Clive Thabo Dube
IN the wake of chronic political instability, one of the country’s oldest political parties has re emerged from the slumbers carried by the legacy of its founder with the aim of renewing its political clout and revive the ailing economy back to golden days.
During election season, Zimbabwe’s economic crisis worsens accompanied by a long and troubled history of bloody, and violent scenes.
On a daily basis while Zimbabweans are losing hope, respect and trust in the current ZANU-PF government which still strongly holds the shackles of power, a son of a former Prime Minister has made it his mission to walk in his late father’s shoes to try and tussle the suffocating power from the incumbent so as to land himself the top seat in the land .
In a bid to dethrone ZANU-PF at this year’s plebiscite.
Reverend Dr. Gwinyai Muzorewa, son to the late Zimbabwe-Rhodesia (then transitional government) Prime Minister Bishop Abel Muzorewa has said his party The United African National Council (UANC) is the sole alternative to bring back the Southern African country’s glorious years and stable economy.
Addressing the media at the party’s campaign launch in Bulawayo, Dr. Muzorewa said due to abuse of human rights and corruption, bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the Western world have been strained under the current ruling party resulting in the country falling victim to the United States of America and her Allies placing sanctions on Zimbabwe.
According to The UANC president, ZANU-PF top officials hatched a conspiracy theory of Sanctions for its failure and its high time the citizenry removed the current government with its sanctions.
” IF there are sanctions, the moment the western world hears that Murozewa is the new president, we have a meeting that very week and discuss to say ‘your reason for sanctions is gone with those (Zanu pf) who have lost…I”l drive down there (Washington DC) to President Joe Biden and say the reason you imposed sanctions, if there are sanctions in Zimbabwe is gone because those people have lost.” He said.
Presidents are products of their political parties and The UANC once touched the hearts and minds of the international community by fighting colonial rule through non-violent means. Albeit falling out in favor back home.
In 1979, the late Rev. Abel Muzorewa was selected to be the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe- Rhodesia (transition government) after striking out an agreement with the Ian Smith regime.
The other two nationalist movements of that time ZAPU under the late Father Zimbabwe Dr. Joshua Nkomo and ZANU led by the late former President Robert Mugabe were not pleased by the turn of events. The two boycotted the settlement meeting, labeling Muzorewa a traitor, puppet and a sell out.
The late Methodist bishop, however believed he was the first to bring black rule in Zimbabwe.
The attempt however failed, leading to his resignation in the same year and the penning of the Lancaster House agreement which resulted in the 1980 elections.
The first African Methodist leader fell short in the elections which gave birth to the Mugabe regime.
Now Rev. Gwinyai Muzorewa has picked up from where his father left off, fighting ZANU-PF’s Second Republic which he sees as a failed new dawn under sanctions. Hence the need to bring in new leadership for the country to prosper and start on a new slate under unsanctioned leaders.
Riding on the Murozewa flagship, the current UANC president believes top government officials are the one’s under sanctions and not Zimbabwe as a country.
“Sanctions are imposed on certain individuals who are known to be so corrupt to the extend that the Western’s said ‘we do not want you in our country, we do not buy your stuff’. Sanctions are imposed on certain individuals or companies. Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, it’s only 5% who own most of the manufacturing companies. Sanctions is a very funny story because the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor (Dr. John Mangudya) says there are no sanctions. But then when they want to campaign they say we cannot do one, two, three because there are sanctions. Its being used as some kind of a trick.
“When l get elected, all those who have been sanctioned will be gone with their behavior and there’s need of a clean slate. Zimbabwe is punishing itself by staying under the leadership which is the cause of Sanctions. Zimbabweans should now choose leadership which has a reputable record.”
More than half the population lives under the poverty datum line, and many people rely on vending to fend for their families. The United States based Churchman and politician has promised employment through opening up industries, better working conditions with better pay for civil services.
Muzorewa will contest against other 10 presidential candidates in the ‘two horse’ race between Emmerson Mnangwagwa of ZANU PF and Nelson Chamisa of CCC. Other presidential candidates are viewed as poll detractors.