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NewsDay

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Mugabe’s govt should listen to citizens

Opinion & Analysis
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s regime despite claims it is a pro-poor administration continue to literally indicate left but turn right.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s regime despite claims it is a pro-poor administration continue to literally indicate left but turn right. NewsDay Comment

Our government has shown little appetite to listen to ordinary people’s views and the rushed decision to introduce the Zimbabwe dollar through the back door is a clear indication of how this government is willing to do everything in its power despite the consequences on the poor.

Echoes of the demonitisation of the Zimdollar still linger long in the minds of millions of Zimbabweans. Many were turned into paupers overnight, while others lost insurance policies and pension funds.

But this government has not shown any shred of remorse. There is no trust between the government and its citizens, hence any policy proposals without a buy-in from the public are likely to fail.

The lack of consensus not only within government, but among citizens over the bond notes is clear testimony to the chaos in our economy.

There is no doubt that RBZ governor John Mangudya is passionate about this country — he is determined to leave a mark by making this economy work again.

But he can only do little in his quest to turnaround the economy, given he does not have enough legroom like his predecessor Gideon Gono.

There is clearly no political will from the Zanu PF and government leadership, who are reportedly eager to see Mangudya fail so they could immediately seize his well-meaning strategy and twist it to score cheap political goals.

Is this what Zimbabweans want? No, the majority only wants policies that will help them fulfil their aspirations.

Mugabe must ensure government embraces RBZ strategies and walk the talk by kick-starting the fight against endemic corruption within the country’s leadership.

Sadly, it appears Mugabe no longer has the wherewithal to control his wayward subordinates — some Cabinet ministers and top party officials — who are keen to make the most out of the economic collapse gripping the nation.

Mugabe’s government has failed the people and future generations. The introduction of any currency needs to be supported by requisite production from industry and commerce as well as enough exports to attract not only foreign currency, but also new money into the economy.

Zimbabwe has none of those but a $200 million loan from the Afrexim Bank. While we cannot claim to be fundis in this area, simple sense tells us government should just have pumped the loan into the economy to reduce shortages. But better still government should bite the bullet, throw its ego out of the window and officially join the Rand Monetary Union.

South Africa, by government’s own admission, is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner. The firming of the US dollar and fall in value of the rand has affected whatever modicum of stability there was in the teetering Zimbabwean economy.

But a decision to adopt the rand as the official currency could help alleviate the uncertainty and anxiety in the economy.

There are genuine fears by citizens that the introduction of the bond notes or “return of the bearer cheques” will result in massive erosion of the little savings they had begun to build in the past few years since the adoption of the greenback.

In the coming days there will be a run on the little deposits in our banks and everyone’s fears are that the black market will flourish. We are sure those in power are waiting for this with glee because it is from whence that they have made much of their ill-gotten wealth.

We pity Mangudya, we pity the governor. It’s like the Zanu PF vultures are prowling around the economic carcass that is Zimbabwe.

Let us right these fundamentals –Zimbabwe.