Categories: Stories

Twenty years ago- There is no opposition in heaven

Debate on the introduction of a one-party state in Zimbabwe has been on and off for the past year. Although the matter seemed to have been resolved when President Mugabe said it would not be legislated, he has nevertheless since said it is still the goal of his ruling party to establish a one-party state.

It has never been clearly stated why a one-party state is necessary except that it will enhance unity and that it is desirable because “we should live as one family under one party”.

When Malawi introduced its one party state 25 years ago, a permanent secretary gave the following reason for the need to have a one party state:

“There is no opposition in heaven. God himself does not want opposition- that is why he chased Satan away. Why should Kamuzu have opposition?”

Mbare East Member of Parliament Tony Gara will probably take some comfort in this.

-From The Insider February 1991

(119 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Zimbabwe third among the least free countries in SADC

Zimbabwe has been ranked third among the least free countries in Southern Africa but it…

May 24, 2026

Why I had a girlfriend two months after my wife’s death- Take 1

I had always considered it a curse for a wife to die before her husband.…

May 18, 2026

Why I had a girlfriend two months after my wife’s death

This is a true story about the challenges and loneliness I faced when my wife…

May 17, 2026

Coming soon

My first long-form article in booklet form: Why I had a girlfriend two months after…

May 16, 2026

Insider Publisher starts whatsapp channel

The editor and publisher of The Insider, Charles Rukuni, has started a whatsapp channel through…

May 15, 2026

Who propped whom: Masiyiwa vs Nyambirai?

A friend who knows about my legal battle with Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, way…

May 1, 2026