Zimbabwe: the next 8 months with Mnanganwa as president

As I celebrate the new transition from Mugabe as the president of Zimbabwe, I am yet to find common sense to put the current president and cabinet on a 100 day watch as we do to an elected executive. I am definitely jovial about the developments in our political arena as it will yield its impact for our future relating to succession and general changing of persons we have to identify as president. However, it’s not an interesting debate for now but my scrutiny to the imminent discourse we are about to face.

We have a new leadership that have 8 months before the next plebiscite scheduled in July 2018. This has been ascertained by the newly inaugurated president ED Mnangangwa. As we celebrated the new political dispensation, we forgot that this will come with a price on us as citizens. The price inform of tax. As the president promulgates his new cabinet, by the culture of ZANU PF, new expensive and top of range cars will be bought for the Ministers as well as their deputies.  I am not sure about the size his cabinet will be, but from history we are speaking of many. Ministers of States will also be appointed and the same will come their way. Lest we forget, the Chiefs are looking forward to their new car as promised by Mugabe, who Mnangagwa calls father, mentor and leader.  We are looking at 80 cabinet members and deputies and 10 ministers of state, approximately 150 vehicles each worth an average of 120 000.00 USD$. As a nation, we are going to spend for these politicians to serve for months. 

My proxy is that the President should understand that it is the populace that legitimized their coup and it’s the public that deserves a Christmas present from our economically ailing fiscus. The decision ED will make here will be a clear resolute to his tenure with the dire need to prolong it through winning 2018 by all means necessary. By rewarding Mugabe 10 million dollars, a figure not known how it was reached raises an eyebrow to a government vying for the anti-corruption mantra.  It could be funny that, the renew Finance Minister P Chinamsa`s son was caught with 8 million dollars at Beitbridge border post. This is no different to the calls that Chombo had 10 miilion in his house. If they are true in fighting corruption, this a clear cut case where the Chinamasa`s son should face the law.

The rhetoric speech on foreign investment by ED is questioned by time. We should understand that ED is coming from a government that took peoples farms, took 51% of foreign owned companies without giving them a single dime. In any investors mind, Zimbabwe thus remains a scary than only a high risk zone for investment coupled with policy instability. Although ED called to compensate white farmers, the question is with what money and where is it coming from considering that he inherited a broke government failing to deal with the cash crisis.

Inasmuch, this government has 7-8 months before elections, the uncertainty and policy instability tainting the ZANU PF regime is a factor any investor would consider.  Whilst, ED gave a wonderful speech on foreign policy and attracting investors, definitely foreign investors will have a wait and see approach before investing in Zimbabwe. The realities coming out seem different. The manner in which political opponents from ZANU PF (the G40) is a dire situation for one to invest in a nation where human rights aren’t upheld.  The fact that they entered and searched Chombos house without a warrant is a complete human right violation. The fact that Chombo and Chipanga were detained and denied legal counsel, detained for more than 48 hours is unconstitutional.  These are benchmarks the investors uses to determine the safety of their monies.

It is my not insignificant advice to the ED that he should refrain from constitutional hypocrisy, detach from lavish expenditure for him and cabinet. As he call bygones be, the past need to be dealt with for us to focus on the future. He should desire to bring home grown solutions and have foreign investment as a bonus to his good and visible success. Lastly, ED should carry the day knowing that in 2018 people might not want him to lead and he should be ready to resign.

Written by: Tinashe Chirape

Email: tinashechirape@gmail.com

+263772293194

Youth Activist, Governance Student, Democracy Champion, Peace Ambassador, Gender apprentice