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Abednico Bhebhe: I Haven’t Joined MDC Alliance, I’ve Been There Since 2017… | FULL TEXT
1 April 2021
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…I’ve Been There Since 2017…

Reflections on the State of the Opposition in Zimbabwe

By Hon Abednico Bhebhe.

The continued polarisation within the MDC family has long been a cause of concern to many progressive Zimbabweans. My position on this matter is beyond doubt to anyone as I have not only decried the persistent fractionalisation of the opposition, but I have mad e bald efforts in contributing to harmony and tranquillity. Of course, often misunderstood and hence misconstrued as if this is about an individual or personal interests. The state of the opposition in this country is worrying not just because some of us a re in the opposition. In fact, it is Zimbabwe’s continued political decay and economic breakdown that necessitate an urgent alternative to this politicoeconomic chaos brought by the long years of ZANU PF rule as propped by the securocrats. Only the MDC so far stands the best chance to provide that alternative and usher in a democratic and responsive government in our beloved country.

My reflections on the state of the MDC currently is an attempt to put into perspective the recent developments and their historical context. Most often readers take a panoramic view of issues and risk losing the meaning that gets clouded by conflicting narratives. Actually, nothing has changed in my position on this matter particularly for those who remember my public pronoun cements since 2017 when the MDC was plunged into this internal discord. Obviously, I shun the bait to make this matter as if it is about my person as Abednico Bhebhe. No, it is not about me but about our situation as concerned citizens and responsible lead ers. As I have said before and I reiterate here, my desire and efforts towards a united and strong opposition MDC is based on principle and common sense. It is common sense that only a united opposition can electorally dislodge the ruinous ZANU PF regime a nd usher an accountable government in its place.

This is what the suffering majority want, and I am merely articulating the aspirations of the generality of Zimbabweans as a politician. If we jog our memories backward to 5 th August 2017, I was one of the three leaders of the MDC who wrote to the party president pledging our full support of a coalition of opposition parties but we also raised reservations on the risk of centralisation of power in one person and other procedural inconsistencies that could u practices. Similarly, on 11 th ndermine democratic December 2017 (see Daily News) I stated that, “Concerning the MDC Alliance, no one within the opposition ranks does not want a coalition. We all want it.” In that same interview I posed the rhetoric question, “Are you available to the highest bidder? Does it mean if ZANU PF offers more than the MDC is prepared to give, then you will join them?”

At that time, I was neither prophetic nor even thinking it possible that some of our colleagues, not one or two, bu rejoin ZANU PF after all what it has done to this country. As a mature politician, t a horde of them would indeed I will not be tempted to say I told you so. I believe that it is my duty to engage fellow comrades genuinely and truthfully all the time. And I have always done so. In my piece, The deferred hope of the Zimbabwe we wanted , I cited George Orwell’s Animal Farm, ‘Man serves the interests of no creature except himself,’ as I
disgust on the level of depravity Zimbabwean oppositional politics had sunk to in terms of hatred, mudslinging and smear campaigns. I really implored the MDC leaders from acting like ZANU PF in employing violence, tribalism, sexism and all forms of corruption. Such are sentiments shared by the generality of Zimbabweans who yearn for nothing other than a better and prosperous Zimbabwe. For the record, I hold no brief against any MDC leader. I have expressed my considered views to all of them directly and publicly. My stand on unity of the MDC as well as of all oppositional forces is known by all the various leaders of our once glorious movement. In my letter to then Acting President of the MDCT on 4th June 2020 I concluded my presentation as follows: ‘I have acquitted myself profoundly well in the circumstances we find ourselves and I make no apology for my strong resolve that we find each other with our erstwhile comrades, while such an opportunity is available. It is a position that I am entitled to and cannot be a reason for abrasion in my relations with you.’ The eff uniting our factions has been fraught with suspicions and deeport of seated hatred. But this is not about individual feelings, it is about what is good for the people of Zimbabwe. The MDC is a people’s project and leaders come and go. Also, in the inaug ural MDCT Standing Committee meeting after the Supreme Court judgement I emphasized my position, particularly as then reinstated National Organising Secretary. These were my points to the Standing Committee, ….

(iv) I take it that both formations of the s ame family (MDCT) are bound by the Supreme Court judgement and we are meeting in that understanding,

(v) In terms of executing my obligations, my task is to mobilize stakeholders eligible for the Extraordinary Congress which is hard upon us,

(vi) These stakeholders are party members as at 2014, but physically distributed between the two formations of the party: some are with the MDCT the MDCAlliance and others are with .

(vii) My immediate task is to bring these delegates together at a single venue, at the same time, before a united leadership, for the single purpose of consummating the business of electing a substantive leader of the party following the death of President Tsvangirai in 2018 as the constitution prescribes.’ In my view, I was duty bound b y both principle and our constitution to bring together all eligible members to choose their leader and not a charade that eventually resulted from pursuit of narrow agendas and personal egos. It was time to heal and unite the MDC notwithstanding the pain and hurt sustained by many. We do it for the bigger cause and not individuals no matter what their sense of selfimportance. Genuine leaders should have put the organisation and people before individual concerns, genuine as they may be. Citing these few in stances of my public pronouncements, hopefully gives context to where we are coming from and possible the future trajectory.

Those opposed to the principle of constitutionalism and unity of the MDC have chosen to target me as a person and not the principle that I espouse. They prefer not to play the ball but harm a player. All done to give politics a dirty name when it is simple greed, manipulation and lack of character. Against this backdrop, it is silly and mischievous if not devious too, to suggest that Abednico Bhebhe has joined the MDC Alliance. I remain where I have always been and consistently so since 2017 when the discord began, I stand for unity of the MDC which is the only avenue to consign ZANU PF to the dustbin of history come 2023. Out of ignorance or malice, perhaps a combination of both, some have created an impression that I have hop knobbed from one party to another. As far as I am concerned, I have stood by my beliefs which have not changed, and they are not about to change. I have worked with progress people across the factional divide, and I do not regret it and will continue to do so as long as that would yield a stronger opposition against the heinous ZANU PF. It is in ZANU PF taste to celebrate the socalled rejoining of t he party and as democratic forces we strive to bring all together and work for our ultimate goal. Last but not least, we should be all concerned with the deteriorating security conditions in our country and deep poverty of both urban social, economic and and rural masses. That should motivate us to reflect on the state of our opposition forces and their state of preparedness to dismantle the securocratic dictatorship in Zimbabwe. It should not be about Bhebhe or any opposition leader but the bigger goal. 3