What would the Zimbabwean government, ruling Zanu PF party, or their perennial supporters, say of me if I were to declare: “In terms of our economy, and citizens’ wellbeing, and if you go anywhere in Zimbabwe, the situation is now very bad. Tendai Ruben Mbofana “The prices of basic commodities are out of reach for the majority, public health facilities are without essential medications (while, nurses and doctors have to work without adequate personal protective equipment, under untenable conditions, and unfair wages), public schools are grossly under-staffed and under-resourced (with teachers paid a mere pittance), among other problems, and the government responsible is run by Zanu PF. “What Zanu PF has done to our country is embarrassing. It is very embarrassing, and it has failed so much that even in some homes, families can go for weeks or months without a proper nutritious meal. it has totally failed”? What would those who always see it fit to attack those who oppose or criticise the government say about such a comment — a comment, that I, and so many others, have been making for as long as this regime has been blundering and messing up the country? Would they not say we were disparaging the country, and describe us as some nefarious detractors, who are out to taint the country's image by inciting the population into anarchy, and violent illegal regime change at the instigation of foreign erstwhile colonial and imperial masters? I have personally being at the receiving end of such merciless and baseless accusations merely for standing up and speaking out for the voiceless unjustly treated citizens of Zimbabwe. What if I were to tell you that, the words quoted above were not uttered by any so-called anti-government activist, but by none other than the President of this great country, while addressing villagers in Chivi, a few days ago — well, of course, not exactly in those words, but we can substitute the name Zanu PF with MDC, country with cities and towns, and problems experienced at national level with those found in MDC-run local government areas. So, what is the point I am trying to make? Well, it is very simple. What exactly does the government, the ruling Zanu PF party, and their sympathisers, mean when they label social justice, and human rights, activists detractors, harbouring nefarious agendas, which are aimed at tarnishing the country's image, so as to incite anarchy — for merely exercising their right to voice justifiable outrage at the heinous and barbarous mismanagement, corruption, and brutality unleashed on the nation of Zimbabwe, by its opportunistic ruling elite? What is so nefarious about condemning the shameless and wanton looting of national resources by those in power, and their connections while, the rest of the defenceless population wallow silently in poverty? How does exposing the regime's ruthless persecution and brutalisation of those who resist and speak out against its injustices, make one a detractor? How does that denigrate our country, in the eyes of the world? In fact, who is do
