure that ZANU PF keeps its grip on the board.
If you’re wondering how this happened, history offers us some clues.
ZANU PF has always been ahead of the game when it comes to manipulating opposition movements, and let’s not kid ourselves, they’re still at it.
Back on December 22, 1987 Robert Mugabe famously “reconciled” with ZAPU signing the Unity Accord in the aftermath of the bloody Gukurahundi genocide that claimed over 20, 000 Ndebele speaking people.
iThis move however, tsolidified ZANU PF’s dominance, but hey, who doesn’t love a little historical rewriting, especially when it helps you stay in charge?
Fast forward to 2009, when Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC joined the Government of National Unity, effectively resuscitating a floundering ZANU PF and giving it the political oxygen it needed to stay alive.
Ah, the 2017 coup nothing says “political stability” like opposition figures playing musical chairs with loyalty.
Take James Maridadi, for example, a seasoned Zanu PF informant who was somehow tasked with spearheading Mugabe’s impeachment.
I guess it’s hard to argue when your resume includes “selling party secrets for lunch money.”
Meanwhile, Nelson Chamisa and the MDC crowd were rallying the streets, enthusiastically cheering on a coup that, ironically, left them with a front-row seat to their own political demise.
Fast forward a bit, and Chamisa, who once had a whole party behind him, suddenly “found himself” abandoning the CCC he founded, rumor has it, a little bribe from Mnangagwa sweetened the deal.
Just when you thought the plot couldn’t thicken any more, enter Tshabangu, who went from political nobody to Mnangagwa’s BFF.
No surprise there, after all, who wouldn’t back a president ready to extend his reign into the 2030s?
In Zimbabwean politics, loyalty’s just another word for “who’s signing the checks?”
Take, for example, the recent draft motion by lawmaker Energy Mutodi calling for constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure.
The opposition’s response, a masterclass in political neutrality.
CCC MP Charles Moyo may deny being involved in the petition, but there’s no mistaking the subtle signals being sent.
The real story lies in the contradictions between interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, who seemed more than happy to endorse Mnangagwa’s prolonged stay at the top, and his spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, who was quick to claim that the matter had never been officially discussed.
This careful political dance of denial and subtle alignment is a testament to ZANU PF’s unparalleled ability to engineer chaos and confusion for the sole purpose of strengthening its control.
Who needs opposition when you can control the narrative and manufacture dissent?
The CCC, once a beacon of resistance, is now stuck in the role of a passive observer a toothless watchdog that barks but doesn’t bite.
While we’re on the topic of this newfound role for the opposition, let’s talk about how this ties in perfectly with Mnangagwa’s long-term vision.
By encouraging the opposition to act as mere commentators on political matters, rather than active challengers, Mnangagwa secures a future where ZANU PF faces no real opposition.
The opposition gets to pretend they’re fighting the good fight, and Mnangagwa gets to do exactly what he wants without anyone asking too many uncomfortable questions.
The justification for extending his presidency, of course, is to “ensure stability, economic growth, and national peace.”
It’s a well-worn script, lifted from the playbooks of authoritarian regimes in Uganda, Rwanda, and Russia, where opposition parties are seen not as threats but as accessories to the authoritarian machine.
Why bother with pesky democratic processes when you can have the appearance of democracy while keeping everything in check?
Let’s be clear, Mnangagwa’s “2030 Vision” is not about economic growth or peacebuilding. It’s about ensuring that, come 2030, ZANU PF is still firmly in charge, using whatever means necessary.
If that means manipulating the opposition to endorse constitutional amendments or create just enough of a democratic illusion to appease the international community, so be it.
In the end, the real question isn’t whether Zimbabwe will see economic reform or political liberation.
The real question is whether the opposition will ever reclaim its role as a true challenger to power, or if they’ll remain content to play their part in this meticulously choreographed dance.
To be honest in Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe, it seems the opposition’s best move is to sit tight, make a show of resistance, and ensure that the status quo remains undisturbed.
A beautiful strategy, really.
A round of applause is in order.
