A lasting lesson that comes from doing a doctoral dissertation is the ability to reconcile difference propositions.
A dissertation is usually handed over to an external examiner, whose duty is to find fault with the thesis. This shock comes after a student has been working on his presentation for three years.
The student does not have to agree with the views expressed by the external examiner, but contrary ideas must be acknowledged and explained.
This is called reconciliation-after which the student is allowed to attend his final defense.
The crucial issues before Zimbabweans are that Zanu PF, in its wisdom, has decided that Mukuru is a great builder of roads and has an ability to draw direct foreign investment (DFI) into the country.
Extension of his tenure by two years will bring huge benefits.
Unfortunately, Brother Ziyambi Ziyambi, who acts as Tsuro Magenga, added some provisions, which were not in the original Bulawayo and Mutare Conference resolutions.
These resolutions, included a waiver of popular election of the president and replacing it with a parliamentary election instead.
This reduces the number of presidential electors to 500 members.
External examiner’s input
An external examiner will point out the following facts. A smaller number of electors can easily be bribed by US$40 000 forgivable loans and Road Ranger automobiles.
Extending the president’s term from five to seven years will conflict with the constitutional provisions embedded paragraphs (952) (328) (98).
The first provision says that a term will be five years, begins and ends, and is “co-terminus” with that of parliament. Further, term (s) of office, while being co-terminus with that of parliament, are limited to two terms- a term being described as five years.
The constitution further says that for any reason, if an incumbent serves in an office for three years or more (perhaps after the death of a previous incumbent), that length of service is regarded as a term.
Of course, these constitutional provisions can be amended, but those serving during the time the amendment is done, cannot be beneficiaries.
In any case, such changes, which are deemed to be consequential, even if approved by a two-thirds majority in a stooge parliament, (which Ziyambi Ziyambi presumes) must be referred to a referendum.
The two actions must be done within 90 days.
Intellectual prostitute
The above summary is what an external examiner would have pointed out to the aspiring doctoral candidate.
Ziyambi Ziyambi did the right thing by hiring an outside thinker to help him navigate these waters.
Unfortunately, he hired Professor Jonathan Moyo, a well-known intellectual prostitute.
Give the devil his due — Jonathan Moyo did see the problems pointed out above and offered a solution-and typical of a prostitute, the solution was dishonest.
The first solution (in Moyo’s audio) is a redefinition of the words, term limit. If, according to Moyo, one extends the life of a contract of five years to seven, he has not changed the nature of the term.
Terminus-Latin-means end, as in bus terminus.
In other words, like Humpty Dumpty, a “term” has nothing to do with “time” or end of journey-as in “terminus.”
Secondly, Moyo suggests a trick which if carried out might work, assuming that all the parties are stooges, crooks, or in the pay.
If, say, a brother, Lika Zulu (or Mtwakazi Party) was in somebody’s pocket, and showed some standing in a court of law, and asked for a definition of the words “term limits” and “time limits…” will comply.
A prostituted judge, in his much learning, would create a new dictionary which describes the word term as unrelated to time.
Up to this point, I think Moyo is brilliant-though the reasoning assumes that we are all prostitutes-an idea which should not be lightly dismissed.
If Moyo is alleged to be the brains behind the stooge party of Sengezo Tshabangu, then he has a record of success.
Further, Moyo is working on an assumption that the opposition party in Zimbabwe is spineless and can be influenced by other means.
Moyo was surprised to find opposition from veterans and retired generals.
He called them “ignorant and cowardly.” Moyo has forgotten about his cowardly flight from the same generals on November 17, 2017).
The ignorant argument is called “ad hominem” (attacking the messenger). student does not necessarily have to agree with the proposals of the external examiner, but his attempt to change the meaning of the word “term” is weak argument.
Moyo is not entirely correct in his assumptions. It appears that Professor Lovemore Madhuku, attorney Tendai Biti, Ibbo Mandaza, some retired generals have similar misgivings about proposed changes.
Two secret service agents were alleged, named and quoted as saying and carrying out a beating of Professor Madhuku.
In another incident, Mandaza’s conference centre was fire-bombed.
Moyo and Temba Mliswa very much resort to ad hominem attacks, implying a weakness in their intellectual arguments.
For Brother Mliswa, I would add that he is jealous of watching the beautiful Sister Mnnie and Brother Gudo having a good time.
Conservative jurists begin by asking the question: What was the original intention of the founding fathers?
The Zimbabwe constitutional framers were afraid of a ruler in the name of Robert Mugabe, who extended his stay (term of office) until he was senile. Witnesses have testified that in his senility, words that came from the feisty Sister Grace (his grasping wife) were more consequential that the words which came from him.
Note the word “consequential.” A professor told me that Sister Grace told them: “I want that degree which you are giving Joice Mujuru.” The professor who was tasked to “cook up” the degree did not himself have a doctoral degree.
Peace, my brothers and sisters.
*Ken Mufuka is a Zimbabwean patriot.