Varakashi4ED Blame Collapse of Dunlop Firm on Sanctions

BULAWAYO - Pro-ZANU PF social media group Varakashi4ED has claimed that the collapse of the once-thriving Dunlop Company in Bulawayo was the result of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western nations and their allies.

In a post on their X account titled "Dunlop's Downfall: A Painful Lesson in Sanctions and Economic Sabotage", the group argued that sanctions, coupled with sabotage by former commercial-farmer owners angered by the land reform programme, led to the demise of the tyre manufacturer.

"We once had thriving companies like the Dunlop factory in Bulawayo, established in 1957 and beginning tyre production in March 1959. This photo shows some of its workers soon after independence — before sanctions and other external pressures took their toll," Varakashi4ED posted.

The group said Dunlop, which at its peak employed close to 4,000 workers, was not the only casualty, as several foreign-owned companies were allowed to collapse, leaving thousands jobless.

Varakashi4ED added that they now take pride in seeing Zimbabwean companies under indigenous ownership, rebuilding industries "on their own terms" and ensuring that external manipulation of the economy does not recur.