Politics of the belly

Social theorist Tomas Sowell forewarned us on the folly of trusting politicians. To him, politicians are not trying to solve our problems.

They are trying to solve their own problems — of which getting elected and re-elected are number one and number two, Sowell said, adding that “whatever is number three is far behind”.

It’s all about them and they believe that it’s their time to eat.

Promises made during the campaign period are discarded once the politician assumes office.

Revelations that sitting MPs will get prime land in Harare as part of their conditions of service serve to illustrate the predatory nature of politicians.

Zanu PF and the opposition Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) have different ideologies as parties. 

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However, their lawmakers close ranks when it is their time to eat, pushing for “welfare issues”.

Even those who have not spoken in parliamentary sessions find their voices.  

So united are the lawmakers that they resort to “blackmail”, telling Finance minister Mthuli Ncube to improve their welfare in return for approving the national budget.

It is a trait they have perfected so well over the years.

In local authorities, councillors have formed cartels to enrich themselves at the expense of service delivery.

The opposition lawmakers and councillors, expected to be upright by virtue of being part of a “government in waiting”, have failed the test.

In Harare, for example, opposition councillors have been on a looting spree as the commission of inquiry into the affairs of the capital heard.

If gold rusts, what will iron do? Chaucer would have asked.

When politics of the belly takes charge, rationality plays second fiddle.

Who would have thought that an opposition leader would support plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond the constitutionally-mandated two terms, which end in 2028?

This happened in broad daylight.

In January, self-styled CCC interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu hectored his party’s lawmakers to visit Mnangagwa’s farm in Kwekwe, a trip he said was the “most significant event in the current context of solution-finding, nation-building and consensus”.

He did not end there, declaring that, “If our presence here improves your stay in power and that makes the people of Zimbabwe happy, then let it be.” Tshabangu’s choreographed remarks were punctuated by the song 2030 ndeya Emmerson, urging the extension of Mnangagwa’s term to 2030.

There are unanswered questions. What were opposition lawmakers doing at Mnangagwa’s private property? Were they aware that organisers of the fete had invited Zanu PF’s affiliates to rubber-stamp the ED2030 slogan?  

What the second republic has shown exceptional ability at is the use of trinkets to curry favour and opposition lawmakers and councillors have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

There are reports that lawmakers are in for rich pickings if they support plans to amend the Constitution to extend Mnangagwa’s stay.

More than half of the opposition lawmakers and councillors are aware that their betrayal of the electorate has rendered them ineligible re-election.

They have estranged their paymasters — the voters — whom  they promised to serve, as they pursue narrow interests.

They see the second half of their tenure as a last chance saloon to prepare for the inevitable rainy day.