LEADERSHIP CRISES IN AFRICA

A STUDY OF POST COLONIAL ZIMBABWE, 2006 – 2016

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between the neo-patrimonial character of the post-colonial State of Zimbabwe, and its leadership crisis, 2006-2016. The analysis is predicated on the Marxist Theory of post-colonial state and adopted the Ex-post facto research design. The method of data collection for this study is the secondary qualitative method, while content analysis was utilized for the analysis of data. Essentially, we discovered that the military – security complex in Zimbabwe played a leading role to keep ZANU-PF in power, hence they were rewarded with ministerial and ambassadorial appointments, hectares of land and cars. We equally discovered that the Fast Track Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe was a mere political gimmick, as land allocation was tied to support for the ruling ZANU-PF party. Consequently, the study recommends, among other things, that state institutions should be strong and legitimate in order to discourage neo-patrimonial tendency.