THIS week, Nick Mangwana, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, announced that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had welcomed back opposition supporters who defected to the ruling Zanu PF party at State House.
The returnees were led by former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national executive committee member Dzikamai Mavhaire, a former cabinet minister expelled from Zanu PF in 2013.
While we acknowledge Zanu PF’s right to welcome opposition supporters, we condemn the President’s decision to do so at State House. This blurs the line between party and state, undermining democracy.
The State House is a government institution, not a party venue.
As the head of state and government, Mnangagwa should lead by example and separate party and state affairs. This conflation has eroded respect for national symbols like the Heroes Day, Defence Forces Day and Independence Day holidays, now seen as Zanu PF events rather than national celebrations.
The majority of Zimbabweans resent state controlled institutions like the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and Grain Marketing Board, further dividing the nation. As the Bible states, “a divided kingdom shall not stand”. Zimbabwe will not prosper unless united.
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We urge Zanu PF and its leader to focus on unity and addressing pressing issues. Zimbabwe held elections in August last year, giving Mnangagwa a mandate until 2028. Yet, the party remains in campaign mode instead of tackling the imploding economy.
Zimbabwe faces a crippling inflation, depreciating currency, a volatile exchange rate and worsening power cuts.
These issues demand action and sound policies, not parading defected opposition supporters at State House.
People are suffering and need solutions, not politicking.
We call upon Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to respect state institutions, allowing them to remain independent for the country’s prosperity.
The conversion of Zimbabwe into a party-nation will have devastating consequences for its democracy and state institutions.
As stated above, by using State House for party events, Mnangagwa risks blurring the lines between party and state, undermining the very foundations of Zimbabwe’s democracy.
It is crucial for Mnangagwa, as a “listening” President, to recognise the dangers of party and state conflation and take corrective action.
By preserving the integrity of the State House and maintaining a clear distinction between party and state, he can safeguard Zimbabwe’s democracy and ensure that state institutions serve the nation, not just the ruling party.
Ultimately, Zimbabwe’s prosperity depends on its ability to maintain a healthy democracy, where institutions are strong and the rule of law prevails. The international community has witnessed the consequences of democratic erosion in other nations and has sounded the alarm.
It is time for Zimbabwe’s leaders to heed this warning and prioritise the nation’s democratic well-being. This teapot nation is for all Zimbabweans, not Zanu PF members only.