Mugabe address unlikely to offer any solutions to the free-falling economy

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe's planned state-of-the-nation address tomorrow could turn out to a platform to attack Zanu-PF opponents, opposition MDC leader Welshman Ncube has warned.

Mugabe presents his address at a time when his Zanu-PF government is under pressure to turn around the economy and stop the current job cuts, which have claimed the scalps of over 20 000 workers since last month.

However, Ncube told Southern Eye that Mugabe's address, last delivered in 2007, was unlikely to offer any solutions to the free-falling economy.

"One wouldn't know the motivations of Zanu-PF leader, President Robert Mugabe to address the nation. The leader of any country has numerous occasions to address critical issues facing the nation," Ncube said.

"In our case we have at least two important days each year on which the State President has the nation as a captive audience to address the nation. That's the Independence Day and the Heroes Day.

"Over the years these occasions have been used as days for divisive politics instead of unifying politics, platforms for ridiculing other national players and abusing political opponents.

"It is in this context that personally I do not think there will be any departure from the usual blame game and abuse of political opponents. It would be a dump squib."

Ncube said ordinarily, during a state-of-the-nation address Mugabe is expected to give 'a statement on government interventions to any unfolding crisis.