Honourable guests at the State House, for the swearing in of Zimbabwe’s cabinet, were treated to the biggest circus ever witnessed in diplomatic circles. While that may be amusing, it is however a strong indictment of Zimbabwe’s political leadership.
Clearly politicians are so pre-occupied with acquiring positions of power that the do not care about the dire circumstances the country is in. They do not care about the burden they are imposing on the tax payer and the debilitating consequences of that burden on the ability of the state to deliver essential services to the taxpayer.
The ease with which both sides are quick to add ministers of state on the burden is a big condemnation on the government, as well. Clearly both sides are more concerned with fitting as many of their cronies as they can, on the gravy train. That the country needs to save money seems to be totally and hopelessly lost to them.
If there are any doubts as to who is in control, I think recent events should have made it clear. Firstly human rights activists and MDC supporters under detention have not been released. One man promised that they were not going to spend a day more in prison. Well that day passed and more days are still passing and they are still firmly in jail. Can we therefore say the man who made the promise is in control?
Secondly arrests of opposition figures have been continuing. Roy Bennet is eating sadza with pumpkins in Mutare as we speak.
Tsvangirai seems to be suggesting that Bennet was incarcerated at the behest of rogue elements apposed to the unity deal. I submit that Bennet is in jail because Mugabe wants him there. Which police officer in Zimbabwe would keep a man in jail at the behest of, say Chihuri or Chiwengwa, in the face of a clear and unequivocal message from Mugabe that the man should be released?
The arrest of Bennet is clearly a message to the MDC to tell them, ‘Look here guys, we now have you by the balls.’ It is also a clear message to everyone that Zanu-PF are still in control.
The party’s bigwigs turned up in extra numbers to be sworn in as ministers because they are not prepared to make way for each other. If anybody believes that such people are prepared to easily make way for the MDC, then that person is still happily suckling at their mother’s breast.
It is also fallacy to believe that these people have turned against Mugabe, or that the latter has turned against them. When lions growl at each other it doesn’t mean one of them is now friends with the zebra.
The bottom line is that the route to true freedom for ordinary Zimbabweans has not yet been charted. The supposed captains are too busy charting their own routes to power.
Clearly politicians are so pre-occupied with acquiring positions of power that the do not care about the dire circumstances the country is in. They do not care about the burden they are imposing on the tax payer and the debilitating consequences of that burden on the ability of the state to deliver essential services to the taxpayer.
The ease with which both sides are quick to add ministers of state on the burden is a big condemnation on the government, as well. Clearly both sides are more concerned with fitting as many of their cronies as they can, on the gravy train. That the country needs to save money seems to be totally and hopelessly lost to them.
If there are any doubts as to who is in control, I think recent events should have made it clear. Firstly human rights activists and MDC supporters under detention have not been released. One man promised that they were not going to spend a day more in prison. Well that day passed and more days are still passing and they are still firmly in jail. Can we therefore say the man who made the promise is in control?
Secondly arrests of opposition figures have been continuing. Roy Bennet is eating sadza with pumpkins in Mutare as we speak.
Tsvangirai seems to be suggesting that Bennet was incarcerated at the behest of rogue elements apposed to the unity deal. I submit that Bennet is in jail because Mugabe wants him there. Which police officer in Zimbabwe would keep a man in jail at the behest of, say Chihuri or Chiwengwa, in the face of a clear and unequivocal message from Mugabe that the man should be released?
The arrest of Bennet is clearly a message to the MDC to tell them, ‘Look here guys, we now have you by the balls.’ It is also a clear message to everyone that Zanu-PF are still in control.
The party’s bigwigs turned up in extra numbers to be sworn in as ministers because they are not prepared to make way for each other. If anybody believes that such people are prepared to easily make way for the MDC, then that person is still happily suckling at their mother’s breast.
It is also fallacy to believe that these people have turned against Mugabe, or that the latter has turned against them. When lions growl at each other it doesn’t mean one of them is now friends with the zebra.
The bottom line is that the route to true freedom for ordinary Zimbabweans has not yet been charted. The supposed captains are too busy charting their own routes to power.
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