In a shocking turn of events, Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF, has resorted to recruiting mercenaries in a desperate attempt to counter the growing popularity of opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in the run-up to the 2023 harmonized elections. The images of white teenagers donning ZANU PF shirts as a show of support have raised eyebrows and sparked widespread criticism. This move reveals the extent of ZANU PF’s desperation to hold onto power, despite the suffering endured by Zimbabweans under President Mnangagwa’s rule.

Life in Zimbabwe under Mnangagwa’s leadership has been nothing short of a living nightmare. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that some have likened it to a “hell on earth.” While it is essential to acknowledge that Robert Mugabe’s rule was also characterized by high unemployment and rampant inflation, the current regime has taken things to a new level of misery. People in communities across Zimbabwe are experiencing forced labor at the hands of the Chinese, a collapse of public services, and the constant fear of a politicized police force and ZANU PF militias.

Comparatively speaking, while Mugabe’s rule was oppressive, it did not reach the same depths of brutality and economic devastation seen today. There were no reports of locals being treated as slaves or shot for demanding their wages. Furthermore, there was never a sustained campaign of violence against opposition figures like Nelson Chamisa, who has survived multiple assassination attempts in less than a week.

Mnangagwa’s presidency has left him deeply unpopular among both the populace and within his own party. Even the police and military, who have also been affected by the economic downturn and inflation, have become increasingly restive. Some have turned to armed robberies and even stolen weapons from military armories for personal gain, exacerbating the problem of corruption within the ranks of security forces.

Factionalism within ZANU PF has further exacerbated the situation. Intraparty violence has spilled over into rural areas, where critical food aid is distributed along partisan and factional lines, leaving the majority of the population food insecure. Even the war veterans, who once believed they held sway over ZANU PF, have found themselves marginalized and labeled as traitors.

These factors have all contributed to the growing unpopularity of ZANU PF, which is both unconstitutional and illegitimate in the eyes of many Zimbabweans. ZANU PF’s attempts to hire public relations experts to improve its image have largely failed, with the party’s reputation continuing to deteriorate.

Nelson Chamisa’s rising popularity has become a significant challenge for ZANU PF. The youthful and charismatic opposition leader has managed to garner massive support, even in rural areas that ZANU PF previously considered its strongholds. ZANU PF’s attacks on Chamisa’s age and health have fallen flat, with the Zimbabwean people increasingly disenchanted with the ruling party’s sadistic and criminal behavior.

Chamisa’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life, including women, youth, and traditional leaders, has fueled his grassroots support. This surge in popularity mirrors the early days of ZANU PF’s ascendancy in 1980, a fact that has left the ruling party scrambling to maintain its grip on power.

In a desperate bid to counter Chamisa’s rising star, ZANU PF has now resorted to recruiting mercenaries. This move speaks volumes about the ruling party’s fear of losing power and the lengths to which it is willing to go to maintain its stranglehold on Zimbabwe’s political landscape. It remains to be seen whether this tactic will succeed or if Zimbabweans will reject such desperate measures in favor of real change and a brighter future.