ED diverting attention with ‘wolves in sheep clothing’

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent concession that all was not well in his administration did not come to us as a surprise, what we are more keen on is knowing what steps is he going to take to deal with the problem, and its subsequent effect on the economy and the general wellbeing of citizens. If, indeed, there are “wolves in sheep clothing” as per his admission, we are keen to see proof of that when he begins to show the said wolves the exit door. Since independence, our government has had a culture of carrying along deadwood that added no value to economic — or any other — national development.

If, indeed, Mnangagwa is sincere, there must come a time when talk must be translated into action. Unless we see that, then we will just dismiss everything as diversionary tactics to avoid people pointing at the failures of his administration.

It is not a secret that ever since becoming President, Mnangagwa has increasingly presided over the impoverishment of the citizenry.

Already, many people are comparing the situation to the 2007-2008 economic holocaust that forced the then Robert Mugabe government to officially discard the local currency for dollarisation.

For now, we will take with large helpings of salt ED’s threat that the internal saboteurs “days are numbered” and we will certainly hold him to account in the event that no action is taken as promised.

We might as well remind ED that peace and unity are elusive concepts, particularly when the majority of citizens have to live in some form of “eternal fast” — not because they are beseeching God to intervene in Zimbabwe’s crisis, but because they just can no longer afford the most basic of meals. As long as bread and butter issues are sorted, there will be no need to plead for peace and unity. These will be a given.

As long as the Mnangagwa government continues to treat socioeconomic ills like corruption with kid gloves, the enemies of progress and economic growth will continue to line their pockets while the rest of the population is driven deeper and deeper into poverty.

If, indeed, he knows there are senior government officials involved in corruption, why not have them arrested? Why not name and shame them? This business of playing to the gallery must stop. We have heard these sound bites so many times before with no action that they have ceased to make sense.

The culture of dealing with corruption token-style, sacrificing lightweights like Health minister Obadiah Moyo and former Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira will not cut it. We cannot be deceived that easily. He must go after the godfathers, the big fish, holding this country and its population to ransom.