Chaos in Zimbabwe Is Just Another Seeming Cauldron In The Region

The week started with the abduction of human rights firebrand Itai Dzamara. The world over has been shaken and the abduction has been embarrassing as the government has no explanation for it since their hands are tied and they are guilt-conscious. Their inertia alone in not instructing the CIO to return him home spoke volumes. Even those who sought to defend and justify the abduction came out with flimsy reasoning, enough to openly admit that they had no clean hands in the scandal.

Then the Chikurubi prisoners rioted for being fed with sadza( thick corn meal porridge) with a dry Royco Usavi mix soup. They went on rampage and broke the loose fences as they sought a way into freedom after their complaints or discomfort went unnoticed. With the prison break emerged various theories. Something was amiss with the prison system leadership. Not enough was being done to maintain prison security. It also became a danger to society for Class D prisoners (murderers, robbers and rapists) to be on the loose. Resultantly, seven were shot dead but there has not been an official statement regarding the cause and any remedial moves made to assure people of public safety. Then the CIO gave orders that it was best to locate ring leaders and kill them. What a loss of ideas!

As the prisoners broke loose and as Itai Dzamara went unreleased or not located, President Mugabe's ego was dented by the Japanese Embassy who only wanted 42 people to travel to Japana for a Disaster Reduction Conference in Sendai. Instead of 42 delegates, Mugabe took 100 delegates with families just leaving behind cats and dogs in Zimbabwe. It became an embarrassment in that the world over was sending just a few people to mark their presence. He took that opportunity as an excuse for his cabinet to enjoy an overseas trip and the hangers on gobbled a whopping $1 million. This was at a critical time when the government was cracking heads to see how best the economy could be revived. That move simply communicated the level of government seriousness to the world. As if that was not enough, Mugabe went on to disparage the West and vowed that he would never kneel for aid. So interesting because even Japan begs to the West for sustainable development. Zimbabwe was reeling under so much poverty, corruption and not even having enough to pay the 10 000 ghost workers whose salaries were being pocketed by Government Minsters. It became an embarrassment that he boasted of Zimbabwe's friendship with countries like India and China, that were actually also looking West for survival. He actually made the Zimbabwe situation worse because the world is even irked by the Itai Dzamara abduction that has sent some blabber mouths issuing vitriol for the world to forget the sin.

In London, the Vigil went on a protest under "I am Itai Dzamara". Inspired by human rights firebrand Vince Musewe after he asked of the whereabouts of clergy, student leaders, community action groups and other related human rights outfits, they took to the streets and even embarrassed the Government of Zimbabwe more.

Then the University lecturers went on strike. A week later, impatient students went on strike to protest against the Lecturer strike that was said to have gone on for an unreasonably long time.
In Masvingo, instead of the city paying the Messenger of Court to recover their attached vehicles, the city fathers saw it fit to simply buy new vehicles instead of honoring their commitment to pay the disgruntled salaries. It simply demonstrated unprecedented profligacy under the approbation of the Minister of local government. Corruption was everywhere. There was no corner where something was not happening.

In Matabeleland, for the first time ever since his appointment, VP Mphoko made sense as he boldy refused that the CIO district head there, a Mashingaidze should sit on a farm that was benefitting the community. Then in Masvingo, Mahofa clashed with Mzembi who vowed to take over Mitchell's farm as he wanted it badly despite the same concern that it benefitted the community. As Minister of Tourism, many wondered on his sanity because he knew the reason behind the community motive yet he seemed to demonstrate rare covetousness through his plan. Many would keep watching to see who had bigger political muscles in the game.

The list became endless but the main theme was that people were hungry, and jobless. No services were moving. Many in Zimbabwe were frustrated as the government was not doing enough to bring back jobs and services to the people. Above all, many were getting angry through the government's insatiable appetite for luxuries through cars and foreign travel at a time when nothing was moving or working at home.

Reproduced by courtesy of www.zimeye.com