#OPINION: ZANU PF Must Not Become a Refuge for Criminals and Political Opportunists’
By Temba Mliswa
The adage “ZANU PF ihomwe inokwana vanhu vose” serves as a testament to the inclusive character of the ruling party, positioning itself as a sanctuary for all. However, in its wide embrace, it has also become fertile ground for the nefarious, harbouring criminals, con-artists, blackmailers and fraudsters. Sekuru Rutendo, with his inflated sense of self-worth, has allowed himself to be made a proxy by such individuals and, having warned him to stop these acts to no avail, I now trust the legal route to speak in the manner he understands. His handler, Tungwarara, has his own agenda, centred on neutralising my voice to protect his political motives, which have been made manifestly clear through his car and cash donations in Masvingo and to Rutendo. We have clear evidentiary support of this collusion and will present it, but not in the naïve manner this cabal attempted.
It is no wonder Masvingo Province has been up in arms against Tungwarara. They have realised that his agenda, though masked in party colours and rhetoric, is different. While his narrative about reconciliation sounds progressive, it is actually an initiative designed to mask the shocking act of rewarding his proxy—an individual whose claim to fame is attacking the President and the ruling party. Who has ever sought reconciliation with thieves terrorising his family compound by inviting them inside and bestowing armloads of gifts, unless they were his allies?
The manufactured audio recently posted is meant to equalise the field with the argument that I also attacked the President and should therefore leave Rutendo alone. Since this is not the first contrivance, it should by now be clear to the engineers of this plot that such tricks will not stop me from speaking the truth. While the gullible and the hungry have been fawning at his feet, it has long been clear to some of us that here is an individual of questionable convictions and agendas. That one has snaked his way into the cosy presence of His Excellency is no preclusion from being held accountable for his actions. Neither does that proximity confer purity or immunity from scrutiny, particularly over suspicious conduct such as allegedly manoeuvring through Government procedures to acquire a farm said to belong to the Trust of National Hero Nathan Shamuyarira.
That is not to mention reports from individuals who claim to have been swindled of thousands, only to have their complaints fended off through name-dropping or the disappearance of police dockets. As someone who has known the party and its operations for a long time, I have come to recognise many of these camouflaged infidels and to promptly name them when I do. That will not stop simply because another hungry mouth has availed itself for debasement, willing to do and say anything for another morsel.
One should simply desist from crafting anti-Presidential and anti-party plans. It is that simple. The first step towards reconciliation is repentance and reform—not sanitising wrongdoing with rewards while attempting to suffocate opposition to the ruse through social media tricks.
Icho Ndichoo!
Disclaimer: This article is an opinion piece by Temba Mliswa. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy, position or views of The Day Star.
ZANU PF Must Not Become a Refuge for Criminals and Political Opportunists’
