Conference offers Zanu-PF opportunity to reflect

CONFERENCING by its very nature presents that rare opportunity to reflect on the year’s performance using a number of barometers.

The 2018 Zanu-PF conference set for next week is coming on the backdrop of the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections.

What happened just before, during and after the elections helps measure the performance of the party.

For the first time in post independence Zimbabwe, there is consensus to the effect that the atmosphere leading to elections was peaceful.

This feat was thus a significant improvement in the performance of the party for which it must be pleased with itself.

However, the August 1 disturbances that ended in the unfortunate deaths of six people essentially tainted what could have been a smooth and commendable pre to post-election transition.

In light of the outcry, especially by foreign embassies, the President did the honourable thing to institute a commission of enquiry that sought to determine the reasons behind the demonstrations as well as the ensuing shootings.

With enquiry over and a full report waiting to be lodged with the President by December 19, 2018, it is clear that some of those who appeared before the commission were obsessed with talking outside the terms of reference.

Instead of focusing on happenings that directly impacted the election period leading to August 1, 2018 disturbances, countless accounts that were given even related to the pre-independence era, over 40 years ago, as well as post independence era — some 30 years ago.

While seemingly impressive, there were some accounts given by witnesses that sought to paint Zanu-PF as a violent party but it must never be forgotten that the MDC has a celebrated history of violence that gave birth to splinter groups.

In that same vein, the MDC seems to forget that it lives in a glass house so the rumblings about Zanu-PF being responsible for the disturbances culminating in the deaths of six people are devoid of even a single grain of evidence.

Considering that the army was requested by the Commissioner General of Police to assist in quelling a demonstration that had gone out of hand is clear that the army exercised a lot of restraint in the course of carrying out its duties.

The socio-economic and political issues that concern all citizens should thus form the basis of discussions around which solutions have to be found on an urgent note considering that people are becoming increasingly desperate as a result of the escalating prices of goods and services.

As Government’s economic austerity measures seek to raise revenue that would be used to pay outstanding debts to international finance houses, serious regard should also be given to the conditions of a populace that had long waited for an easing of their lives.

Fuel increases that became a budgetary requirement appear detrimental and reckless, noting that any increase in fuel impacts directly on prices of goods and services, thus making life more difficult for the citizens.

Generally taxes are necessary in raising revenue but have a way of discouraging investment by both locals and foreigners.

This has in some cases resulted in downsizing or closure of some existing operations.

It is clear that tax cuts across the board are necessary for stimulating the growth of existing entities, attracting new entities thereby widening the tax base from which more revenue will be realised.

The party must attend to cases of policy inconsistency whose effects have been to erode the confidence of both local and foreign investors.

It is clear that people want to identify with national aspirations and the party is challenged to go beyond narrow interests that serve the party at the expense of national interests.

Ease of doing business requires that there be transparency in everything with project implementers getting the much-needed assistance from relevant offices.

Constant supply of basic commodities such as fuel, drugs, piped water and electricity must be complimented by basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and clinics.

Inventory of assets of officials and execution of high profile corruption cases must be seen to go beyond political interests to include everyone caught on the wrong side of the law.

Coherence and growth of the party are only possible when the party treats everybody equally irrespective of personal differences.

By Ishe Donald Sarudzai Kamba Makoni