“We are led by men of war, whose experiences are coloured by the violence of national liberation struggles. Throughout our post -independence experience, we have seen evidence of their incomplete rehabilitation from the” Gandanga” culture of the war years and its attendant violence, except that in the post-independence era this violence has served no liberatory purpose.
Instead, it has often recreated war-like experiences for civilians in independent Zimbabwe, starting with Gukurahundi throughout most national elections, particularly in 2008 when the deployment of actual military personnel across the country during the infamous presidential run-off election in June of that year forced MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to quit the race in order to save opposition supporters from the gross violence of the regime.
People became refugees in their own country, with many finding their way from Mashonaland Central to Harare where they sought refuge at the South African Embassy. The language of the regime and their attitude to political opposition has remained steeped in the culture of the war years – even younger members of this regime and the party that underpins it have been schooled in this culture: they openly boast of being political thugs.
A regime such as this was always going to approach every political challenge as a hammer does a nail. It is crucial, therefore, for the people’s mass action to steer clear of violence and remained anchored in the commitment to peaceful, non-violent protest. This regime is looking for nails, do not give them an excuse to hammer you!
Remain vigilantly peaceful and avoid every trap set in your way to provoke you to violence. Please, ignore all calls that urge violence and hold fast to the inspiration of the Israelites who marched and shouted down the mighty walls of Jericho without a single javelin thrown! – Journalist Innocent Chofamba Sithole
