Zanu rolls out Kariba Draft strategy

By KING SHANGO

Published on: 22nd September, 2009

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ZIMBABWE – HARARE – The utterances by President Mugabe at the 5th Zanu-PF Youth Congress that the Kariba Draft is the only acceptable guiding document in the constitution-making process is now cascading down to the grassroots, with the party’s thugs gearing up to ensure Mugabe’s wishes are followed..

Kudzanai Mutarangi, a Mabelreign based activist has been assaulted by Zanu-PF militia for putting on a Crisis Coalition ”Say no to Kariba Draft” T-shirt at Greencroft shopping centre on Saturday at around 9pm.

His T-shit was torn and he was forced to wear a green Zanu-PF T-shirt written: ‘youths in defence of national sovereignty and economic empowerment.’

This act was carried out by thugs who dropped from a white Nissan hardbody truck labelled Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central who accused Kudzanai of supporting a regime change agenda.

In Mberengwa it has also been reported that bases have been established where all night vigils are being hosted to ‘conscentise’ people about Kariba Draft as the sole document to be used as reference in constitution making. This has since spread to other areas which include Wedza and Shamva.

In Mutoko the scenario is even worse as people are told that the Global Political Agreement is only relevant to Harare and it does not apply in their area.The same is also prevailing in Uzumba and Marambapfungwe, the traditional Zanu-PF strongholds.

In Mt Darwin, Youth minister Saviour Kasukuwere told people at a rally that “we united with MDC for the sole purpose of persuading them to remove sanctions which they brought.” He reiterated that they are still enemies, and no-one should listen to them. This allows Zanu-PF to determine the pace and outcome on the constitution making process in such areas.

The state media is also openly campaigning for the Kariba Draft. The ZTV programmes Media Watch, Melting Pot and Newshour are dominated by Zanu-PF apologists who include Dr Maxwell Hove, Tafataona Mahoso and Chris Mutsvangwa, all in defence of the Kariba Draft as the only “reputable” reference.

The print media is also carrying out the same task. This allows manipulation of the generality of Zimbabweans by individuals who are protecting their power. Given the fact that the stated form of media has the widest coverage it greatly influences the outcome of the process.

Another strategy which has been made use of by the former ruling party is to put MDC leadership in defensive positions so that they can be preoccupied by defending themselves at the expense of critical issues like the constitution making process.

The persistent attacks on Prime-Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Finance minister Tendai Biti, who are also at the helm of MDC party is deliberately and strategically orchestrated to divert their attention from real issues.