Ongoing Demolitions. An Ethical Test Failure for Zim Local Government

 

By Lloyd Takawira 

Watching hopelessly as their source of livelihoods are being destroyed ,  one could not resist to drop some tears . Urbanites have endured endless torrid times from authorities who should be protecting them . However, for many Zimbabwean urbanites its suffer continue.

With an economy that was run down by decades of mismanagement, many Zimbabweans have been pushed to the informal economy as they try to ace a living from vending.

Local government, in a democratic state, is expected to be responsive to the needs of the people.  Since the local government is the primary delivery arm of a democratic state, it should provide effective and efficient local government service to the people, however for Zimbabwe, the case has been different. Personal self-interest have been subordinate to the public good in all circumstances.

The recent demolitions have exposed the rot in our local government system if not national. It must be noted that, high ethical values affect the performance of every organization. The question now is do we have ethical leaders both elected and appointed in Zimbabwe at every level of leadership. Do they even know the ethical values that they must uphold as public servants? The components (ethics and values) shape an individual’s character, as well as that of their organization (Omisore & Adeleke, 2015). However not for elites in Zimbabwe.

One is made to ask. Do these people have a reputation, do they even care for the next person, do they know that the  success of governance depends upon the conduct of themselves as public functionaries and what the public perceive about their conducts. I wonder what Mr Tafadzwa Muguti is thinking seeing so many people crying while their livelihoods have be destroyed.

Do these so called shefus of this world know that , as local government leaders they have an indispensable role to play in exacting ethical principles. In our case , the  absence of public minded leaders whose energies are not harnessed to organisational purposes is affecting the  quality of  local government service delivery (Dorasamy, 2010).  We have people who have sworn that as long as they live, there is stealing from the public coffers at whatever cost. We have people whose hearts have hardened to hard rock state because they are at the eating table.

It should be written in bold and caps that, leaders at local government level in Zimbabwe have failed the ethical test. One cannot allocate land for someone to operate , make that person pay for the space , all of a sudden disregard that , comes back to destroy the person livelihood . Even in the face of a court order in the case of Chitungwiza it could not stop demolitions to happen.

The ongoing demolition calls that for this country to self-introspect to say we need leaders who are willing to pass the ethical test and that ethical values have to be upheld by the leadership of local government, who have to create an organizational culture that directs a local government service institution to achieve its purpose.

For now , it’s the residents , civil society organizations and all interested parties that must come together to demand that :

1)Local government employees adopt an approach that can influence others to direct their actions toward the attainment of a clearly understood and well communicated ethical purpose. This shared vision and pursuit of ethical standards therefore, results in ethical behaviour guided by purpose- directed employees at the local government level.

2) Ethically-oriented local government that is not underpinned by a lack of established ethical behaviour because Unethical behaviour has a negative impact on effective and efficient local service delivery.

 Continued pooh pooing in our governance issues through unethical practices will continue to negatively affect the performance of these councils which have become bastardised entities   (Adegoroye, 2010). It is imperative that all local government functionaries upon accepting government employment recognize that they have a special duty to be open, fair and impartial in their dealings with society. (Yahya, 2006).  

For now it’s a clarion call for public servants especially those manning our councils to view ethics as choices requiring them to make decisions enabling them to lead an ethical life within the context of their relationships with others in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Cllrs Yes .Civil Servants & Chiefs No

By Lloyd Takawira 

There is a storm once again inthe land of multiple storms . A week rarely passes without controversy . Should we be called a land of controversy . 

Cdes and friends this time , the gatekeepers. The Cdes of entitlement (the stockholders of this country) (the more patriotic ones than others ) as they allege , are reportedly moving to force senior public sector workers such as senior council management , councillors and chiefs  to the famous Chitepo School of Ideology . Yes Cdes and friends , the one brother Tsenaz refused to attend gore riya ..... Brother Tsenaz said iwo ndiwo wangatonodzidzisa wanhu ikoko . 

Well because we are in the land of controversies . The issue of party state conflation has been a  one burning one . It has always been burning . 

Party state conflation . 

Zvinomboreiko ??? 

Party-State conflation are  acts or  misdeeds against the constitution  by  governing political parties of  "confusing"  the party and government as seperate entities 

The most important word is "confusing" . Here we are talking of intentional confusion . Kutoita souri rema zvako , asi uchitoita , uchitotyora mutemo seusingazive seusina hanya . Here I'm talking of wedu "Musangano wechibhakera" 

So the controversy is ??? 

Should a councillor attend his or her party school of ideology , the answer is an Unequivocal YES 

Should a council CEO , management ,  attend party ideological schools . The answer is a BIG No because  the Constitution of Zimbabwe clearly prohibits civil servants and senior employees of councils from being partisan. 

Should a chief , headman , village head be forced to attend a party school ideology . The answer is Big NO .Because  the law and basic principles of corporate governance require Civil servants  to be impartial, professional and focused  not the pursuit of toxic politics in the execution of their duties.

Party State Conflation of State is  the main reasons why this country has been hamstrung in the doldrums of poor service delivery , selective application of the law , toxic institutions which by operation of the country's supreme laws are supposed to operate independent . 

Over the years we have witnessed chiefs virtually becaming political commissar's of a political party contrary to what the Constitution stipulate . 

Until we have people who believe in the sancrosactness of the law and willing to abide by it's tenants in toto , Zimbabwe is going to continue sliding into the dustibins of shamelessness . 

How do we capture and ingrain our ideology into the hearts of many Zimbabweans ,  the question Zanu PF should be asking itself . Without force marching institutions which must be independent .

The answer is very simple . Be true to the values of liberation struggle . Development not Corruption , Empowerment not looting . Plurality not Conflation and capture . The list goes on on and on . #TheZimbabweWeWant 

#ZimbabweArise 

#ZimbabweFirst 

Extractive Policies In The Face of Covid-19. What’s For the Poor In 2021? By Lloyd Takawira

 Zimbabwe has endured a whooping umpty two decades of economic and political instability. Without a figment of imagining otherwise 2021 is promising to be more feverish coming from a hectic humpty-dumpty 2020 owing to the coronavirus induced shocks. While the government through its mouth piece, the ministry of Information, enablers, paid trolls (varakashi) tried   on several occasions to firefight by downplaying the Zimbabwe crises, no amount of fickle or deceptive speech can hoodwink the world that Zimbabwe has been in the doldrums for a long time owing to the “extractive” policies of the government. 

Zimbabwe has experienced several unprecedented economic, environmental and political shocks and stresses that have dented any hope as the political future remains uncertain and the country faces severe democratic deficits. The increasing level of muzzling of the democratic space through violating human rights, manipulating state institutions and suppressing dissenting voices has been one of the biggest undoing of the much touted second republic.

 The cancerous corruption scourge has remained endemic even to the extent of some in high offices stealing covid-19 funds at a critical juncture like this. More deplorable and shocking is that despite overwhelming evidence of pilferage of covid-19 funds, the  pilfers are walking scot-free while government critics such as Allan Moyo are languishing in prison.  While civil society space for policy dialogue has increased in recent years, the challenge remain with government insincerity and lack of trust on independent actors such as NGOs and other non-state actors thus we have seen even front line workers such as doctors subjected to obscenities and tastelessness of being labelled  “medical assassins”. 

The stinging stunting effects of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) have grounded economies and is threatening to obliterate any hope of recovery especially with a government that is clueless on the way forward. To date hundreds have perished because of the coronavirus pandemic disease. However, there seems to nothing tangible from the government side to address the multiple quagmires effacing the nation. Some analysts are arguing that talk of a vaccine by the government are a sheer  figment of imagination , however it remains to be seen how the government is going to address the contentious issue of procuring vaccines . 

 The continued lockdown induced effects are already chewing up the most vulnerable in communities thus exacerbating the effects of poverty, food insecurity in Zimbabwe which have been resident for some time.  This situation has been exacerbated by changes in climate patterns, over both the short and longer terms. The current coronavirus crisis has caused a severe shocks especially to the urbanites such that million are in need of assistance.

Borrowing from scholars, Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson's, in the face of calamities what separates nations depends above all on the inclusiveness of economic and political institutions. In the case of Zimbabwe our biggest undoing has been "extractive" institutions as opposed to “inclusive" institutions in which many people have a say in political decision-making, as opposed to cases where a small group of people control political institutions and are unwilling to change and at least consult the people.

In the face of multiple predicaments, those in high offices have chosen to follow the destructive path of building “extractive" institutions the ones that permit them (elite) to rule over the poor without consulting the vulnerable. For example the continued shutdown measures which affects the most vulnerable are only announced short of due consideration of what will happen to the poor. 

We are where we are because of the incompetence, carefree approach to problems by our Government. Without beating by the bush political expediency, and insensitivity to the plight of the poor and sheer intransigence on the part of those who run this country has been our biggest undoing as a country. 

It is the hope of every suffering Zimbabwean that policies are inclusive and are considerate of the multiple shocks that have befallen people for some time, “THINK OF THE POOR” 

Platform for players

* 16-02-2020 Dialogue rantings attributed to ZANU PF Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu in one of the local tabloids clearly exposes ZANU PF's ego-centric and bullish attitude towards the very same political opponents they intend to dialogue with. Mpofu's bullish Polad ultimatum to the MDC Alliance only helps to raise alarm on what to expect from any dialogue with ZANU PF. Platform and players remain key ingredients to any meaningful dialogue. To his credit, President Nelson Chamisa has always reiterated that POLAD is a poisoned chalice hence it can never be an ideal platform for any meaningful dialogue. That all players currently involved in POLAD agrees to everything Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF further pulverizes the platform thereby rendering it a monologue. If the calls for dialogue are genuine, then it is only logical that those who disagree dialogue and clearly there is no need for various versions of ZANU PF at the same table. Why wasting time dialoguing with various but same versions of ZANU PF when the same results can be achieved by dialoguing with one led by Mnangagwa himself. Alternatively, why would Mnangagwa's ZANU PF want to dialogue with some black market opposition when it is clear even from the 2018 ZEC cooked results that it is Advocate Nelson Chamisa's MDC Alliance that warrants any form of dialogue if the country is to move forward. ZANU PF's insistence on a platform, POLAD which they created raises alarm on the dangers that lies ahead if ever MDC Alliance joins such dead end platform. Joining POLAD is akin to having a wrestling contest with a crocodile in water, its familiar surroundings. Who in their right senses can accede to such a political suicide? It is also important to track the background that led to the current situation which has led many a people to call for dialogue. It is a public secret that our problems emanate from a 2018 disputed political contest that gave birth to the legitimacy question. At the centre of that contestation is Emmerson Mnangagwa who subverted the will of the people by having an adulterous affair with the military through the gun on 01 August 2018. On the other hand is a People's President, Advocate Nelson Chamisa who has a social contract with the people to lead. The components determine the solution we obtain! We can not expect any meaningful results from a 'dialogue' between Mnangagwa and his puppets. Anything else without Nelson Chamisa is like expecting flies in their various forms to produce honey. #OneMillionCampaign #YouthVoices4Change *Stephen Sarkozy Chuma* _MDC Alliance Youth Assembly  Spokesperson_

The predicament of a rural farmer .

By Lloyd Takawira 

At first glance this towering , conical peak Dorotoma mountain may remind you of the famous mountain in the mould of Kilimanjalo , or the famous Japanese mountains .

South of Dorotoma is a resettlement area which the Chigwede's have been residing for decades . 

Its that time again , a rapturous thunder bolted acampanied by a zigzagged lighting signaling the rain season has just arrived. 

The Waruma village just like many communities around the country have no cattle due to the ravaging foot and mouth disease which abliterated heards. 

All the years , the Waruma community prided themselves as the best farmers . However , this time its a going to be a hectic farming season. 

While they have been educated by the local Agritex officer , who has been helping them on the Pfumvudza program , the community has not shown interest in the concept arguing that , the program is archaic , old fashioned and labor intense .

For headman Chigwede Waruma , life hasn't been rossey as his remaing two donkeys were taken away by the Dutavanhu family after his son Charles Chigwede Waruma jrn impregnanted one of the Dutavanhu's daughter . 

As respected people in the community , they have to brew some beer and call the neighbors who have cattle to come and help them plough . 

Here is the predicament . The whole village is bearing the same brunt .Mombe dzakafa nechirwere .

" We are in a fix my son ," says Muzeza Chigwede Waruma snr with watery eyes . 

The two are seated underneath a big muhacha tree which is some few meters away from their yard .

"yanaya ka baba , tichadii*The rain season is upon us father , what are we going to do" the young Chigwede Waruma said in a low tone voice while chewing african bubble gum (dohwe).

Chigwede srn is mending his 1978 Ox plough which he bought in colonial Ankledon now Chivhu where he was a farm worker .

Chigwede senior , in a dejected voice replied, " my son l have never seen this in my entire life . We discussed this issue with your mother . I was thinking we can brew some beer and call our neighbors to help us . The problem as you know its only Bhalubha and Mutsvakabeva who have cattle . The rest are like us " 

As they are discussing their predicament , Titus a longtime friend to the Waruma arrives . 

" The heavens have smiled on us simboti , " said Titus with an exuberant voice 

He continued , "l knew with the heatwave that , heavy downpours are nearer" said Titus as he rests his buttocks on a fiber stool 

" My friend , we are happy that the heavens have opened on us . However , we are in a fix . All our cattles gone . When l remember of busvumani aaa l cry at times " said Titus as he sniffles .

The story , of the Waruma community is heartbreaking . It represent the predicament that many rural communities are grappling with . 

Most rural communities rely on draught power . However because of the cattle diseases that swept across the country most communities were left without even single cattle . 

While the government has been singing the Pfumvudza hymm . Research has shown that most people objected against , arguing the program is labor intense . 

For some , the rains have been a blessing in disguise while for some , its a catch 22 situation .

Beer Talk With Lloyd Takawira : The story of Njube Zeze

The weather was magnificent . A clear blue sunny day , with sharply etched white clouds in the sky . The perfect Zimbabwean summer . And so hot in that early morning . The heat made everything slow and sensual . And it was totally un- Hararian , as the sun scotchingly stamped its presence for the day .

On my way to the capital city Harare from my hood St Mary's, aboard a Zupco bound Trip Trans bus popular with its inscription  "Senior Actor"  above the bumper and the driver popular with passagers as "bus ra gunners solder" . 

As the bus whizzed lacadezically to town , the heat felt delicious  .

Opposite my seat sat a demunitive youngman fit as a fiddle . His head is bandaged , to which l suspect he might have been involved in accident . However ,as l relooked at him . He was a familiar face . I suddenly flicked my mind back .This is Zeze mumwe wevakomana . He is thief and probably lucky run out a few days ago and was beaten , l thought to myself.

"Eee makuruwani " , he said nodding at me in a clear sign that familiar faces have met . As usual l nodded back with a smile that l have been greated with respect from the boys in town  as he was familiar , however not for the good things.

If you want cheaper gadgets , and electricals , get in touch with Zeze , ndovakomana pataundi , as they  say it  in our dirty dusty ghetto streets .

This is Zeze l knew him from the hood , some popularly call him Njube , some Zeze and some call him Sundowns for his love of  South Africa's biggest football giant Memolady Sundowns. Moreso he usually wear the  famous  Sundowns yellow Jersey or the black and white striped Highlanders jersey .

Knowing him and his errands , l quickly blinked out  from the hands of maphus and alerted myself .

Watching him  trickingly with a sideview , Njube swang one leg easily over the other .He was holding a bobbed grey bottle drink which he sipped . "Makuruwani , take a sip " , he said handing the bottle drink to me . l profusely refused . " Thanks mukoma , its still early , toswera ta lock tikatadza kushanda " l said handing him back the bottle drink .

 Seating on the same seat to Njube are two middle aged young woman , beautiful , class and elegant .

 By my side is a fine woman , tall thin , blond , blue-eyed , with high cheek-bones .She whispered to me . " Do you know this guy in blue worksuit " l nodded in agreement. 

Just like the famous evesdropper  Mbuya Chekuche from my rural Buhera  she whispered again , " atora phone ya that lady ari paside pake " . Passively ,  l replied to her , " just pretend as if you have not seen it imbavha idzi unobaiwa nebanga ukataura" l said to  the lady whom from her expression , looked not happy and contend with how l had brushed aside her story.

As the bus reached the famous  road block from Chitungwiza , "Delpot Boarder Post" ,  nicknamed from the strickness and thorough scrutiny of  travel documents by security details manning the road block .

One of the ladies who was sharing the seat with Zeze , whom l discovered at that instance was a solder , was the first to stand up as she walk towards the door with rest of us going out for routine documentation check . 

" phone yangu , aaa handisikuona phone yangu ," she said to her colleague in a  high-toned voice . 

Suddenly commotion ensued in the bus . The bus driver, who also happened to be a solder , jumped from his driver's seat and said ," munhu wese kana phone isina kubuda mucharowa zvekuti hamusati mamboona . Everyone out of the bus , leave all your bags and purses inside , outside lie down all of you ." he said .

As we made our way out of the bus , a gigantic dark skinned solder  in a red barret spliffing his cigger , who happen to be part of the security details who were manning the Delpot road block said , " mukanyatsorohwa munoburitsa phone . You steal phone yemu solder " he said with a frightening hished voice.

Suddenly l knew that the beautiful young ladies and many of the passagers were actually security details . As we made our way out , Njube the class thief in front us did the unthinkable .

Infront of Njube was a tall thin fine looking gentleman well built in his 

late thirties l presume , who was donning a blue worksuit inscribed , "Delta". 

My seatmate , who had earlier told me about the phone whispered again to me for l had not seen anything , " your guy akanda phone mu side pocket ye that guy infront of him , did you notice ". 

 Shivering and preponderating on the impending thorough beating from the angry security details,   l could not utter back a word,  as we made our way out .

For  the class Njube , two young girls had been watching him . He  giggled and wrinkled his eyes ostensibly to silence the two beauties .Outside the bus , the security details searched everyone .

 Life is incredibly unfair at times . The guy whom Zeze classically flinged the mobile phone was beaten and punished . As he was made to roll up and down . One of the two ladies who  had seen how Zeze had trickly passed the phone unknowingly to the guy whom the phone was found with , stood up . 

"Officer , im sorry , the guy you are beating is innocent . As you ordered us out of the bus a certain guy trickly dropped this phone in his pocket". Suddenly it became clear that a sizeable number of passengers have seen how the classy Njube had classically done his job. 

"Ndeupi munhu wacho , " ordered the angry looking female solder whose phone had been stolen .As  the girl looked around to point Zeze . The classical Njube had DISAPPEARED .

Lloyd Takawira is Freelance Writer, Blogger, Research Consultant . He can be contacted on +263771923115 / tllyoyd@gmail.com 

Are We Drifting Towards One Party State

By Lloyd Takawira

The year 2020 has been more problematic in the history of Zimbabwe with widespread reports of systematic and escalating violations of human rights in Zimbabwe under the regime of President Emmarson Mnangagwa and his rulling , ZANU-PF party .

Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and plethora of international governments have voiced their concerns against the government of Zimbabwe which has become increasingly authoritarian under the cover of lockdown measures .

Rule By Statutes

The rule by statutes has seen violation on freedom of movement and residence, freedom of assembly and the protection of the law being constricted and trembled upon by the government.

For the past six months , there has been an onslaught on the media with journalists being wantonly beaten, arrested and detained on flimsy charges .The opposition, civil society activists, and human rights defenders have also been under siege .

Exstingishing Opposition

There is no doubt that , the government is moving towards disemboweling the opposition .

The visible government hand in the ongoing factional infighting pitting the various Movement for Democratic Change formations is clear testimony that , the government want a free race . A race in which the alternative voice is desembered

Banning By-Elections

Under sortorial scrutiny , the purported banning of all by-elections by Vice President Constantine Chiwenga who doubles as the Minister of Health (Chiwenga) through a Statutory Instrument is a clear testimony that the regime in Harare is working towards a clear path to a defacto "one party state".

Dear reader , there is no doubt that the banning of by-elections with the rulling Zanu PF party itself clearly on the ground contacting its restructuring exercise as well as contacting its primary elections in areas to which by-elections are due is a clear testimony to show that we are fast approaching a one party state.

The government celebrations on the recall of opposition members of parliament vindicates those who argues that , those who are involved in the chopping of members of parliament enjoys messianic blessings from the rulling Zanu PF party under the guise of constitutionalism.

The legality of the minister of health banning by-elections is questionable . One legal expert wrote that , the move by Vice President Constantine Chiwenga violates the Constitution of Zimbabwe

The Unpatriotic act.

The government in its bid to cover up rights abuses said it was going to consider the principal framework of a proposed law (patriotic act) that will criminalise and impose stiff penalties for campaigning against the country through private correspondence with foreign governments and harming national interests

However , it should be argued that the determination of ones patriotism is questionable . The actions of the involving itself in corruption , externalization of millions of dollars by the rulling elites is a complete disservice to the nation .

It can be argued that the rulling Zanu PF party has always been on an unpatriotic campaign to which they are accusing others .

Dear reader , the patriotic act will amongst other draconian statutes will pile more to the draconian laws that are already on the cards which are meant to constrict opposition and declaring the country a de facto one party state.

It should be postulated that the rule by statutes has been a culculated ploy to increasingly initiate an automatic autocratic regime under the guise of mantaining law and order.

Dear reader , my take succinctly posits that , the patriotic act and constitutional amendment no2 and the banning of by-elections and among many other statutes are all leading to a defacto one party state .

There is no doubt that , our government fear alternative voices. Its penchants in having an achaic one party state project which is delectably underway will in itself be a de-campaigning route in the face of the international community.

Lloyd Takawira is a Freelance Writer , Blogger, Research Consultant. Can be contacted on +263771923115 /

tllyoyd@gmail.com