A FAILED PROMISE: THE TALE OF ZANU PF’S REIGN
In the labyrinth of political turmoil that grips nations, the narrative of Zimbabwe’s 2018 elections unfurls a tale so entangled in controversy and disillusionment, it casts a long shadow on the facade of democracy. The elections, a pivotal moment for a nation yearning for change, turned into a stage for a well-orchestrated operation by the ruling ZANU PF party, which, in its thirst for power, manipulated various state institutions. These institutions, ostensibly guardians of the people’s will, morphed into partisan actors, complicit in the usurpation of the democratic process. The result was a coup not of guns and soldiers, but of coerced governance, robbing the people of their rightful government.
The promises made by ZANU PF prior to the elections were grandiose and plentiful, akin to a leopard claiming it would shed its spots for wool. These promises ranged from the creation of millions of jobs to illuminating the country with electricity, reaching even the most remote rural areas. Yet, these pledges, made with the assurance of a party convinced of its own rhetoric, remained unfulfilled, revealing the true nature of the beast.
As the election season unfolded, the stark reality on the ground could not be masked by the partisan state media, which, despite its dwindling resources and underpaid rank and file, churned out propaganda to sanitize the government’s failures. The populace, informed yet helpless, watched as none of the grand promises materialized. The jobs never came, and the darkness of night remained unchallenged by electricity in many rural areas, where fear of the tyrannical regime was the only constant.
With nothing to show for their tenure and an election on the horizon, ZANU PF, ever resourceful in its quest to maintain power, turned to violence. This was not a new tactic but one deeply ingrained in the party’s DNA. Violence became a tool, not just of suppression, but of distraction from the glaring absence of progress and development. It was a means to an end, ensuring the preservation of power at all costs, even as the nation plunged deeper into despair.
This cycle of promises, failure, and violence is not just the story of an election but the chronic ailment of a nation under ZANU PF’s rule. For four decades, the party has clung to power, enriching itself while the populace suffers. Any notion that it might act in the public interest is swiftly dispelled by its consistent hostility towards development and change. The party’s legacy is not one of liberation or progress, but of oppression, plunder, and stagnation.
As Zimbabwe stands at another crossroads, the lessons of the past elections loom large. The tragedy of ZANU PF is not just in its broken promises or its reliance on violence but in its complete detachment from the needs and aspirations of the people it claims to serve. The nation, rich in potential, remains shackled by the self-serving interests of a ruling elite determined to hold onto power at any cost.
In this tale of failed governance, the people of Zimbabwe are left yearning for genuine change, a break from the cycle of promises and disillusionment. Yet, hope persists, fueled by the desire for a future where governance is not a means to an end, but an end in itself, serving the people with dignity, respect, and progress. The tale of ZANU PF’s reign is a cautionary one, a reminder that the power derived from coercion and deceit is both fragile and fleeting.
The economic devastation that has become synonymous with Zimbabwe’s contemporary history is a direct result of misgovernance and corruption. The failure to deliver on jobs, infrastructure, and basic services not only betrays the promises of the liberation struggle but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and dependence that undermines the country’s potential.
Despite the bleak picture painted by the ruling party’s actions, the narrative also speaks to the resilience and enduring hope of the Zimbabwean people. Their continued engagement, whether in voting despite fears of manipulation or in expressing dissent against overwhelming odds, underscores a deep-seated desire for genuine democratic governance.
The 2018 elections, marred by allegations of manipulation and coercion, underscore the illusion of democracy under autocratic regimes. Such elections serve more as a ritual to legitimize power rather than a genuine exercise of the people’s will, casting a long shadow over the notion of free and fair elections in countries where the ruling party has entrenched itself deeply within the state’s institutions.