Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri on Thursday issued one of the most reckless statements ever of someone in his position, insinuating Zimbabweans in the Diaspora have no right to complain about what was happening in the country, as if he was stripping them of their “Zimbabweanness”. NewsDay Comment
Chihuri goes on to mock Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, claiming they work three jobs just to make ends meet, saying they had gone into voluntary slavery, urging them to return to the country.
The police chief totally misses the irony that most people left this country because of the ruinous policies of the very government he burns the midnight oil propping up.
Had the economy been better, the police working efficiently in a non-partisan manner and with the country able to provide a better life, then there would be no need for anyone to go into this “modern-day slavery” as seen by Chihuri.
Chihuri speaks about Zimbabweans enjoying peace and urges people in the Diaspora to return so they can enjoy it as well, forgetting the maxim by Albert Einsten that the absence of war does not mean peace – but peace is also the presence of justice, law and order.
But as every Zimbabwean knows, there has been a collapse of the rule of law, while justice and law are applied in an openly partisan manner, meaning the peace Chihuri speaks about is all, but non-existent.
The police boss should know that his forces have inculcated a culture of fear and despondency in most Zimbabweans that they are even afraid to think of showing their dissent, and this should by no means be mistaken for peace, which Chihuri waxes so lyrical about.
What Chihuri tried to do was to create a them and us divide between Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and those back home, but that does not work, as we all belong to one country.
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It is not a crime to wish for a better Zimbabwe, whether one lives in it or not and raising questions about poor governance and “complaining” — as Chihuri puts it – is not synonymous with becoming an agent of violence.
Chihuri’s statements betray a shocking sense of exceptionalism, which is not backed by any facts, where he thinks just because he and a few others are enjoying in the lap of luxury, then everyone else is.
It is clear from Chihuri’s statements that he, like most officials in power, is out of touch with what most Zimbabweans want and aspire for this country, thus, he makes such statements that people are in voluntary slavery abroad.
On the other hand, Chihuri should confer with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe boss, John Mangudya and ask how much these voluntary slaves have sent back to the country in the past years in remittances and how this has delayed the country’s certain collapse.
Instead of being dismissive and haughty, Chihuri should be grateful that “slaves” are sending in billions in remittances, which has helped keep the country afloat.
Chihuri and the government should work on engaging the Diaspora, rather than this present situation where they think they are better than everyone else.
