Former Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala has raised concern over the current state of the opposition and proposed a way forward through a Mass Nationwide Democratic Consultative Process.
Sikhala 595 days in pre-trial detention was recently released from prison after he was handed a wholly suspended two-year sentence on charges of inciting public violence.
Addressing journalists in Harare today, Sikhala shed light on what he perceives as a critical juncture in the country’s political landscape.
“What is currently happening in the opposition is not uncommon. It is the common political strategy that has happened and implemented by despots throughout the world down the centuries. Mobutu Sese Seko used the same strategy of distributing patronage and buying of individuals in opposition ranks to destroy and disorganize it by exploiting the discovered weaknesses in the opposition superstructure.
“During the mass democratic revolt against imperialism and colonialism in our own country, the Rhodesian kingpin Ian Douglas Smith implemented the strategy with perfection to the extent of delivering an internal settlement. Series of Apartheid leaders applied the same strategy and tactics and ended up establishing homelands which purportedly gave a façade of independence to black self-governed enclaves. Dear Zimbabweans and worldwide friends, Zimbabwe is at the crossroads,” said Sikhala
He stressed the importance of inclusivity, advocating for a consultative process involving a wide array of constituent bodies, from labor unions to traditional leaders, students to businesspersons.
“The weakness of our 1999 approach was that the meeting of the constituent bodies was heavy at the top with only the ZCTU having grassroots structures. It was the meeting of constituent bodies at the national leadership level with less participation from the shopfloor and village level which eventually led to the clash of egos.
“Zimbabwe needs a way forward to answer the national question, of whereto from here. The way forward on what should be done from here will come from the people through a Mass Nationwide Democratic Consultative Process. The national consultative process will convene Nationwide Democratic Consultative Conventions,” he said
Sikhala said the Consultative process will involve all important constituent bodies, that is, the general masses of our people, labor, students, traditional leaders, churches, civic society, businesspersons, professionals, residents’ associations, informal traders, women clubs, farmers, peasants, youth organizations, progressive political organizations, war veterans, war collaborators, artists, corporate business sector, and people living with disabilities.
