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Election Bulletin #2
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
March 08, 2002

What they died for: Honouring the liberation struggle
By Tawanda Hondura

Thousands of Zimbabweans lost their lives in the war of liberation, which culminated in independence in 1980. Majority rule was not brought about solely through the barrel of the gun, but through one man-one vote. It was the first time that universal suffrage, irrespective of the race of the citizens was introduced in Zimbabwe. It was through one man-one vote, and the expression of the people’s will that ZANU PF was mandated and given the responsibility to rule this country.

Political violence, the systematic and wanton killing and torture of fellow citizens for political differences, destruction of property, and the displacement of civilians in the name of politics negates the gains of independence and undermines the spirit, ideology and the purpose for which the war fought. Did we go to war in order to replace one dictator with another?

Notwithstanding that ZANU PF operated an illegal radio station in Mozambique during the war, the government in Rhodesian chameleonic fashion maintains an illegal monopoly buttressed by an equally obnoxious Broadcasting Services Act. This is truly a study in how yesterday’s liberator has turned into today’s oppressor.

Shockingly the government uses the Public Order and Security Act, an even more draconian act than the Law and Order Maintenance Act, which prior to independence was used by the colonial regime to suppress popular dissent and to arrest and detain for many years the leaders of the struggle. Gatherings, without police authorisation are outlawed, persons are forced to carry identity documents, and trivial offences are severely punished. Somehow it seems that if it is done by a white man it is oppression – when it is done by a fellow African, it is branded “the chimurenga.”

All this has been done in the name of freedom, sovereignty and self-determination in what has been a cynical hijacking and distortion of the liberation struggle.

With all that has happened, this election can never be judged to have been free and fair. It is not a question pre-empting the outcome, simply of stating the facts as they are. However, this does not mean that we should refuse to go out to vote. Quite the contrary, it is if anything because of these circumstances, that every voter who has been lucky enough to guard that right must now go out and exercise it. The running of elections has always been skewed in favour of the ruling party. The response in the past has always been to boycott the election giving the government exactly what they want – victory if not legitimacy. It will be a sign of a new awareness and empowerment amongst citizens that against all odds, they will exercise their most fundamental political right.

Zimbabweans must regain the spirit of independence and claim their right to self-determination through the ballot. In so doing, we will wrest from the government its monopolistic claim as the sole liberators of this country. It was the ballot that brought about independence and it is the ballot that must maintain the gains and fruits. We must not allow any party or person to dictate the political, economic and social destiny of this country. Every person has an obligation to vote.

It is imperative that we express our displeasure and disgust at the use of torture, death and kidnappings simply to protect the privileges and wealth of a small political elite. Zimbabweans have the right to live in peace and prosperity. We must all therefore speak through the ballot.  It is in that way we will return honour and dignity to the liberation struggle and it is in that way that we will retain the gains that were fought for.

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