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Tendai Biti warns Zimbabwe is on the edge
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Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has painted a stark picture of Zimbabwe's current political and economic landscape, describing the country as being on the precipice of disaster. In an interview with Trevor Ncube on In Conversation with Trevor, Biti, who is also the former opposition MDC vice president, expressed grave concern over the state of the nation, which he believes is teetering on the brink due to a combination of political mismanagement and economic collapse.
Biti opened the conversation by noting that Zimbabwe's history is marked by cyclical crises, a trend he said continues today. "Roughly every 10 years, there's an inflection of multiple crises that converge at one point," Biti explained. He referred to the country's long history of economic booms and busts, starting from the signing of the Rudd Concession in 1888, and how these periods of instability often culminate in moments of intense national crises. According to Biti, Zimbabwe is currently in a state of "permanent crisis" interrupted by fleeting moments of peace, citing examples such as the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the 1987 Unity Accord.
"The absence of a self-correcting polity in our discourse is so sharp, and regrettably, because it's not there, we resort to what is our natural DNA, which is resolving a crisis by fighting, by implosion, by coups, by factionalism," Biti warned, suggesting that the current environment could lead to another crisis similar to the one that led to the 2017 political implosion.
When discussing the current economic environment, Biti was critical of the government's policies, particularly the tax regime. He accused the government of lacking empathy and ideology, pointing out the absurdity of imposing taxes on basic goods like a chicken burger or a pizza. "Who taxes a chicken burger at the Chicken Inn? Who taxes a pizza at the Pizza Hut?" Biti exclaimed, calling the excessive taxes a sign of desperation and ideological confusion. "This government now has no ideology. It will tax everything."
Biti's concerns also extend to the relationship between citizens and the state. He claimed that Zimbabwean citizens have effectively "negotiated themselves out of the state," with the government failing to fulfill its basic functions. "We have lost trust in the state. The state has failed to carry out and implement the ordinary rudimentary role of the state," he said. Biti described the government as predatory, only interacting with citizens in moments of violence or overtaxation, and expressed frustration at the state's inability to address basic needs.
This lack of trust in the state has led to a growing sense of fatalism among the population, according to Biti. He explained that the ruling party thrives on this fatalism, with many citizens resigning themselves to the harsh realities of life under the current regime. "The ordinary average citizen sinks into fatalism," he said, adding that the rise of Pentecostal prosperity churches is a symptom of this widespread resignation.
As the country faces severe social dislocation, Biti highlighted the breakdown of the family unit as one of the key social problems contributing to the crisis. He pointed to an increase in divorces, teenage pregnancies, and child marriages, noting that Zimbabwe's social fabric is rapidly unraveling. Biti also addressed the severe drug abuse problem in the country, with substances like mutoriro, guka, and crystal meth flooding the streets, as well as the widespread use of cheap alcohol.
"The slow genocide that is taking place in our country is the result of an irresponsible government that has abandoned its obligations towards its citizens," Biti said. He lamented the rising maternal and infant mortality rates and the fact that millions of Zimbabweans have left the country in search of better opportunities, including many of the nation's best professionals.
Despite the dire situation, Biti remains deeply concerned about the lack of a cohesive opposition that can effectively challenge the government and provide a viable solution. He pointed to a "massive social dislocation" and a growing disconnect between the leadership and the people. Biti emphasized that the opposition must understand the gravity of the situation and work to create a platform for genuine dialogue, which he believes is the only path to resolving the country's political and economic crises.
Biti's words serve as a stark reminder of the profound challenges Zimbabwe faces as it grapples with the effects of decades of political mismanagement and economic instability. With the country at a critical juncture, many fear that without significant change, the nation may be headed for an even deeper crisis.
Biti opened the conversation by noting that Zimbabwe's history is marked by cyclical crises, a trend he said continues today. "Roughly every 10 years, there's an inflection of multiple crises that converge at one point," Biti explained. He referred to the country's long history of economic booms and busts, starting from the signing of the Rudd Concession in 1888, and how these periods of instability often culminate in moments of intense national crises. According to Biti, Zimbabwe is currently in a state of "permanent crisis" interrupted by fleeting moments of peace, citing examples such as the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the 1987 Unity Accord.
"The absence of a self-correcting polity in our discourse is so sharp, and regrettably, because it's not there, we resort to what is our natural DNA, which is resolving a crisis by fighting, by implosion, by coups, by factionalism," Biti warned, suggesting that the current environment could lead to another crisis similar to the one that led to the 2017 political implosion.
When discussing the current economic environment, Biti was critical of the government's policies, particularly the tax regime. He accused the government of lacking empathy and ideology, pointing out the absurdity of imposing taxes on basic goods like a chicken burger or a pizza. "Who taxes a chicken burger at the Chicken Inn? Who taxes a pizza at the Pizza Hut?" Biti exclaimed, calling the excessive taxes a sign of desperation and ideological confusion. "This government now has no ideology. It will tax everything."
Biti's concerns also extend to the relationship between citizens and the state. He claimed that Zimbabwean citizens have effectively "negotiated themselves out of the state," with the government failing to fulfill its basic functions. "We have lost trust in the state. The state has failed to carry out and implement the ordinary rudimentary role of the state," he said. Biti described the government as predatory, only interacting with citizens in moments of violence or overtaxation, and expressed frustration at the state's inability to address basic needs.
This lack of trust in the state has led to a growing sense of fatalism among the population, according to Biti. He explained that the ruling party thrives on this fatalism, with many citizens resigning themselves to the harsh realities of life under the current regime. "The ordinary average citizen sinks into fatalism," he said, adding that the rise of Pentecostal prosperity churches is a symptom of this widespread resignation.
As the country faces severe social dislocation, Biti highlighted the breakdown of the family unit as one of the key social problems contributing to the crisis. He pointed to an increase in divorces, teenage pregnancies, and child marriages, noting that Zimbabwe's social fabric is rapidly unraveling. Biti also addressed the severe drug abuse problem in the country, with substances like mutoriro, guka, and crystal meth flooding the streets, as well as the widespread use of cheap alcohol.
"The slow genocide that is taking place in our country is the result of an irresponsible government that has abandoned its obligations towards its citizens," Biti said. He lamented the rising maternal and infant mortality rates and the fact that millions of Zimbabweans have left the country in search of better opportunities, including many of the nation's best professionals.
Despite the dire situation, Biti remains deeply concerned about the lack of a cohesive opposition that can effectively challenge the government and provide a viable solution. He pointed to a "massive social dislocation" and a growing disconnect between the leadership and the people. Biti emphasized that the opposition must understand the gravity of the situation and work to create a platform for genuine dialogue, which he believes is the only path to resolving the country's political and economic crises.
Biti's words serve as a stark reminder of the profound challenges Zimbabwe faces as it grapples with the effects of decades of political mismanagement and economic instability. With the country at a critical juncture, many fear that without significant change, the nation may be headed for an even deeper crisis.
Source - the standard
