Chris Blattman

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Will Zimbabwe start to look more like South Africa, or will South Africa go the way of Zimbabwe?

Writing in the WSJ, R.W. Johnson is worried about judicial meddling by the ruling ANC. But that’s the least of it:

Another is the greatly enhanced role of “war vets” — veterans of the ANC’s armed struggle against apartheid. Worryingly, as in Zimbabwe, many of those who dress up in army fatigues and carry out war dances and marches are actually far too young to have served in the armed struggle, which ended 18 years ago.

This raises the specter that we may be seeing the creation of a group of party “storm troopers” to be used as bullies and enforcers, on the Mugabe model. Moreover, particularly among the hypermilitant ANC Youth League, there is a great deal of violent language, with promises to “die for Zuma” and even “shoot to kill for Zuma.”

Fear mongering or farsightedness? Personally, I don’t like the anti-democratic rumbling and the sense of entitlement coming from ANC spokespeople these past weeks.

The full article is here.

3 Responses

  1. I would aver that the ANCYL and YCL ‘militants’ are nowhere near as violent as those in Zim. Here in SA, especially with the recent breakaway from the ANC, there is a substantial positive feeling, regardless of the talk by bozos like Zwelenzima Vavi and Julius Malema (of ‘kill for Zuma’ infamy). Moreover, in recent by-elections in the Western Cape where the ANC provincial membership did not get their applications in on time specific wards were taken by the new party (COPE) as well as the well-established DA. To me, regardless of the rhetoric against the legislature, these are positve signs for South Africa’s democracy.

  2. Sadly Chris, Zimbabwe is sinking so fast that I don’t think it’s possible for any other country to catch up.

    This goes back to the difference of opinion you and I had about Mbeki’s diplomatic efforts. I’m willing to put a fair share of blame on Mbeki’s shoulders for the disastrous situation that Zim is in now.

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