By Change Radio Correspontent
In a stunning turn of events, Jacob Mafume, the Mayor of Harare, has seemingly abandoned his constituents and thrown his lot in with the ruling ZANU-PF party. Once seen as a champion of the people, Mafume’s recent actions have left many in the city and across the nation feeling betrayed.
Mafume’s newfound affiliation with ZANU-PF has been on full display as he has been spotted at numerous public events alongside the party’s leadership, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The mayor’s attendance at Mnangagwa’s banquet at the State House has particularly raised eyebrows, with many questioning his true allegiances.
But Mafume’s betrayal runs deeper than mere appearances. He has actively embraced the SADC Summit, even as hundreds of activists were imprisoned to pave the way for the event. This endorsement of ZANU-PF’s heavy-handed tactics has left many in the city feeling abandoned and disillusioned. Moreover, Mafume’s ties to ZANU-PF’s inner circle have become increasingly apparent. His close relationships with figures like Ncube, Bvondo, Hwende, and Tshabangu have fueled suspicions that he has been co-opted by the ruling party, sacrificing the interests of the people he was elected to serve.
The mayor’s attendance at the Chitepo School of Ideology, a ZANU-PF-affiliated institution, has only added to the perception that he has succumbed to the party’s indoctrination. This move, in the eyes of many, represents a betrayal of the democratic values that he was once believed to uphold.
