Is Mugabe birthday bash priority for Zimbabweans?

Political analysts and opposition parties said the Zanu-PF leadership was no longer concerned with the welfare of its people at grassroots level.

This is after the ruling Zanu-PF party has been reportedly planning to splash at least $800 000 on President Robert Mugabe's 92nd birthday bash to be held in the drought-stricken Masvingo province next month.

"They don't care. That is the biggest tragedy that we have as country, and our political leaders do not care about the welfare of our people," analyst Ibbo Mandaza said.

"In the past 10 years, we have had this economic crisis, but this has not stopped Zanu-PF from holding a big bash, bigger each passing year. It's an insult to the people of Masvingo, who are suffering, but it does not stop Zanu-PF from partying in the sea of poverty."

Another analyst Alexander Rusero said: "There is nothing wrong in celebrating the birthday of a leader or even anyone because life is precious. But what is important is the aspect of priority. What is number one priority list of Zanu-PF? Is it to wine and dine in these trying times or is it to ensure human security through providence of political goods such as food? It's ironic actually that the banquet is going to be held in Masvingo, one of the most starving provinces of the country."

Rusero added: "But who knows, maybe President Mugabe will spring a surprise and channel some of the proceeds towards alleviating hunger and starvation in Masvingo. It's too early to judge and pre-empt. Mugabe is a man of surprises."

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said: "This is not surprising to us, but disappointing given the level of starvation our people are going through. It's painful that Zanu-PF wants to spend such a huge amount of money on a nonagenarian leader who has led this country into this calamity.

"We all know that we have had a bad season in terms of rainfall, thanks to this El-Nino, but we believe that Zanu-PF is worse off than El-Nino. That money should have been used to buy maize for the suffering Zimbabweans and it is not surprising that Mugabe and his regime have decided to feed themselves, leaving the ordinary citizen to wallow in poverty."

Former Energy minister and Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe leader Elton Mangoma said: "This shows that the Zanu-PF government has no interest of the people at heart. The moral ground to be a leader with such extravagance that you spend close to $1 million just one day when millions in your country are suffering and your own workers have not yet been paid their bonuses is unheard off."

Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo's mobile phone went unanswered yesterday.