Tsvangirai’s rhetoric
Some media reports state that the unity government has been successful so far. Morgan Tsvangirai thinks so too.
We all have a different view of what successful looks like, but lets look at a couple of things:
1) The unity government has gotten teachers, nurses and doctors back to work on the unlivable, and therefore unsustainable, allowance of US$100/per month.
2) Because civil servants are back at work doesn’t mean that the actual institutions are functioning. Hospitals don’t have light bulbs let alone medicines.
3) Tsvangirai states that the resuscitation of the agricultural sector is at the heart of Zimbabwe’s recovery, and that ongoing land invasions are responsible for donors withholding funding. Tsvangirai promises to arrest land invaders; he fails to act.
4) The bonding and what to do for the next 100 days retreat resolves that prisoners must be fed following the shocking expose of appalling conditions in Zimbabwe’s prisons. I’m looking forward to seeing the plan and the actual implementation, not just the Victoria Falls Declaration.
5) In just about any other country, the head of a prison service that presides over a system of starvation would be fired. Why has Tsvangirai not called for Zimondi’s dismissal?
6) Recent reports have exposed the fact that there are thousands of “ghosts” on various payrolls. For example Zanu PF youth militia. They are being subsidised by the unity government. This means that legitimate civil servants who actually turn up for work, like teachers, are paid less. What will Tsvangirai do about this?
Does Tsvangirai have any real influence or power in this political arrangement? Because it looks like he’s all about rhetoric rather than the ability to act.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 at 10:51 am
Hi,
I hope you don not mind but I have posted this on FB for discussion. I think it is necessary to involve as many people as possible to force change.
Good, valid points are raised by your article. Thank you
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 at 6:25 pm
[...] the unity government in Zimbabwe a success?, “Some media reports state that the unity government has been successful so far. Morgan [...]
Wednesday, April 8th 2009 at 12:49 am
Valid points but MT is not the only one. Journalists, bloggers, activists…all rhetoric specialists.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe gurgles down the drain. I wonder if anyone in Government is getting the message: NO development money will be released while farm invasions go on, repressive legislation remains on the books and political prisoners rot in jail on trumped up charges.
How long can Zimbabwe last on humanitarian aid? Why does not everyone who has breath, wheels and guts get themselves to a threatened farm to form a human chain, stand outside the jails, take to the streets..? Because, obviously, it’s too dangerous. Rhetoric is a great deal safer. And having meetings, and publishing calls for this and that. Even if every MDC minister and MP took themselves to a place where human rights are violated and stayed there until it stops….in their new Mercs if necessary…because if nothing is DONE they will not long be in Government, and it’s pretty clear right now that no one else will be, either.
If hand wringing could supply the National Grid, Zimbabwe would be lit up like Christmas lights and South Africa would be, too.
Wednesday, April 8th 2009 at 8:38 am
Thanks Sally.
I like what you’re suggesting but I think that we (all of us) have succumbed too much to diplomacy. Certainly individuals look toward their leaders (MT etc) to initiate action. If MT organised a farm sit-in, I would certainly support it. Of course one might say, well why don’t I organise it but clearly if MT with the “machine” of the MDC behind him initiated it, the action would have more impact and gather more support than if I did it.
I do think that we are likely to see a very eloquent Victoria Falls Declaration published which sounds very good, as have all of MT’s speeches to date . . . but in the words of a song “the people can’t eat press releases”.
There are two very clear areas where MT can and should act:
1) Stop the AK wielding deputy commissioner of police bullying and land invading in Chiredzi
2) Fire Zimondi, head of prison services
If he can’t, then his ability to influence is deeply questionable.
Wednesday, April 8th 2009 at 12:50 pm
the political solution having been borrowed from Kenya it is necessary to look at the Kenyan Sceario now, its success may not be a panacea to myriads of problems Zimbabweans are experiencing and will experience! At same time time will reveal its weaknesses!