Doctors have received their Z$9,500 (US$90) salaries. Meanwhile, govt is boasting about reducing the wage bill to below 50% of expenditure and stabilizing the currency. These are disingenuous claim. The reality is govt has allowed salaries to be eroded by inflation. 1/
Assuming government agreed to pay doctors a modest US$360, the wage bill would immediately increase four-fold. The same is true of nurses, teachers and other civil servants whose salaries have been rendered worthless by inflation. 2/
Govt has no way to increase its tax revenues independent of an increase in production, the only card left is to print. It is not a matter of if but when this will happen. When it happens, the rate will begin to run again, the 50% of expenditure façade will disappear 3/
No country has escaped the dire straits Zimbabwe finds itself without a bailout. The regime is unwilling to implement the reforms that would make such a bailout possible so it has chosen to force the population to endure that which should not be endured. 4/
In any other country, the level of poverty and suffering being experienced in Zimbabwe would lead to social unrest. However, Mnangagwa has deployed the military and ferrets to prevent what would otherwise be inevitable. By shutting this safety valve, he has created a timebomb. 5/
The regime believes it can intimidate the population into submission and acceptance of the status quo. This only goes so far; the human spirit eventually revolts in spite of the danger. Genuine reforms are the only way out, the alternative is a hard landing. 6/
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As Sikhala spends his 68th day in prison, my sympathies go out to his family with hope for a speedy end to the misery he is suffering in difficult conditions. Yet his predicament also requires an introspection to avoid a repeat of this unfortunate episode. /1
There is a danger that his circumstances may be prolonged, if not find permanence, on account of ill-considered boisterous activism surrounding his case. The failure by leaders to temper emotions risks an escalation which may not be easily won. /2
Assuming determined protests could be mounted to demand his release, the prevailing authority would unlikely give in to the demands. Such a capitulation would only serve to further diminish the credibility of the justice system. Not impossible but unlikely. /3
The seemingly sudden wave of armed robberies involving members of the defence forces is linked to the chaotic, unlawful and dangerous takeover of armouries during the 2017 coup where the police and intelligence services were disarmed without a formal handover-takeover process.1/
During coup, every level of security perceived as hostile to the coup-makers was disarmed with weapons taken from lawful possession even at traffic stops. This chaotic process included no documentation. It is unclear that these weapons were returned to state custody. 2/
Indeed, given the fluid situation and the fear of a counterattack that was prevailing at the time, it appears unlikely they would have readily surrendered the weapons to a central authority which could fall out of their control. 3/
Chinamasa’s comments are not a surprise to anyone. It has always been public knowledge that we do not have a professional army. As per his now public comments, the army is loyal to the ruling Zanu PF with which it enjoys “unbreakable continuity.” Yet he made one mistake. 1/
He must not mistake the command element for the generality of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces. The vast majority of our soldiers are living in poverty and have nothing to gain from the romance with Zanu PF. Chinamasa is delusional if he believes these soldiers belong to Zanu PF. 2/
Chinamasa has effectively admitted to an unconstitutional relationship between the ZANU PF and the military. Zimbabwe is effectively under military rule despite the routine holding of democratic rituals like elections whose outcome is predetermined and guaranteed by the gun. 3/
The unfortunate celebrations that followed the death of SB Moyo and other govt officials appear to have angered the regime, prompting hypocritical calls for “ubuntu”. The regime has to recognise the direct role it has played in creating an angry and bitter culture. 1/
The president’s spokesperson publicly taunted a victim of state sponsored torture, Tawanda Muchehiwa, asking him if his ‘buttocks had healed’. This uncouth behaviour was not rebuked by Mnangagwa, despite a public outcry, suggesting that govt agrees with it. 2/
Now, if the president’s spokesperson can publicly celebrate the torture of a 21-year-old student why would such a govt be surprised that the public will equally celebrate news of its demise? The regime is in no position to demand decency because it has no decency itself. 3/
The public has been made to believe that having fought in the liberation struggle is the main criteria for hero status conferment. This false view is now so deeply ingrained to the extent that govt now feels compelled to create fictitious liberation struggle profiles. 1/
It should be a source of discomfort for any person who has been in public service for many decades to have to look back to the 1970s for their claim to heroism. Beyond the war, we need to see heroic acts in public service, humanitarian work and even business. 2/
Govt does not have to justify the conferment of hero status on Biggie Matiza. It is discretionary and the status can be granted for whatever reason. However, there is everything wrong with propaganda that seeks to rewrite history with the ascription of fictional heroics. 3/
Mnangagwa’s decision to prioritise the vaccination of ministers, members of parliament and the security forces again illustrates the ignorance that informs govt decisions. Why vaccinate young and healthy soldiers and MPs ahead of the elderly and those at greater risk? 1/
The decision cannot be arbitrary. If we are to only get 3M doses, they have to go to high-risk groups. Health workers are a priority, but soldiers, ministers, MPs and police officers are not. Certainly not ahead of an elderly person at greater risk of dying from the virus. 2/
It is important to go back to the data as to who is more likely to die from Covid-19. This data must inform who gets the vaccine. It would be foolish in the most to vaccinate school children where supplies are limited. 3/