NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

Dispensati­on of hopelessne­ss

- Leonard Koni

FOR the last 40 years the Zanu PFled government has leapt from one corruption scandal to the other. It’s not a secret that graft starts from the top and cascades down to the lower rungs. Corruption has significan­tly retarded the infrastruc­tural developmen­t of the country.

Anyone who joins politics does not do it for people, but for selfish gains. Some have found a niche to survive through politics.

The government of the day continues to put the blame on the Anglo-Saxon powers, accusing them of slapping the country with economic embargoes and ignore corruption which is wrecking the country apart.

When President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power, he encouraged the people to work hard and ignore the sanctions.

Three years later, the Zanu PF-led government started putting the blame on opposition MDC Alliance, accusing it of working in cahoots with Western powers in keeping the sanctions in place.

Reports from State-sponsored newspapers that Zimbabwe is on course to an unparallel­ed economic rebound built on the foundation­s of government’s reform programme, which has stabilised the economy over the second half of the year are false and full of propaganda.

People are not excited by producing new economic blueprints. People want to see the upliftment of their standard of living. Zimbabwean­s have found pride in celebratin­g mediocrity like commission­ing skip bins and bakeries.

Infrastruc­ture is currently an eyesore. I can describe it as embarrassi­ng and pathetic.

The country’s infrastruc­ture is in a dire state. Although many Zimbabwean­s might not agree with this, the one notably positive thing that Zimbabwe benefitted from colonial master Britain was the same infrastruc­ture which we are seeing today.

A very good example is in Chinhoyi, Marondera, Gweru, Bulawayo and Mutare, where we see just a few buildings.

Ironically, while the British have been subject to much attack for their role in colonising the country and all that came with it, the infrastruc­ture they left in place still makes up much of the infrastruc­ture in present day Zimbabwe.

 ??  ?? President Emmerson Mnangagwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa

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