ED consigns masses to abject poverty
TWO decades ago Zimbabweans used to pride themselves in having sound economic policies which resulted in the poor affording to put a decent meal on the table.
Zimbabwe’s economy is no doubt agro-based and every sector of the economy is dependent on agriculture. The commercial farmers produced enough for local consumption and export.
The Zanu PF-led government redistributed the land to correct the imbalance in the ownership between blacks and whites. Without taking anything away from their noble idea to empower the black masses, I believe, the redistribution of land was carried out emotionally and haphazardly as the ruling party used it as a campaign weapon to garner votes and consolidate power. It only benefited greedy politicians and few individuals.
In 1997, the late Chenjarai Hunzvi, then leader of the war veterans, forced President Robert Mugabe to award ex-combatants $50 000 each as gratuity. Mugabe acceded because he wanted their votes.
Unfortunately, that was when the Zimbabwean dollar tumbled against the American dollar because that money was not budgeted for, and that marked the beginning of our problems.
Now we have President Emmerson Mnangagwa who claims to be heading a new dispensation but parroting Mugabe’s mistakes.
Is there any reason for Mnangagwa to spoil members of the Political Actors Dialogue with cars using taxpayers’ money when the generality of the population is struggling to feed itself? Does it benefit anyone except him?
Can Mnangagwa spare us a thought please because his failure has consigned us to abject poverty?
Innocent Torai