Beware of dangerous times ahead

Dr Obert Moses Mpofu

ELECTIONS are an indispensable part of democracy.

However, for some of us, it seems conducting polls can be quite a dangerous exercise that attracts the attention of our detractors, who come disguised as observers to push nefarious agendas.

What they consider acceptable are elections that result in regime change.

This interference notwithstanding, we will abide by all democratic processes as espoused by our Constitution.

ZANU PF has a rich history grounded in constitutionalism and a firm belief in the rule of law.

We will never waver from this conviction.

Democracy is perhaps the most important aspect in modern society.

Democratic processes, particularly elections and their conduct, have become a standard by which nations are judged.

But, more often than not, these polls attract attention from the usual “big brothers” and so-called leaders of the “democratic” world.

In today’s world, disinformation and misinformation have become pervasive.

This poses great danger to democracy and, especially, liberation movements.

Zimbabwe weathered this misinformation and disinformation campaign in last year’s harmonised elections, where misleading reports were generated to discredit my party’s victory.

There were even agents sent by our detractors to tamper with our electoral processes.

All this points to how a simple act of going about our democratic processes can turn into a very dangerous exercise.

The pill of a “free Africa” is still a difficult one to swallow for our detractors and this explains the constant meddling in our affairs and creation of opposition movements for regime change.

As the May 29 elections loom in South Africa, there is a lot that has been going on in our neighbouring country.

It seems elections in African countries, especially those led by liberation movements, can be dangerous as they attract the attention of detractors. As South Africa heads to the polls on May 29, they should be wary of the hidden hand of detractors.  It seems there is someone or some people who have already sown seeds of division amongst our brothers and sisters in South Africa, particularly within the ANC.

The ANC will no doubt face this threat and the party leadership must, therefore, ensure that they hold the ship firm and steady.

Detractors have already started throwing spanners in the works to discredit the ANC.

This is worrisome.

The same goes for all liberation movements that have elections in their respective countries this year — Tanzania, Namibia and Mozambique.

Fellow comrades, these are indeed dangerous times. It is only with unity of purpose that the ANC, as well as the other liberation movements, can fend off such attacks.

South Africa invoked the wrath of our detractors by hauling Israel before the International Court of Justice for genocide.

There will be a deliberate ploy to try and “punish” South Africa for this.

This will be a very challenging month for South Africa as that country heads into perhaps one of the most difficult elections in its recent history.

Of note is how former President Jacob Zuma has launched an opposition political outfit from within the ANC to challenge the party that he has known and has been a member of for the longest time.

We as Africans are fighting wars on many fronts and there is no need to fight amongst ourselves.

Unity of purpose should guide us.

Our beloved continent needs to catch up with the world.

There is need to be wary to avoid interference in the upcoming elections in the region.The people’s movements should prevail in these difficult times.

There is too much at stake.

The freedom and democracy we all now enjoy in the region came at a huge cost.

Dr Obert Moses Mpofu is an academic and the Secretary-General of ZANU PF. He writes in his own capacity.