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Tafara Shumba Correspondent
Didymus Mutasa is moribund.
The events of the past few weeks indicate that he is sinking politically and wants to railroad everyone he perceives to be discontented to join him in his futile political project.

What is not quite clear is whether the old man is speaking on behalf of the deposed sect, or he is just thinking aloud, a common symptom of senility.

Cde Mutasa’s throw-ups give an impression that he and his allies are on the verge of forming a political party.

Whatever the case, the onus is upon those in the cabal to purge themselves of this charge, lest they sink into political oblivion with Cde Mutasa.

It reminds one of a mentally-challenged person who is good at sprinting but suddenly gets assailed by a lapse during a race he is leading and proceeds to the bushes instead of the finishing line.

Politicians should be wary of following people like that.

As such people must examine Cde Mutasa’s mental status before they follow him, lest they end up in a political bush.

With the extent he had personalised the revolutionary party and assumed the self-apportioned title of godfather, Cde Mutasa cannot live with the reality that he and Mai Joice Mujuru are now ordinary card carrying members.

With the magnitude of allegations levelled against them, the cabal must be thankful that they still enjoy the privilege of being members of the people’s party.

It is not unprecedented to purge seditious elements of a party.

The African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa passed a vote of no confidence in its president, Thabo Mbeki in 2008.

However, Mbeki accepted the censure and he remained loyal to his party. This should be an object lesson for Cde Mutasa who thought Sadc would be shaken by the sacking of a vice president and a mere secretary for administration.

Accepting censure is a rare attribute of a true revolutionary.

Today, Mbeki is universally recognised as a statesman despite his unceremonious departure from the presidency.

In 2012, Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete fired six ministers in connection with corruption allegations.

The ministers held high profile portfolios of finance, energy, tourism, trade, transport and health.

In December last year, another high profile casualty was witnessed in Tanzania after President Kikwete sacked his Land and Housing minister Anna Tibaijuka over another corruption scandal.

Even history tells us that the first motion of no confidence was passed in one of the countries that pride themselves on democracy.

Frederick North, Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782, exited the highest office by the same entrance that Dr Joice Mujuru used.

Contrary to what Cde Mutasa wants to push for, the international community can never be shocked by what is unfolding in Zanu-PF.

They have their own problems to attend to.

Several Zanu-PF officials, especially provincial chairmen, were censured in 2004 on fabricated allegations cooked up in some dirty political pots.

They accepted the censure, a judicious political decision that eventually paid dividend to some.

Cde Mutasa should pluck a leaf from these disciplined cadres.

Cde Mutasa knows that with his advanced age and frailty, his chances of making a political rebirth are next to none. He, therefore, wants to sink into the political sand with many who may be otherwise redeemable.

He now behaves like a man with a deadly disease who goes on a cruel campaign to infect women so that he does not die alone.

In any case, Cde Mutasa and his allies will never form a political party that will rob Zanu-PF of its sleep.

History is packed with examples of people who thought they were bigger than the party but ended up in political misery.

Dr Simba Makoni, who at one time was touted as an heir to President Mugabe, lost patience along the way and formed his Mavambo.

The decision of the learned but unwise doctor reduced him to a village politician.

Dumiso Dabengwa thought he was the centre holding the historic Unity Accord.

He thought he would walk out from the revolutionary party with a great chunk of the former PF Zapu cadres.

He was stunned when he looked back and saw no follower.

Edgar Tekere, Margret Dongo and Ndabaningi Sithole before, among others, followed the same route to their political deaths.

Cde Mutasa and many of his allies have never been the darling of the people except their relatives.

In Mutare for instance, Enock Porusingazi coercively got services and goods from ailing companies without paying for them and is tainted by myriad allegations of moral impropriety.

With such a tainted image, only fools can follow such people.

Zanu-PF renegades must be advised that the support and popularity they enjoyed was courtesy of the Zanu-PF robes they wore.

Once that robe is taken away, you are just as good as a has been.

One can even refer to the Bible.

It would be foolish for the donkey that carried Jesus when he entered Jerusalem, to think that the unprecedented hero welcome that characterised that day was meant for it.

Another visit into the city without Jesus on its back would have proved the donkey’s foolish misconstruction.

Whether you have been a secretary for administration, vice president or the so-called provincial guru, you have no political life without the revolutionary party’s robe.

For those who may think like the Biblical donkey, 2018 will prove them wrong.

If they think 2018 is far, the by-elections to be held soon in Mt Darwin and Chirumhanzu can test their delusions.