adminJohn Sigauke
A few weeks ago, I met one of my former classmates in Chivhu on his way from Beitbridge to collect his new car. He was wearing the revolutionary party’s beret despite the hot temperatures on this particular day.I asked him why he was dressed in such a manner on a hot day to which he boastfully said in colloquial “ndokuti zvityise.” He went on to explain that with the revolutionary party’s regalia, nobody, including the law enforcement agents would dare stop and trouble you in the road. In this case, his new acquisition had no temporary plates as per new ZIMRA requirements. Indeed, he testified that he was not stopped a bit on the highway.
I then realised that something is extremely wrong somewhere. I discovered that many cadres abuse the name of the revolutionary party for their selfish benefits. Some have gone to an extent of abusing the names of President Robert Mugabe and that of the First Lady. I remember at one time, some two years ago, the President had to warn people against using his name. Even some former commercial farmers were going back to the farms equipped with letters purportedly blessed by President Mugabe.
There are illegal settlements dotted around the capital city that are cunningly named after the First Family to betray suspicion from prospective home seekers. Quite a number of home seekers have been duped by the cooperatives whose leadership mainly consists of party cadres.
The recent arrest of the Harare youths boss, Godwin Gomwe over allegations of extortion, should be an eye opener to Zanu-PF elders, particularly Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, the Commissariat Secretary. Sanity must prevail in the youth league especially in Harare Province. There is a culture of abusing the name of the party in Harare. That disturbing culture has been running through all the successive chairpersons.
To some extent, they have grown big heads to an extent of defying instructions from the supreme leadership. That rot must stop Cde Saviour. You were once in that league and the way you and your colleagues conducted yourselves lured many to join the revolutionary party. That status must be restored.
It all started with Jimu Kunaka who became infamous for his criminal activities that included extorting money from the bus operators in Harare. Now it is Gomwe who has come up with a new form of extortion. Whatever is done by these young men, more so those who hold such important office will impacts negatively on the revolutionary party. The ultimate sufferer in this case is the revolutionary party. People will always associate Gomwe and whatever he does with Zanu-PF. It is therefore important for party cadres especially the youths, to be good ambassadors of the party. Ambassadors represent President Mugabe, so they must represent him honestly. They must exhibit the character of the African icon.
For how long will the leaders watch while criminals drag the name of the revolutionary party in the mud? Zanu-PF is a disciplined party with equally disciplined national leaders. Our youths must emulate their elders especially President Mugabe. For his entire life, he was only arrested for political reasons. His only crime was his quest to liberate you and me.
The youths want to get rich quick without sweating for it. If President Mugabe had that mentality of abusing public office, he could be a multi billionaire by now.
The late Cde Nathan Shamuyarira among other living and fallen heroes, provides a perfect examples of a servant leader. He died living a simple life despite spending many years at the helm of a number of ministries.
Criminals must face the wrath of the law despite their social or political status. Zanu-PF must not include in its midst, people who have criminal records that taint its good name. Now that these young people have already shown their corrupt tendencies, it would be even worse if they were entrusted with bigger responsibilities. Such criminal records must be kept, lest we promote criminals tomorrow into ministerial and other strategic posts.
Online Reporter