By Staff Reporter.
In the ancient biblical tale, a crowd stood before Pontius Pilate with a fateful choice: release Jesus Christ, the embodiment of hope, redemption, and moral righteousness, or free Barabbas, a notorious criminal and insurrectionist. Shockingly, swayed by manipulation and short-sighted fervor, the masses cried out for Barabbas, sealing the fate of their true savior. Fast-forward to modern Zimbabwe, and history echoes this tragedy with chilling precision. In the elections of 2018 and 2023, the people were offered Nelson Chamisa – a leader with a clear, citizen-centered vision for reform and renewal – yet they, or rather the rigged system, elevated Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, a figure whose rise mirrors Barabbas in deceit, violence, and constitutional plunder. As Zimbabwe teeters on the brink of authoritarian entrenchment, it’s time to recognize Mnangagwa for what he is: our contemporary Barabbas. And just as the biblical choice led to regret and ruin, so too will ours if we don’t unite to halt his destructive path.
The Coup: Celebrating the Fall of One Tyrant, Only to Crown Another.
Mnangagwa’s ascent to power in 2017 was no democratic triumph, it was a military coup d’état orchestrated by General Constantino Chiwenga, cloaked in the guise of liberation from Robert Mugabe’s iron grip. Zimbabweans danced in the streets as Mugabe fell, believing the end of his era heralded a new dawn. But the jubilation was premature and misguided. The coup’s architects justified their actions by claiming Mugabe was encircled by “criminals” – a narrative that rang hollow when no key figures from his inner circle, such as Jonathan Moyo, Kasukuwere faced sentencing for alleged crimes. Instead, Moyo and others have resurfaced as allies in Mnangagwa’s regime, aiding in the systematic dismantling of Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework. What began as a promise of cleansing has devolved into an administration where corruption isn’t just tolerated – it’s the order of the day. TheGold Mafia documentary, laid bare the rot at the heart of Mnangagwa’s rule. It exposed how vast quantities of Zimbabwe’s gold – a national treasure meant to bolster the economy – are smuggled to foreign capitals through illicit channels, enriching a select elite while ordinary citizens languish in poverty. This is emblematic of a leadership that prioritizes personal gain over public good, much like Barabbas, who represented chaos and self-interest over the salvation offered by Christ.
Rigged Elections and the Suppression of Hope:
2018 and 2023 as Biblical Betrayals, the 2018 elections should have been a turning point. The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A) under Chamisa presented a robust manifesto outlining economic revival, anti-corruption measures and social justice. Yet, through electoral manipulation, Mnangagwa claimed victory. When protesters took to the streets in outrage, his response was swift and brutal, the military, under General Philip Valerio Sibanda (then Sigauke in some reports), was deployed, resulting in the deaths of unarmed civilians. This wasn’t governance, it was repression. Undeterred, Mnangagwa turned his sights on dismantling the opposition. Using the courts as a weapon, he empowered Douglas Mwonzora to fracture the MDC-A from within, leading to its effective destruction. Chamisa and his allies regrouped under the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), emerging stronger with a 2023 manifesto that promised tangible reforms, such as scrapping examination fees for Grade 7 and Ordinary Level students to make education accessible to all. But the 2023 polls were a farce from the start. Held amid widespread protests and reports of violence, the environment was anything but free and fair. Mnangagwa abused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), suppressing voters in urban opposition strongholds by delaying or withholding ballot papers entirely in Harare and other urban constituencies where the opposition has more support. International observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) condemned the process as flawed and uncredible. Despite the rigging, the opposition managed to deny Zanu-PF a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate – a small victory in a sea of injustice.
The Constitutional Assault: From Barabbas to Would-Be Emperor:
Faced with this setback, Mnangagwa revealed his true Barabbas-like cunning. He sponsored Sengezo Tshabangu, a political charlatan, to hijack the CCC through judicial machinations. The Speaker of Parliament ignored directives from Chamisa, the legitimate CCC president and 2023 presidential candidate, allowing Tshabangu to recall opposition MPs and senators. The goal? To manufacture a two-thirds majority for Zanu-PF, paving the way for constitutional amendments that would entrench Mnangagwa’s power indefinitely.The proposed bill is a blueprint for dictatorship. It seeks to abolish direct presidential elections, shifting the selection to Parliament – a body Mnangagwa can manipulate. Proponents claim it’s modeled after South Africa’s system, where the president is chosen by MPs. But this is a deliberate distortion. In South Africa, voters elect parties through proportional representation, which ensures even small political parties can secure seats based on their share of the vote. According to Prof. Madhuku, Zimbabwe cannot simply copy South Africa because South Africa did not hold a referendum to determine its current constitution. Furthermore, Zimbabwe’s constitutional amendments propose the direct appointment of judges by the president, a move obviously bypasses the consultative ‘South African way.’ Some analysts suggest Zimbabwe’s version favors ZANU-PF’s dominance, resembling a one-party model more than a competitive democracy. It risks sparking widespread violence and extinguishing opposition politics altogether. Worse still, the bill allows the president to hand-pick 10 additional Senate members, stacking the deck alongside the 18 traditional chiefs already in Zanu-PF’s pocket. And in a brazen grab for longevity, it extends presidential terms from five to seven years. With Mnangagwa’s current term ending in 2028, this would gift him an extra two years until 2030, under the flimsy pretext of “finishing programs.” Constitutional expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku dismissed this as absurd, likening it to a student demanding extra exam time after failing to prepare. This isn’t reform, it’s regression. Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution, approved by over 90% in a national referendum, defines our national identity and safeguards our freedoms. Mnangagwa knows he’s unpopular, so he bypasses the people, forcing changes without a referendum. If we let this Barabbas proceed, what’s to stop him from awakening one day to ban elections entirely and declare himself a monarch?
A Call to Arms: Unite Against Barabbas, Defend Our Zimbabwe
The biblical crowd’s choice of Barabbas over Christ led to centuries of reflection on human folly. Zimbabwe cannot afford such a legacy. Mnangagwa’s rule – born of a coup, sustained by corruption, rigging and violence, and now threatening to devour our democracy – must end. All democratic forces, from civil society to ordinary citizens, must rally to protect the constitution. Demand a referendum on any changes; reject the rigged amendments; and hold leaders accountable through peaceful, unified action.
We were presented with a champion-leader in Chamisa, but manipulation and myopia led us to Barabbas. Now, as the shadows of authoritarianism lengthen, it’s not too late to correct course. Zimbabweans, stop Barabbas at all costs – our future depends on it.
