We must deal with economic crisis now not after 2018 - Analyst

A political commentator Vince Musewe has warned that Zimbabwe must deal with the economic crisis rocking the nation as a matter of urgency and not wait for 2018 when expectations are high that a new government with people's interests at heart is likely to take charge.

"We are in a crisis and we need to deal with the economy today and not wait for 2018. There is also a very important issue which many are ignoring, this is the fact that economic issues are commonly used by ZANU (PF) to get an electoral advantage," Musewe said.

"The patronage we see at every turn is an election tool. This applies too, for example, to the illegal allocation of stands to ZANU (PF) youthies only who have now declared no stands no vote, the partisan allocation of space at flea markets, the award of tenders to cronies and abuse of public funds to fund ZANU (PF) rallies and marches, the abuse of the police and army during elections and threats to repossess farms allocated to rivals."

He said economic disempowerment and intimidation of those who differ remains a real threat to free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

"The role of chiefs in rural areas also comes into question," he said.