In capitals across the globe, from Ottawa to Seoul, Mombasa to Sydney, there exists a shadow that haunts Zimbabweans living abroad—the perpetual violation of their fundamental constitutional liberties by the ruling party, ZANU PF. Among the many rights infringed upon, the most glaring is the right to vote. ZANU PF’s aversion to the diaspora vote, which leans toward the opposition, reveals its deep-seated fear of a politically informed constituency that defies the usual native political apathy.

Ironically, ZANU PF gladly welcomes remittances from the very diaspora it disenfranchises. These funds serve a dual purpose: they do not threaten the party’s entrenched hold on power, and they provide an avenue for rent-seeking and patronage. Some might even argue that ZANU PF deliberately forces its own citizens into the diaspora to generate the foreign currency it cannot muster at home, only to expropriate it later.

In the last election, had the diaspora vote been realized and added to the two million votes garnered by the charismatic opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, ZANU PF would have seen its decades-long grip on power slipping away. The consequences would have been profound—restoration of the rule of law, equality before the law, transparency, and accountability. Corrupt politicians would have found themselves behind bars, stripped of their ill-gotten gains. This was a scenario ZANU PF was determined to avoid at all costs.

To safeguard its position against the combined power of both local and diaspora votes supporting the opposition, ZANU PF cited technicalities such as security and funding as reasons to exclude the diaspora from the electoral process. This, despite the interest of international funders keen on promoting a fully-fledged democratic Zimbabwe by supporting the crucial diaspora vote. The sidelining of the diaspora revealed ZANU PF’s insecurities and underlying fears.

Remittances, on the other hand, expose ZANU PF’s hypocrisy, incompetence, and failure. They are a symptom of a dysfunctional economy that drives Zimbabweans to seek better opportunities abroad. The exploitation faced by these migrants, often due to lack of proper documentation, highlights the dire circumstances they escape. Moreover, remittances indicate a dependent native population relying on funds earned by those frustrated by ZANU PF’s politics of marginalization, exclusion, rent-seeking, and inconsistent economic policies.

The diaspora represents a politically frustrated and informed constituency that understands the need for civilian engagement, participation in governance, and the importance of accountability and transparency. ZANU PF, despite its reliance on remittances, fears the potential of this diaspora force to bring about change through the vote.

But how do remittances benefit ZANU PF? In an economy marked by runaway inflation and exorbitant living costs, ZANU PF benefits from a pacified population receiving remittances in more stable foreign currencies like Rands, US dollars, pounds, and Euros. With a politically apathetic population, ZANU PF can continue to exploit the country’s resources while preserving its power, using the threat of repression to maintain control.

Additionally, ZANU PF has its tentacles in various sectors, such as public transport and the fuel industry, where services and products are sold in foreign currencies. Mopping up foreign currency from remittances is essential for the party’s operations and maintaining control over key sectors of the economy. This cycle of financial manipulation keeps ZANU PF in power and allows cartels to thrive.

To counter ZANU PF’s grip, the diaspora can leverage decentralized finance, digital money, and cryptocurrencies to bypass the party’s access to foreign currencies. Financial literacy and self-sufficient systems can reduce the influence of cartels, ultimately weakening ZANU PF. Initiatives like investments in small-scale agriculture and sustainable energy solutions can disrupt cartels and deny them access to foreign currency. Without the diaspora vote, strategic initiatives can erode ZANU PF’s power through attrition.

In conclusion, ZANU PF’s fear of the diaspora vote and its reliance on remittances to maintain power reveal the party’s vulnerabilities. The diaspora, by harnessing innovative solutions and taking strategic actions, has the potential to weaken ZANU PF and push for the democratic change Zimbabwe deserves.