The word povo is a derogatory name for the masses. It was widely used during Zimbabwe’s war of liberation largely by the then freedom fighters that always saw themselves as occupying a superior role than other citizens in the struggle against colonialism. It is noted that this unequal distribution of power between the military and the civilians has continued unabated in ways that have reversed democratic freedoms for most citizens in Zimbabwe.

While acknowledging that some men and women of the military have served our country with distinction, we cannot be oblivious to the fact that the military junta has always been with us. Pretentiously presenting themselves as civilian at every election since 1980, the military has continually fooled the populace with slogans such as ‘Power to the people’ ‘One man one vote’ ‘100% total empowerment’. The truth for many Zimbabweans has been obvious – more than 100% power to the military and no free vote.

With high regard for themselves, little regard for the truth and no regard for the people they call ‘povo’, the military has adversely affected the lives of most Zimbabweans even in peace times. Their seniors have openly declared several times in the past that they won’t salute anyone except a president with military credentials, thus scampering any hope for a democratic civilian government in Zimbabwe.

What if for example, the ‘povo’ also took a stand to deny the military any glimpse of legitimacy, embarked on civil disobedience, refused to vote for any military persons or refused to pay taxes to a military establishment? Despite its fair share of challenges in the past, the MDC party led by Morgan Tsvangirai should be commended for standing its ground on behalf of the people against the bully tactis of the military. So far, the systematic annihilation of opposition activists, the incaceration of MDC supporters and leaders, the confiscation of travel documents, has not caused the people to waver. In essence, the power-sharing talks continues to be a tusle between a hawkish military and a civilian constituent.

The contempt and disdain the military has on the civilian constituent has been clear even at these talks. Below are some of the glaring examples still vivid in the memory of most Zimbabweans, on how the needles militarisation of our socio-political discourse in Zimbabwe has brought the country to its knees.

-The Z$50 000 gratuities forcefully squeezed out of the national treasury by war veterans in the late 1990s causing inflationary ripple effects in a once vibrant economy. This excludes the vulture like syndrome that attended this exercise with corruptive repercussions.

-The military’s murderous escapade in Midlands and Matabeleland in the early 1980s against a defenceless civilian population, now a key issue affecting the ‘ceding of powers of government’ by Robert Mugabe and a lack of leadership renewal within ruling party structures.

-The military’s private venture in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1990s which bore no tangible benefits to the people of Zimbabwe, except to create secret millionaires within the military and quicken the establishment of the basket case economy we now contend with.

-The violent seizure of white owned farms as a self-preservationist strategy by the military, which led to loss of life and high levels of unemployment in most sectors of the economy, when other legal and non-violent routes could have been pursued.

-Operation ‘Murambatsvina’ or ‘Remove the filth’ which left scores of civilians’ homeless.
-The militarisation of most civic posts in government departments at the expense of talent possessed by some civilians
-The ostracising of businesspersons and civic groupings with no military credentials or connections

-Pre and post-election violence since 1980 so as to maintain a military status quo reminiscent of a siege under the guise of civilian rule. It is noted that media and technology has been used to good effect in 2008 to expose the brutality visited upon the people of Zimbabwe by the military post 29 March 2008 poll. The gruesome pictures and experiences of the victims have served to open old wounds and harden resolve against further abuse by the military – not even in a naïve concept of power sharing arrangement which negates the free will of the people.

Due to lack of trust between the military and the civilian constituents in various spheres of life, it is not surprising that the power sharing deal continues to elude its proponents. Not until the povo mentality within the military is vanquished.

by Dr Icarbord Tshabangu - a researcher on Education and Citizenship on Zimbabwe (based in the UK) Email: icarbord@hotmail.com