Zimbabwe COVID-19 deaths raising our eyebrows

THE devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country is now worrying, especially among the Executive. We all get worried because of the magnitude and frequency of the death of high-profile people. What surprises is the pandemic's targets, whether it's by design or by default.

I continue to wonder whether it is by coincidence that the pandemic continues to savagely hit those within the echelons of power, which is a critical area for any country in terms of growth. It is so sad that we are losing lives at an alarming rate, triggering shockwaves across the country.

We must sincerely console each other at this time of need given that this is a ravaging global pandemic that caught the world unprepared. I personally commiserate with the affected families that were plunged into mourning inside or outside Zanu-PF. We are living in fear, resulting in the majority resorting to life-threatening concoctions believed to be treatment for COVID-19.

We are getting contradicting advice from medical practitioners on the use of home remedies like steaming, where others are discouraging those home remedies, suggesting hospitalisation in a country overwhelmed by the global pandemic where hospital beds are scarce.

In a state of the nation address, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said government was making arrangements to secure COVID-19 vaccines without disclosing the country or countries that will supply the vaccines. We are demanding government assurance on the advantages of those vaccines currently at the centre of controversy worldwide. We are in fear of suspected depopulation.

Mnangagwa should explain to the citizens how the first batch of those vaccines was used if the country received any. He must also alert the nation on the state of the presidium regarding COVID-19 attacks. We were worried to see Mnangagwa cutting short his annual leave to preside over funerals of Cabinet ministers despite the fact that he had two Vice-Presidents at work. Is it a confirmation that all is not well within government and the ruling party?

We also saw several government officials issuing their condolence statements, but the two Vice-Presidents remained obscure and chose to issue their condolence messages from wherever they are. However, we are grateful for the consolations issued from the unknown. We remain hopeful that all will be well very soon, according to Mnangagwa's assurances.

We expected Mnangagwa in his state of the nation address to clarify the whereabouts of his allies at this hour of need. I am one person who does not celebrate death, but strongly believe that I have a constitutional right to know the state of my country and my government even though I did not vote for it. Let us know Mr President if all is well in your closet

Mnangagwa should desist from addressing the nation in casual attire even when he is on leave. The casual attire gives the impression that he was rushed to the studio to dispel fear and panic that had gripped the nation after the fall of several allies. When our freedom fighters bombed the fuel tanks during the liberation struggle, they shell-shocked the late Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith, who went in a panic mode and dashed to the scene at midnight without tie and jacket in the same manner Mnangagwa panicked when his key associates fell victim to the global pandemic.

Mnangagwa went to the extent of forgetting his trade mark scarf to deliver the "speech of hope" though the announcement of the coming vaccines left me quaking in the womb.
Addressing the nation in a holiday or church attire is serious disrespect of the citizens.