If there is one thing Zimbabweans are desperate for, it is for their government to take responsibility and to stop passing the buck each time an issue arises.
NEWSDAY COMMENT
The government has come up with the most disingenuous ways to dodge responsibility, first claiming that a third force was responsible for the protests in Beitbridge over the banning of certain imports.
When they saw that Zimbabweans were not buying that, they claimed that a mass stay-away was the work of French and United States ambassadors, now a statement by war veterans is being attributed to a fifth column.
There is no telling who or what will be blamed for the next protest or statement. But all this is bordering on absurdity and it is time the government had a long introspection. It is as if authorities are saying Zimbabweans are an unthinking lot with no agency of their own and need an external hand to direct them.
The government seems content with meek Zimbabweans, who readily turn the other cheek no matter how heavy the first blow was.
However, Zanu PF should know that Zimbabweans are tired of their present circumstances and are desperate for a better life and no matter how much the government tries to deflect the simmering tensions, the people of this country have had enough and will continue to speak out.
Instead of always playing the blame game, the government must look at what is causing the wave of discontent and try to address it, without always trying to crush dissent.
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It is high time the Zanu PF government stopped treating Zimbabweans with disdain and instead it should become responsive to people’s concerns.
President Robert Mugabe and his Cabinet ministers should dump all manner of aloofness and leave their ivory towers and be seen, for once, to be working for the people.
Even if it were a third force, fifth column, Western embassies or whatever fantasy they may dream up next, what is wrong with Zimbabweans demanding an end to corruption, widespread poverty and an improvement in their lives?
These are legitimate issues that people are bringing to the fore that have nothing to do with regime change or neo-colonialism – Zanu PF’s favourite red herrings.
Mugabe won an election on the back of improving the economy and employment creation and three years later he is yet to make good on his election pledges. And when Zimbabweans ask what happened to those promises, they are accused of plotting to unseat him and being traitorous.
No matter how much they pass the buck and deflect on issues, Mugabe and his government must know that Zimbabweans’ voices will only grow louder as long as their circumstances do not improve and it is high time the government took responsibility for its failures.
