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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

While we can debate the ethics of this Gonzo journalism, the bigger story is how a Defense minister was so easily deceived. If Oppah can be manipulated with such ease, one wonders how she ended up in a position where she is in charge of national security. Unlikely to be merit. 1/ Her private conversation is revealing. She previously said Covid-19 was a curse from God, targeting Western nations that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. She now says coronavirus was accidentally created in China. Govt has promptly distanced itself from the latter claim. 2/

While the Finance minister claims to have recorded a surplus, Zimbabwe has just had its voting rights at the UN General Assembly suspended due to non-payment of fees amounting to US$81,000. This is what happens when a govt is focused on propaganda instead of reality. 1/ The supposed surplus is the result of starving civil servants, not paying debts, overtaxing citizens, stealing from tobacco farmers and forcing exporters to sell their foreign currency below market rates. No country can behave in this way and expect a prosperous future. 2/

This shocking treatment of opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine’s wife by Uganda’s security apparatus reflects the general lack of respect that African dictators, including Mnangagwa, have for their populations. Violence is the trump card, not ideas. 1/ Museveni will soon claim victory in an election which was anything but free and fair. It does not matter that the evidence of this unfairness is there for all to see, his trump card is violence. Without electoral reforms, Zimbabwe is heading in the same direction in 2023. 2/

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/

At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, the ANC delegation that arrives in Harare today will not achieve any meaningful outcome. This is because what is widely described as a crisis, means different things to the stakeholders. The conversation starts at cross purposes. 1/ The MDC believes that the crisis is a bilateral dispute between itself and Zanu PF, which can only be resolved by Zanu PF surrendering power to the legitimate winner of the 2018 election. Over the past two years, this has found expression as the ‘crisis of legitimacy’. 2/

In November 2017, bread was $0.90. It is now $70 as inflation rages at 837%. Contrast this with the 5% inflation projected by govt. When you project 5% inflation and end up with 837%, you are in crisis. As this thread will show, Zimbabwe meets any definition of crisis. 1/18 Inflation has wiped out salaries and pensions with government workers earning as little as $3,000 (US$30). Nurses and doctors are on strike, protesting poor pay and working conditions. Police have reacted violently to peaceful protests by nurses who demanding better pay. 2/18

1/6 The lockdown in Zimbabwe is on course to fail for a number of reasons. This is unsurprising because, from the beginning, govt misunderstood the mechanics of a lockdown which requires aggressive testing, contact tracing and effective social distancing. 2/6 The public, taking cue from govt, is not taking social distancing seriously: Cabinet still meets (other countries using video conferencing), president addressed a rally, met business community at State House and receives donations in person.