Opinion / Columnist
Zimbabwe political crisis reaches tipping point
31 Mar 2015 at 10:10hrs | Views
With an absentee ruler who has only chaired one Cabinet meeting since the beginning of 2015, the wheels have virtually come off in Zimbabwe.
The economy continues to be on an unprecedented downward spiral and no less than 300 workers are losing their jobs every week in the fast dwindling formal sector countrywide. The budget deficit is hovering around US$1 billion and it is becoming increasingly obvious that very soon Treasury will run out of money to pay salaries of a bloated civil service that has more than 500 000 employees; the majority of whom are ghost workers. Against this frightening background, it cannot continue to be business as usual. Something has to give.
The MDC is very concerned about the impending massive drought that is just about to ravage the nation. More than 75% of the country received erratic rainfall and the situation in the southern provinces of Masvingo, Matebeleland South, Matebeleland North and parts of the Midlands is nothing short of a complete catastrophe. The Zanu PF regime appears unfazed by the fast approaching humanitarian disaster.
Robert Mugabe is busy hoping from one jet onto another as he continues with his endless and apparently purposeless foreign escapades. Zimbabwe is on auto - pilot and as of now, no contingency measures have been put in place to avert the massive food deficit that is about ravage no less than 7 million Zimbabweans; particularly those living in the poor and marginalised rural areas. The Zanu PF regime is broke and the Treasury coffers are fast running dry. Notwithstanding the penury that is wrecking havoc amongst the generality of the people, Mugabe and his small group of political sycophants and selfish hangers - on are living life on the fast lane. In less than three months, Robert Mugabe has grabbed no less than US$15 million from Treasury to fund his endless and utterly meaningless foreign escapades.
A major political and humanitarian disaster is looming in Zimbabwe. Ordinary people are now living in fear of the State security apparatus. Itai Dzamara was abducted three weeks ago by suspected State security agents and up to now, his whereabouts are unknown. Recently, many people have been threatened with abduction by suspected agents of the faction - ridden and beleaguered Zanu PF regime. We are living in a virtual police state where safety of the citizens can no longer be guaranteed. This is the main reason why the SADC troika on defence and security must convene an urgent summit to look into the deteriorating security and political situation in Zimbabwe.
It is obvious that Robert Mugabe is no longer in control of the levers of State power. There is now a shadowy and Mafia - like gang that is running the State. Cabinet has not been meeting and government ministers are now operating like misguided missiles. There is no cohesion and co - ordination of government planning and execution of executive duties. The Zanu PF regime is now a rag tag grouping of antagonistic and opposing political factions. Things have completely fallen apart. The centre can no longer hold. Zimbabwe has degenerated into a failed state with several and ill - defined centres of power.
SADC and the AU have to immediately intervene in order to save Zimbabwe from complete and total political and socio - economic disintegration. This is a desperate plea for help. Our brothers and sisters on the African continent are hereby called upon to hear our cries for assistance. We are in deep trouble. Africa; please don't forsake the suffering and downtrodden masses of Zimbabwe!
Source - Obert Chaurura Gutu, MDC-T National Spokesperson
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