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Roy Bennet

President Mugabe and his party Zanu-PF’s emphatic victory has sent a loud and clear message to the country’s detractors that Zimbabwe does not brook any interference in its internal affairs. Zimbabweans have demonstrated to the world that they are masters of their own destiny. It is Zimbabweans and Zimbabweans alone who can effect a regime change and not outsiders.

Some sections of the media that behaved as though this profession called journalism has no ethics, were left with egg on their faces when the election results were announced. These media houses completely abandoned their role which is to inform, educate and entertain and assumed the role of political commissars for certain political parties.

We want to believe as a nation that this was as a result of some overzealous individuals who will be made to see the light as the country opens a new chapter after the just ended historic elections. It has been stated time and again that elections are just a competition whereby individuals who are confident they have the capacity to preside over the people’s governance, compete for offices.

The election results have since been announced and Zanu-PF has surpassed the two thirds majority in Parliament. President Mugabe won by 61,09 percent against main rival, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai of  MDC-T’s 33,94 percent. Zanu-PF won 160 seats in the National Assembly against MDC-T’s 49 seats.

Zanu-PF has therefore been given the mandate to preside over governance issues of this country for the next five years. The elections have been endorsed by many international institutions that include Sadc, the AU, Sadc Lawyers’ Association and the United Nations.
The UN Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-Moon has commended Zimbabweans for participating in what he has described as broadly peaceful election.

He said by voting in the elections, Zimbabweans had exercised their democratic right. Mr Ban Ki-Moon urged the political leadership to spur the country’s economic recovery which he said would benefit all Zimbabweans. We cannot agree more with the UN Secretary-General. The elections are over and the focus now should be on development. Those who contested the elections and lost should now join hands with the winners to develop the country.

The peace and tranquility enjoyed before and during elections should continue after the elections. Zimbabweans should not listen to renegades like MDC-T treasurer Mr Roy Bennett who last week called on the people to bring the country to a standstill by embarking on mass boycotts. The self-exiled Mr  Bennett is one of the countries’ detractors who want to see Zimbabweans suffering while he enjoys himself from the fruits of looting the country’s resources. Mr Bennett is one of the beneficiaries of the settler regime’s looting.

Zimbabweans, we want to believe, are mature enough not to be fooled by unrepentant  Rhodies like Mr Bennett. The country, as stated before, has a mammoth task of reviving the economy and should get down to business as soon as possible. Projects that had been put on hold should be rolled out.

The industries that have been closed should be opened as soon as possible and Government should come up with a programme of action.
The international community should be engaged so that the country can derive maximum benefits from the exploitation of its vast natural resources such as minerals. Zimbabweans should guard jealously the prevailing peace which will enable the country to attract foreign investment.

It is a fact that that many countries including our detractors want to benefit from our resources hence the softening of the sanctions regime witnessed of late. What is important is to shame the prophets of doom who are already warning of looming food shortages and essential commodities such as fuel.

These doomsayers are saying our shops will be empty by December but we know for a fact that these are just wild predictions from the country’s enemies. Let us join hands and work for a better Zimbabwe as a nation with a shared vision.