Maguwu slams leadership failure following Mphoko's death

The death of former Vice President and Liberation War hero Phelekezela Mphoko in India on Friday has sparked a fierce critique of Zimbabwe's leadership, particularly the country's failure to invest in its healthcare system.

Farai Maguwu, the founding Director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his dismay, arguing that Mphoko's passing serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic leadership failure that has plagued Zimbabwe for years.

Maguwu highlighted that Zimbabwe is one of the few nations where its leaders regularly seek medical treatment abroad, often resulting in their deaths on foreign soil. He condemned the ruling elite for prioritizing personal power and luxury over the welfare of the population, which is left to contend with a dilapidated healthcare system.

"The death of Mphoko in India reminds us of the monumental leadership failure in Zimbabwe," Maguwu wrote. "We are one of the few countries in the world with leaders who seek treatment and die abroad because instead of investing in their health sector, they rob their own countries, and spend public resources on cars, power retention schemes, repression and perennial puberty."

Maguwu went on to describe the deplorable state of Zimbabwe's hospitals, which are reportedly understocked and poorly maintained. He criticized the wealth accumulated by some prominent figures, such as businessman Wicknell Chivhayo, who he claims misappropriate funds, while the healthcare system deteriorates.

"While Chivhayo splashes stolen money on cars, hospitals have no drugs, health professionals are demoralized, and hospitals are run down," he added. "When Zim rulers get sick they steal money and hire private jets to foreign lands, forgetting that they have 16 million people to whom life and death depend on their decisions."

The post also pointed out the irony that Zimbabwean leaders travel to countries like South Africa, India, and China for medical care, while citizens and leaders from those nations do not come to Zimbabwe for treatment.

Maguwu further emphasized the contrast with wealthy nations like Dubai and Qatar, where investments in healthcare have made their hospitals world-renowned. He called on Zimbabwe's leadership to recognize that the future of the nation depends on making decisions that benefit all citizens, not just the ruling elite.

"They go to SA, India and China for treatment and yet we have never seen leaders or citizens of those countries coming to Harare for treatment," Maguwu concluded. "Is it an admission we are a nation of jokers & rulers who know very well that if they want serious treatment they must look elsewhere?"

The passing of Mphoko has left Zimbabweans reflecting on the deep-rooted issues within the country's leadership, especially when it comes to the management of vital public services like healthcare.