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Zanu PF can't steal Christmas

by Alice Dube
25 Dec 2016 at 06:17hrs | Views
A state media columnist has said it is absurd for people to claim that the ruling Zanu PF has the ability to steal Jesus and Christmas.

The columnist, Bishop Lazarus said Zanu PF should not be overrated.

"How can Zanu-PF steal the light that has been brought by the Son of Man and Son of God? How can Zanu-PF steal the peace that has been brought by the Prince of Peace? How can Zanu-PF steal the "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father?...let's not overrate Zanu-PF." reads part of Sunday's installment.

However, many  Zimbabweans are expected to endure a  bleak Christmas today  and New Year holiday as a result of the country's dying economy, severe cash shortages and rising food prices.

Zimbabwe's economy has been on a downward spiral since the 2013 elections where President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF registered an unexpected victory.

 Former Finance minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Tendai Biti, said it was now 'a public secret' that the Zanu PF government stole Christmas.

"As 2016 draws to an end, the Zimbabwean economy continues to be mired and arrested by a crippling crisis of confidence that is anchored on the structural issues of low productivity, deflation, stagnation and a corrosive macro-economic crisis" he is quoted saying.

Apex chairperson Cecelia Alexander said there was no joy for many civil servants.

"There is nothing to celebrate. Christmas is a special time that we are supposed to spend with families but unfortunately most of the civil servants will not be able to celebrate because they cannot afford to spoil their children or to buy some items," she said.

"We have been struggling this year and our salaries were delayed.

"What makes the whole thing very painful is that it's not every civil servant who will be paid after Christmas, certain sectors are being paid earlier and it's unfair".

 National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (Navuz) chairperson, Sten Zvorwadza told the Daily News that the informal traders had nothing to celebrate as they were worried about "their children's school fees and rentals".

He expected he blamed Mugabe for the troubles, saying the president has "no respect for the people of Zimbabwe".

"As vendors, we can't afford to travel to our rural homes for holiday because of cash shortages. Most of our members will do their business as usual not because they do not value the holidays but because their pockets are empty," Zvorwadza said




Source - Byo24News