MDC-T too weak, too irrelevant for GNU2

Pride Mkono
Over the past weeks, media have been awash with headlines and editorials on calls by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai for a second Government of National Unity (GNU) to address the current challenges facing the nation. While it may be acknowledged that the GNU was a critical intervention in Zimbabwean politics, Tsvangirai’s call must be interrogated for what it means, especially in light of the political infighting and organisational weaknesses in MDC-T.

Is the MDC able to participate meaningfully in Government given its internal problems? Will Zanu-PF agree to form another GNU with MDC-T?

On July 31 2013 Zanu-PF and President Mugabe won a clear mandate on the back of strong policies anchored on indigenisation and economic empowerment, which MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti recently acknowledged during a presentation at SAPES Trust in Harare on the future of opposition politics.

Biti submitted that the electorate was won by the simplicity and clarity of the “bhora mughedi/ibhola egedini” slogan.

The results of the election left the MDC faced with a deepening ideological crisis and unresolved political questions hovering over its head like the sword of Damocles.

Indeed, the MDC elites who had become accustomed to the GNU feeding trough and are now crudely cut off are inconsolably bitter and the natural instinct is to blame each other for the devastating electoral defeat.

This explains why there is such jostling by those in the leadership to position themselves in the party while calling for a second GNU.
It further explains the so-called defections from the MDC led by Professor Ncube to the MDC-T and the return of people like Job Sikhala.

Their hope hinges on the dream of a second GNU; a  bite of the cherry particularly for those who missed out the cream and juice of the GNU. It is therefore very clear that calls for a GNU are being driven by personal interests.

The letter authored by MDC parliamentarians requesting for top of the range vehicles and huge allowances for attending parliamentary business makes this point very clear. The real motive for a GNU becomes bare – and should be dismissed on that basis: it is a call to personal aggrandisement and has nothing to do with resolving the challenges confronting our country.

Even if we were to give the MDC-T leader the benefit of doubt as to the motive for calling for a second GNU, the fundamental question that comes up is what made the first GNU fail?

The MDC-T leader is on record describing the GNU as “an unworkable arrangement”.
So what has changed now in a party he accused of insincerity?

Surely, a party that is engulfed in storms of violence, endless suspensions, where plotting is rife and where genuine democratic debate has been thrown overboard, cannot bring progress to Government.

Such a party will be characterised by everyday dismissals and reappointment of ministers depending on which faction one is deemed to belong at each given time. For a Government to be stable and progressive, there must be a measure of consistency and a common vision on the part of those involved.

Finally, Zanu-PF has no interest in another GNU.

In fact, judging by their current legislative realignment programme which encompasses key official appointments such as the Prosecutor-General and the Judiciary Service Commission and the crafting of an economic blueprint based on Zanu-PF nationalist ideology, the party is on a roll.

The party is clear that they are in charge and will not share their mandate.

The real alternative to Zanu-PF is not through neo-liberal constructions such as the MDC-T is pushing for but a pro-poor and socialist alternative. An alternative rooted in empowering the peasants, the small-scale farmers, urban traders, students, women and youths to actively participate in the economy.

The way forward is immediate PDL-linked wages for civil servants, stopping the destruction of houses, stopping harassment of the informal sector traders, pursuing the right to education and health for all, calling for a national public health scheme to replace PSMAS, stopping the planned neo-liberal reforms of labour laws and jailing of all corrupt ministers and parastatal bosses and the seizure and forfeiture of their properties.

That is the alternative and it calls for real men and, unfortunately for Tsvangirai, the stage is too vast.
His call for a second GNU is offside and amounts to a little more than the meows of a hungry cat.

Pride Mkono is a social and environmental activist and former president of Zimbabwe National Students Union.