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of harmonised elections set for July 31.

Why do I have this strange feeling that this grand standing is probably being made for United States of America president Barack whose expanded visit to Africa started on June 26?

Since the US president will also be visiting South Africa, it now looks like everyone wants to be seen to be championing democracy in Zimbabwe. How pathetic!
But, it is the double standards within the MDC formations which I find most incredulous, double standards that make it look like July 31 was a date that they were never really party to, especially Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

While we are used to his threats to quit, withdraw and/or boycott despite the fact that he has been looking forward to presidential elections in the past decade, we ask when these gimmicks will come to an end. Are they for the people or they are for personal aggrandisement?

Notwithstanding what is before the courts, let me bring to the attention of our dear readers a few timelines which the MDC-T leader made on his own volition. He has said so much about elections and in most cases, outfoxing, agreeing and disagreeing with the timelines he set for himself.

In all those instances, we never heard Mr Tsvangirai saying that he had consulted with other principals in the Global Political Agreement, let alone the President.
But, we hear a lot about diplomatic offences in the region and internationally, and we also hear his hues and cries that President Mugabe acted unilaterally, despite the differences in their mandates.

Since the formation of the inclusive Government, elections were the MDC-T’s drum beat. A content analysis of the Zimbabwean narrative since 2008 will show that one of the most written about word is “elections”. A few examples suffice.

Let me start with the earliest date – February 13, 2013 when PM Tsvangirai said he hoped the harmonised elections would be held in “July” after the referendum on the draft constitution.

Cris Chinaka of Reuters wrote that when the MDC-T leader was asked about the date for elections at a human rights forum he “simply said, ‘July’”.
According to the Reuters report, the MDC-T leader also said “he did not fear a repeat of violence that overshadowed disputed polls in 2008”.

Asked for comment, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo told Reuters, “That time frame is in tandem with what we as a party have been working with, but the confirmation and actual dates will be confirmed by the president”.

Had PM Tsvangirai arrived at “July” by way of consensus with other partners in the GPA or it was just a month that popped in his head?
Since the outstanding issues are related to human rights, why was he not quizzed about the reforms – completion and/or non-completion thereof?

Why did these rights groups suddenly become very active after the Supreme Court ruled that elections be held by July 31? According to Mr Tsvangirai’s assessment on February 13, it was possible to hold elections in July, so, what happened to impede the progress that he has always sought, considering that the new Constitution was given a massive thumbs-up?

Why did July become problematic after Mr Jealousy Mawarire filed a court application compelling President Mugabe to announce the election date?
Another flashback that goes to show how PM Tsvangirai wanted elections as early as yesterday since he felt that the inclusive Government was a marriage of convenience is September 24, 2010 when he told CNN’s Robyn Curnow that, “The country will not move forward unless you have a credible and legitimate election, so we have to get that mandate. The time will have to be decided on the timing of it but certainly going to election is the one that will provide that exit strategy.”

So, why this dragging of feet as if people are being forced to enter another marriage of convenience?
The real gem is the April 28, 2011 declaration where PM Tsvangirai told his supporters that Zimbabwe was going to “hold elections in 12 months”, which meant elections were supposed to be held by April 28, 2012.

Addressing MDC-T supporters at a congress in Bulawayo on that day, PM Tsvangirai said, “In 12 months time we will have an election in this country. Let it be peaceful … We are the next government of this country… People’s will must be respected (in the next elections). The outcome of the polls must not be contested”.

What happened to the 12 months between April 28, 2011 and April 28, 2012? Was this political grandstanding? Did it mean that the outstanding issues would have been dealt with? Was the “in 12 months time” also unilateral or it was something known and agreed with other partners in the GPA?

But, it is also quite easy to note how this dragging of feet was in actual fact a ploy used to buy time and also in some instances gain acceptance by the regional and continental blocs Sadc and the African Union, respectively.

On May 1, 2011, PM Tsvangirai admitted to his supporters in Bulawayo that, “Our brothers in Sadc have been supportive of our endeavor of democratising Zimbabwe. We hope Sadc and the AU will continue to support our efforts to reject attempts to manipulate the will of the people and remain resolute in their approach in dealing with the Zimbabwe issue”.

I hope dear reader you read the inconsistencies in the PM’s statements. At one point, he is raring to go, ostensibly to form the next government, but when you think that he has arrived, he makes a u-turn, and seeks some hand-holding.

But it seems as though the hue and cry to Sadc has paid dividends. The organisation that started off as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, which also came out of the Frontline States is leaving some of us with many unanswered questions.

The recent Maputo Extra-Ordinary Summit is a case in point. Was this Summit a result of the proclamation of the election date made by President Mugabe or was it a follow-up on the Extra-Ordinary Summit held on the sidelines of the OAU/AU Golden Jubilee in which the Sadc spokesperson, Dr. Salamao Tomaz said, “The Summit took note that the

Constitution was concluded and the next step is the election, whether it’s held within one month, two months, three months or the next six months, it is up to those in power to decide? We are waiting to hear the ruling of the Supreme Court, and as Sadc we will be there to support . . . We are basically waiting for the announcement of the day of the election so that we move this process forward”.

The million dollar question is why Sadc did not move the process forward in Maputo, but instead created a situation that has resulted in so many applications before the Constitutional Court?

Is there precedence to the Maputo Summit, whose June 15 communiqué reads in part: “Summit acknowledged the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe on the elections date and agreed on the need for the Government of Zimbabwe to engage the Constitutional Court to seek more time beyond 31 July 2013 deadline for the holding of Harmonised Elections”.

As ordinary citizens we need to be educated about the interpretations and implications of both communiqués from the Addis Ababa Extra-Ordinary Summit in May and the Extra-Ordinary Summit in Maputo, a fortnight later.

Interestingly, are the events in Zimbabwe, Democratic People’s Republic of Congo and Madagascar the only pressing issues to seize the regional bloc considering that the former Mozambican rebel group Renamo has been carrying out some deadly skirmishes, the latest being a day after the Sadc Extra-Ordinary Summit?

As the date draws nigh some people continue to cry that the nation is not ready, and this is evidenced by the “chaotic” nature of the primary elections from all parties.
The reality on the ground for Sadc and the AU was captured by a senior MDC-T member, Ms Grace Kwinjeh who said on her Facebook post on June 25, 2013: “What I sent to the MDC leadership last week. For the record I am not accepting the charade that took place in Makoni Central.

“Keep me in your prayers: I have spoken to Mr Marima, and have come to sad conclusion that I will not participate in a sham process that some people in the Manicaland province are pushing for in order, through intimidation and vote buying to bring success for their candidate.

“I won the last election and when some people found it difficult to announce me the winner, working together with their preferred candidate, they disrupted the process, in order to buy time and get this seat by hook or crook.

“I left Zimbabwe many years ago, and I fail to relate to some ways we do things, such as the way the party has handled the Makoni Central election.
“I have worked hard; have not blackmailed the party or any leaders, to the fact that I am the only female, my sacrifices to this struggle and even by coming home what I stand to lose.

“Double standards at a broader national level, at which even some constituencies are said to have been reserved for women. I do not have the energy to fight senseless battles, to put people’s lives who have remained faithful to me their chosen candidate, to any further risks.

“I do not belong to any faction. I support our party and pray that we rise collectively to meet the expectations of those who have died, been maimed for this cause.
“The bulk of Zimbabweans who have lost faith in us as (a) party, have because of this kind of behaviour. They judge us not by what we say but we do. I hope you can bring this to the attention of the party leadership, thank you and God bless you!!”

I therefore humbly ask PM Tsvangirai where is reform needed most?
Saludos!