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NewsDay

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Dear Professor Jonathan Moyo

Columnists
Once every while I write “protest” letters to business and community leaders, hence the irresistible temptation to share my restive conscience with you, professor. More so that you are in the annals of Zimbabwean history as an icon of academic excellence. In this cluster of the intellectually gifted one encounters names like Eddison Zvobgo, Nkosana […]

Once every while I write “protest” letters to business and community leaders, hence the irresistible temptation to share my restive conscience with you, professor.

More so that you are in the annals of Zimbabwean history as an icon of academic excellence.

In this cluster of the intellectually gifted one encounters names like Eddison Zvobgo, Nkosana Moyo, Herbert Chitepo, Mthuli Ncube, Arnold Tsunga, John Robertson, Christopher Chetsanga, Arthur Mutambara, Hope Sadza, Brian Raftopolous, Trevor Ncube, Rudo Gaidzanwa, George Kahari, Gordon Chavunduka, Daniel Ndlela, Eldred Masunungure, Fay Chung, Erich Bloch, Lupi Mushayakarara, Sabelo Gatsheni-Ndlovu, Lovemore Madhuku, Alex Magaisa, Masipula Sithole, Brilliant Mhlanga, Mandivamba Rukuni, Lawton Hikwa, Dambudzo Marechera, Brian Kagoro, Amy Tsanga and Welshman Ncube.

Like Margaret Dongo, you share the unique position of having once prevailed over Zanu PF adversity as an independent Member of Parliament at a time when

Zimbabweans were obsessed with “big brand” politics. The mere fact that you despise President Robert Mugabe while sharing lunch with him — and then live to belch the story — is an inimitable feat of unprecedented survivalist bravado!

I have lost count, professor, how many millions of noble words you have authored and spoken. Like any other humble citizen of this impoverished country, I consider some of those words inspiring, others depressing, some astounding just as others are confounding.

No doubt legions of Zimbabweans at home and abroad share my admiration. That is why I find your stealthy anti-democratic belligerence rather . . . weird.

You are that rare breed of “academic politicians” whose pervasive influence of Zanu PF is the greatest force since Zvobgo. Your aura of indispensability has been entrenched by readmission as a member of that party despite feeble protests by those that feel threatened.

My question, though, professor is: If academic excellence is about enlightened progressiveness, innovation, humanism and role modelling, what value proposition — other than misplaced nationalism and rogue patriotism — does Zanu PF offer you?

Here, professor, I am talking about a party that you yourself condemned for the murder of 20 000 people of your tribe.

It has presided over systematic annihilation of Zimbabwe’s public infrastructure. Its tyrannous misrule has sent three million citizens into involuntary exile, while those that remain are subjected to electoral violence, intimidation and poverty.

The Zanu PF litany of tactical partisan errors includes costly intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo, war veterans’ “compensation”, Murambatsvina, chaotic land reform, Gideon Gono’s quasi-fiscal misdemeanours and, of late, Saviour Kasukuwere’s plunder of property rights under the guise of “indigenisation”.

Professor, you share the table with people that, even in a constitutional democracy, conspire to arrest and torture political competitors, abduct human rights activists and ignore rape of women who do not subscribe to their ideology.

I could be wrong, professor, but Mugabe has single-handedly dragged Zimbabwe into the melting inferno of unenviable pariah status, incinerating our international reputation, heightening the country risk profile, thus inviting sanctions by the civilised world. Our children do not know what life is with clean, running tap water.

Teachers cannot afford to purchase homes, cars and other life necessities. Zanu PF employs and commands terror gangs that harass citizens, interfere with legitimate public consultations and suppresses free political expression.

You, professor, are lending legitimacy to a party that has desecrated and contaminated democracy.

For all your greatness, Professor Moyo, you owe it to the great people of this troubled nation. Extricate yourself from Zanu PF, once and for all, and apply yourself to the democratic cause of truth, justice, fairness, prosperity for all and ultimately, love for abantu bakho — your kinsmen.

Sincerely yours,

Rejoice Ngwenya.