safety or power?

Zimbabwe: Is Mnangagwa using Covid-19 restrictions to consolidate power?

By Farai Shawn Matiashe

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Posted on September 21, 2021 15:59

© Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks in a pre-recorded message that was played during the U.N. General Assembly, Sustainable Development Goals, at UN headquarters, in New York, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (UNTV via AP)
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks in a pre-recorded message that was played during the U.N. General Assembly, Sustainable Development Goals, at UN headquarters, in New York, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (UNTV via AP)

When Constantino Chiwenga, Zimbabwe’s vice-president and health minister, suspended by-elections in October 2020 citing Statutory Instrument (SI) 225A as a means to curb Covid-19, many believed a new date would be set. Instead, the government has remained silent on the matter, with many wondering if this is truly a measure to control the pandemic, or a strategy by the ruling Zanu PF to stop the MDC Alliance from winning back seats it lost after the recall by its breakaway party, the MDC-T.

Relations between Nelson Chamisa – leader of the main opposition party MDC Alliance – and the former leader of the MDC-T (now replaced by Douglas Mwonzora) went sour in February 2018 after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai, following a dispute over the latter’s successor. In the aftermath, the party split into two factions: MDC-T and MDC Alliance.

READ MORE Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC implodes – thanks to Zanu-PF

In the July 2018 general elections, the two parties took on Zanu PF separately, a move which saw the ruling party controversially win the polls. Chamisa has since refused to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the leader of the country, terming him “illegitimate.”

The battle for Tsvangirai’s successor has been raging on, with the MDC-T working hand in hand with the state apparatus to decimate the MDC Alliance.

I believe the government suspended elections for their own benefit, not that they are afraid the elections will lead to a surge in

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