ZIMBABWE — This week has been an eventful one in the history of Zimbabwean politics; MDC MPs are arrested just before the swearing-in ceremony, a non-ZANU PF MP becomes the first speaker of parliament since 1980 (poor Didymus, you were the first one), deputy speakership goes to the small MDC faction, in a bid to land the presidency of the Senate at all costs, Gushungo rushes to appoint eight governors and three senators, clearly against the supposedly good spirit of the MoU, both MDCs vote for same candidates as president and deputy president of the Senate, Mr. Mugabe opens parliament without the first lady, Lovemore Moyo's humble history is well publicised, the list goes on. 

 

A friend of mine who spent the past three weeks in Zimbabwe could not believe what he saw; police officers literally begging for bread at road blocks, first it was a dozen, half a dozen then a loaf and finally a few slices.

 

 

This happened successively at the four roadblocks mounted between Plumtree and Bulawayo. Why we need four roadblocks in a stretch of 100kms just beats the mind!

 

I then thought of some of my former high school mates, who are now members of the police force, my many colleagues who either joined the force out of desperation or patriotism but most importantly, my niece, my sister's first daughter who is also a member of the police force.

 

Has this become her only way to get a loaf of bread or a meal unless I send her a few US dollars from here? Begging for food from travellers?

 

What picture does this paint to foreigners, particularly our valuable tourists? Then I said to myself, something has really gone terribly wrong, therefore, something has to change terribly!

 

Back to parliament, Gushungo probably had been advised as to what was really awaiting him at parliament buildings, this could be the only reason why the first lady was conspicuously absent from the opening ceremony.

 

The jeering, the booing, the derogatory songs and the disharmony that punctuated the controversial event, told a different story about where we are going as a nation.

 

While I totally support the petition presented to Mr Mugabe by the main MDC on the opening day, I have my reservation regarding some of the behaviour that reportedly prevailed in parliament.

 

Yes, we all patiently await the outcome of the dialogue, which we expect to deliver the best possible result for Zimbabwe, truly reflecting the dynamics and realities of March 29.

 

However, as government-in-waiting, our MDC MPs would rather start behaving as such. Mugabe, as one of the key principals in the talks, should also have blocked the arrest of MDC MPs at parliament the previous day, if MoU is still anything to worry about.

 

If things were to eventually go the popular way, i.e. Mugabe accepts to become a ceremonial president and MT becomes executive prime minister until we hold a free and fair election, we would still give Mugabe the respect affordable to a ceremonial president (or is it queen), regardless of the pain, suffering and hatred we have experienced in the past, most recently between March and June 2008.

 

What do we stand to lose if we start showing the world that indeed we are politically, morally, psychologically and principally prepared to be the next government; mature, tolerant, forgiving (not necessarily forgetful) and ready to re-unite the nation?

 

MDC now controls The House of Assembly while ZANU PF controls the Senate; may this also be reflected in the outcome of the Mbeki talks?

 

Zimbabwe will never be the same again but let us all start thinking of the future though we must continue to derive lessons from our "mixed" past. After all, we are all Zimbabweans.

 

There are some families that have produced teachers, criminals, leaders, lawyers and priests. Zimbabwe is a much bigger family.

 

May those who continue to rape, murder, maim, torture and arrest innocent citizens, get the punishment they deserve as the rest of us switch our focus and attention to the reconstruction of our potentially great nation.

 

Moses Chamboko Writes from Australia
chambokm@gmail.com

 

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