We need responsible government

"................. is not Government that puts food on the table for civil servants." -- Morgan Tsvangirai

It is the responsibility of government to put food on the tables of civil servants. Government is their employer, and government is not a slave running entity. It is the responsibility of every employer who is not a slave runner to provide living wages for his workers. Any caring employer should try and ensure the welfare of their employees is well looked after.

 What is not government's responsibility, is to put multiple cars in the garages of senior politicians and ensure astronomically paying jobs for the cronies and relatives of political leaders.

Right now, the Zimbabwe government is underpaying civil servants because it is spending too much on an over-bloated executive (70 plus ministerial level posts are simply too much!).

On top of that some government arms such as the PM's office are famous for having a very large 'kitchen cabinets'. That is people with no official role in government but just hanging onto the coat tails of appointed leaders in order to make money.

I think Mangosuthu Buthelezi captured the essense of Zimbabwe's problem (and much of Africa) when he said "Too many, and I dare say the overwhelming majority, are trying to make money on account of holding public office, being in politics or exercising public power."

As long as that political culture remains, Africa is going nowhere in terms of development. As long as Zimbabwe's politicians are more worried about making money for themselves first and for their family and friends second, the life of ordinary Zimbabweans is going to be hell.

No all of us are connected to a rich relative or friend. The only chance that we have is through a fair system that allows us to enjoy the fruits of our hard work. A system that takes from us the hard-workers and gives to a few who happen to know somebody high up is never going to work.

We need fairness.