THE MERCENARY MACHINATIONS OF ZANU PF: A TOOL FOR CHINESE IMPERIALISM IN ZIMBABWE
At the inception of its liberation struggle, Zanu pf faced a glaring dilemma: the absence of necessary resources. Lacking capital for weapons, the construction of training facilities, and other logistical needs such as food and uniforms, Zanu pf was precariously positioned, making it susceptible to external influences. This vulnerability marked the beginning of a shift, where Chinese interests gradually took precedence over the welfare of the Zimbabwean people, a concern that has since been long neglected.
The progression of Zanu pf’s involvement in the liberation campaigns inadvertently transformed it into a mercenary force, unwittingly entangled in a game whose rules it scarcely comprehended. This lack of awareness and strategic foresight led to the establishment of Chinese imperial interests in a theoretically independent Zimbabwe, post-liberation. The essence of Zanu pf’s struggle was overshadowed by the looming shadow of China’s ambitions, with the former playing a pivotal role in ensuring the latter’s dominance and interests in Zimbabwe.
To cement its influence, China sought to exploit the political naivety of Zanu pf, pushing the party towards adopting a political system fundamentally opposed to capitalism—a move aimed at maintaining Zimbabwe’s subservience to Chinese directives. Consequently, Zanu pf, acting as a Chinese proxy, was positioned as a perpetual guardian of China’s burgeoning imperialistic ventures.
The concept of political reforms, characterized by the principles of free and fair elections, posed a significant threat to both Chinese interests and Zanu pf’s ambitions for primitive accumulation. Such electoral processes would disrupt the symbiotic relationship between China and Zanu pf, potentially leading to a democratic transition that would challenge the status quo and undermine the authoritarian political framework favored by Zanu pf—a framework that facilitated the party’s aspirations to establish a one-party state.
A democratic transition in Zimbabwe, spurred by long-overdue political reforms, would necessitate a non-partisan, apolitical police and military, accountable to the rule of law rather than being tools for the perpetuation of Zanu pf’s opportunistic and mercenary objectives. Such a transition would also cultivate an environment where media suppression, a hallmark of Zanu pf’s governance, is intolerable. In a democratic society, accountability and transparency are paramount, principles diametrically opposed to the controlled and manipulated state media, which thrives on suppressing objective reporting on issues such as the exploitation by Chinese interests or the extravagant lifestyles of government officials amid widespread poverty.
The resistance to political reforms by Zanu pf is thus not merely a matter of political strategy but an existential crisis. Political reforms threaten the very foundation of the symbiotic relationship between Zanu pf and China, jeopardizing the opportunities for illicit wealth accumulation that this partnership affords. The narrative of Zanu pf’s liberation struggle has been eclipsed by the party’s transformation into a mercenary entity, serving not the interests of the Zimbabwean people, but those of a foreign imperial power. This revelation calls for a critical reevaluation of Zimbabwe’s political landscape, demanding a shift towards genuine independence, democracy, and the prioritization of the welfare of its citizens over external interests.
