Internationally, the involvement of the military in governance issues even in political hotspots is frowned upon according to test statutes, but Zimbabweans believe this presents a unique scenario given the deteriorating social, political, economic and governance systems in the country.
Given the unfolding events, at 93 years of age, President Robert Mugabe had been reduced to a figurehead by his commandeering wife First Lady Grace and, hence, the political situation would have degenerated into chaos and spawned a security threat.
Clearly, a coup d’état is never an option. However, credit should be given to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for exercising great restraint and professionalism since their intervention as there has been a general atmosphere of calm and peace.
The military action appears to have the backing of the general citizenry and opposition. Given the circumstances, it is clear that there is no way the opposition could have been able to remove Mugabe from power as long as he had the backing of the military.
It is envisaged that their action must spawn a new dawn. There is no doubt that Zimbabweans have suffered enough under Mugabe’s misgovernance, and there must come a time when someone must stop him for the good of the country.
Therefore, it is important for mechanisms to be put in place to prepare for next year’s general elections, after which focus should be directed to the economy whose decline requires urgent arrest. The road travelled so far has been hard and painful and the current developments in the country should mark the beginning of a new era.
The Zanu PF succession fights had particularly become toxic and Zimbabweans believe whatever deal is agreed upon, citizens are now facing a new chapter in their politics in which people should not have a monopoly on political power, leadership should easily change hands ensuring an injection of new ideas, new strength and new direction that will all contribute to developing a future in which the population’s well-being, development and economic prosperity is guaranteed.
The military’s intervention was critical and timely given the rate at which the economy had started tumbling again, with a deepening cash crisis and skyrocketing prices of basic goods, hitting hard an already struggling and hard-pressed population.
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The situation now requires all Zimbabweans to come together regardless of political affiliation and map the way forward and steer the national ship out of the doldrums. We believe this must be an era of reconstruction. The era of politics of hatred, selfishness, violence and murder must now be buried for good.
