Mugabe's cash demands incense residents

FORMER President Mr Robert Mugabe's demands to be paid his half a million pension and monthly pension of $13 000 in cash when the country is in dire economic distress has courted the wrath of Mutare residents who rubbished the development as overly insensitive and selfish.

Mr Mugabe's demands come at a time when the new Government under President Emmerson Mnangagwa is working tirelessly to repair the economic damage and restore the lost business confidence in the country.

In a snap survey on the streets of Mutare, residents told The Manica Post that Mr Mugabe should stop acting like he owned the country, which he ironically drove into the economic doldrums that choked it.

The residents said Mr Mugabe should in fact be remorseful and not make any demands especially in the wake of the cash shortages that have created endless queues at banks and the deterioration of most services from Government departments.

They squarely put the blame of the current bad economic patch on Mr Mugabe's poor economic policies and his way of governance.

Lawyer Mr Tendai Amon Toto said Mr Mugabe was being insensitive to the plight of the poor.

"Instead of demanding pension payouts in cash, Mr Mugabe should donate pensions to charity particularly the Old People's homes as good will gesture. He has resources outside these pensions for sustenance," said Mr Toto.

Lilian Checha (60) of Mushunje in Chief Marange had this to say:

"Mugabe must swallow a humble pie and be humane because during his tenure in office, he was the one who made us suffer. He must also sleep on the streets waiting to access cash and feel the pinch of his economic bungling. I am appealing to all banks approached by Mugabe not to give him even a cent or entertain him because out here it's very cold when it comes to the issue of cash."

Some residents could not, but wonder where Mr Mugabe's wild demands were coming from at a time the ordinary Zimbabwean is the hardest hit by the economic meltdown. They felt his demands were a clear indication that the former President was not people oriented and had no sympathy for the people.

Sibongile Muchimbo (35) of Zimunya Township could not hide her anger when she said: "Mugabe is a ruthless person, how can he demand cash from empty coffers, which he drained himself? In addition this shows that he was lying to us that he had people at heart, now he is facing the harsh reality that he must adapt to a cashless society."

Tafadzwa Rimayi (44), of Palmerstone, Mutare argued: "I pray that our former President must understand the current economic situation prevailing on the ground and must be given the same amount that all people are getting after enduring the long queues."

Melesy Moyo Chimonyo (56) said: "Everyone must be given cash; not one person and we expect the issue of cash shortages to end because we have got a new leader. If someone works, he or she should be given his or her earnings in cash."

A middle aged woman who refused to be identified and preferred to be called Madzimai Barbra said: "We are all Zimbabweans, what's so special with Mugabe?"

Another Mutare resident Collens Kadzuta (52) said: "Mugabe must be given what others are being given and should forget the type of treatment he received during his tenure in office for he is now just a pensioner and nothing special.

"Moreover, when the same person was still at the helm of power, he was encouraging us to embrace plastic money, so what's wrong now, it simply means he was not serious about his words."

Betty Munyama (56), of Zimunya said: "Mr Mugabe's demands are outrageous and should not be dignified with reciprocity. They cannot be met given the current economic meltdown in the country, moreso, given the fact that he is the author of this mess. He should be given those small amounts that we have been getting under his rule until his bank account reads zero."

However, some interviewees chose to put a human face and neutral stance on the matter.

"As a pensioner just like Mr Mugabe, I am not worried if he gets what is due to him. Why should he not get his money? The onus is on the new administration to solve the cash crisis and give us our money as and when we need it, Mr Mugabe included. Give him his cash provided it is in place, but the national crisis persists, then Bob must understand the situation because he has a hand in it. Where would he expect the cash to come from?" said a pensioner who refused to be named.

Mr Mugabe recently demanded to receive his lump sum of $467 200 and salary of $13 333 — all in cash.

During his tenure, Mr Mugabe had been getting monthly cash payments of $20 000 while ordinary Zimbabweans queued for days on end to access amounts as low as $20 from banks.

It is also reported that former First Lady, Mrs Grace Mugabe is also getting a monthly payment of $2 170 from the State. It is not clear why she is getting paid that money, when she was not employed by the State.