Patrick Chinamasa was the Zanu PF candidate for the Makoni Central House of Assembly seat in the March 2008 elections.
He was defeated by the Movement for Democratic Change candidate, John Nyamande. He polled 4 050 votes against Nyamande's 7 060.
President Mugabe appointed him to the Senate in August 2008 and subsequently swore him in as Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs in January the following year.
It is highly unlikely that he will win the seat come elections next year. The reasons he lost it are as valid today as they were then. It is clear that his political life depends on Mugabe's magnanimity. He is not the only one who finds his political fortunes hinged on those of one individual. That is what makes him and like-minded individuals in Zanu PF a danger to peace.
The danger he poses was manifested in the interview he gave to the BBC last week. In the interview he said that the military and veterans of the 1970s liberation war would rise against Morgan Tsvangirai if he wins the presidential elections.
Not only has Chinamasa taken it upon himself to be the spokesman of the two groups, but also, the tone of his words implies that he is ready to incite the groups to subvert the popular will.
The language Chinamasa has chosen to use is quite inflammatory and can easily turn into hate speech. We have seen how the war vets have acted in the past when they have taken the law into their own hands with the backing of the military.
Hundreds of people have died in the past 12 years at the hands of paramilitary gangs who have been incited by Zanu PF's political leadership. The scenario is likely to repeat itself if people like Chinamasa continue to use stirring language during a time when the country is going through such a delicate phase.
Chinamasa should know that ultimately, it is the people who decide whom they want to be ruled by and politicians who have failed, and are unlikely to win future elections, must explore other career paths.
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After such utterences, why should the international community be involved to rescue poor Zimbabweans from the grip of dictators who are greedy and selfish, people who do not think about the nation but themselves and their families. I read Chiwenga's story today and learnt that he has got more than 21 properties. Tell me, why should such a person be bothered to have free and fair election? This is the reason why mugabe and zanu pf do not want foreign intervention. Its not like they want to protect the gains of liberation, no, they want to stay in power forever, protecting their lootings in the name of protecting sovereignty. I say Tsvangirai need to work up and not be blinded by flying and driving nice cars or else he will end up like the rest who perished at the hands of mugabe and zanu pf. I say if the army and mugabe do not want to leave power when defeated in the next elections, lets do it the Ivory Coast way. Libya had foreign intervention, today the Libians are free and no foreigner is ruling Libya. These African dictators will never give up unless something drastic is done to them. The international community should realise that Zimbabweans do not control guns and all other suppressive materials which mugabe and zanu pf have. For how long are we going to suffer at the hands of these thugs and murderers whilst the international is watching. Corruption is rampant and the law is selectively applied. Mugabe and zanu pf are worse than ian smith, thats a fact.
Chinamasa is just a very scared old man. We are not going to be cowed by people who are not going to be around very soon. These people they know what truth does and they are scared. Even if there will be a military coup the issue is Zanu (PF) will not be in power and real solders they know what is good for them and that thing is not ZANU (PF). Even if there are that unprofessional they can put a coup together because if they could they could have done that with Mugabe long back. CDE Chinamasa has nothing else to say but to threaten with the hope of being voted. I will prefer to face the real monster than the one in sheep's cloth.
Chinamasa is just a very scared old man. We are not going to be cowed by people who are not going to be around very soon. These people they know what truth does and they are scared. Even if there will be a military coup the issue is Zanu (PF) will not be in power and real solders they know what is good for them and that thing is not ZANU (PF). Even if there are that unprofessional they cannot plan successful a coup because if they could they could have done that with Mugabe long back. CDE Chinamasa has nothing else to say but to threaten with the hope of being voted. I will prefer to face the real monster than the one in sheep's cloth.