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WE are shocked by statements made by MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu, whose contribution to national discourse was a call for the equivalent of internal sanctions on Zimbabwean companies linked to Zanu-PF leaders, supporters or officials. According to Gutu, Zimbabweans should boycott products from all firms linked to Zanu-PF ostensibly to abet his party’s dream of forming the next government.

It is lost on Gutu that his party is out of Government for the simple reason that Zanu-PF commands the majority as results of elections held since 2000 have shown. We should state at the outset that we do not take Gutu’s puerile utterances as a threat to the viability of the companies concerned for the simple reason that MDC-T does not have the numbers to do so, but we have a duty to advise this errant party about the role of the opposition.

The role of an opposition party is to offer alternative policies, not to seek to destroy what the governing party has built or is building.

Gutu claims the companies were set-up through abuse of national resources, a claim we hope, he can substantiate in a court of law.

The MDC-T spokesman was quoted in some sections of the media saying: “We need to hear Zanu-PF scream and as a democratic party we can only engage in peaceful resistance to this regime until it squeals. The MDC has come up with a programme in which we will call on all our supporters and the generality of Zimbabweans to stop dealing and buying products from Zanu-PF-linked and owned businesses as well as their products.”

Does that statement ring a bell?

It should because it is a throwback to the sentiments made by former US assistant secretary of State for African Affairs Chester Crocker during hearings for the US sanctions law, the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act that cut all lines of credit to Zimbabwe in 2001.

Said Chester Crocker: “To separate the Zimbabwean people from Zanu-PF, we are going to have to make their economy scream, and I hope you, Senators, have the stomach for what you have to do.”

So the bottom line, the MDC-T called for sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2000 and is still singing that same depraved song despite the fact that the sanctions have caused unspeakable suffering to innocent Zimbabweans, including MDC-T supporters.

The sanctions are estimated to have cost the economy over US$42 billion in revenue in addition to contracting the economy by a factor of over 40 percent.

Hardworking Zimbabweans saw their savings and pensions wiped out by runaway inflation and had to virtually start afresh in February 2009 after the adoption of a basket of foreign currencies to replace the defunct Zimbabwe dollar.

The ongoing job losses stem from depressed industry and it is shocking that at a time like this Gutu — whose party claims to be for workers — has the temerity to wish internal sanctions on the few remaining companies.

Gutu’s justification: He calls the government a regime despite the fact that his party MDC-T was in the inclusive Government from 2009 to 2013 preparing for the harmonised elections, which it happily participated in before losing dismally to Zanu-PF.

In case he has forgotten the GPA was signed and the inclusive Government formed to foster an environment of political and socio-economic stability in readiness for the holding of the harmonised elections.

MDC-T was party to all the reforms that were implemented to prepare for those elections and helped co-author the new Constitution.

The beleaguered opposition was then rejected by the electorate because it had nothing to offer by way of vision for the country.

Gutu’s recent utterances actually vindicate the electorate. The MDC-T has consistently exposed itself as a protest movement that is caught in a time warp of denial. The party is not the factor it takes itself to be in Zimbabwean politics.

This is why the party’s traditional handlers are busy re-engaging the Government and MDC-T allies like the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are trashing the regime change agenda saying they now view government as a partner.

Gutu and those of his ilk are clearly out of touch with national sensibilities. The MDC-T claims the boycott call is motivated by the need to pressure Zanu-PF for electoral reforms.

Really? Any politician worth his salt will know that any reforms come from Parliament, there will be no other informal gathering of political parties outside that august House which holds people with the mandate to speak for the electorate. Ironically, an institution that the MDC-T says it’s boycotting.

Gutu and his party are their own worst enemies. The voters are watching and they will once again sit in judgment over the quisling opposition in 2018.