The Zimbabwean government has ruined the economy- Zanu PF Government has failed to provide freedom dividends.

BY RODWELL MUPUNGU

The current economic situation in Zimbabwe is very grave and impacts on a very large part of the population. Hyper inflation has reduced purchasing power. Real Gross Domestic Product has declined by 30% in the last 5 years. Annual inflation reached 1200% in 2006 – the formal threshold of hyperinflation. Continued high inflation hampers development hitting the poor hardest. This is caused by bad economic policies being persuaded by the Zimbabwe Government. Corruption is rampant; there is no rule of law, the absence of good Governance. The decline in inward investment and development assistance is further compromising the prospects for economic recovery.

Most of Zimbabwe’s (MDG’S) Millennium Development Goal’s are unlikely to be achieved by 2015 unless the political and social situation improves dramatically. Child and maternal mortality indicators show a steadily worsening situation, exacerbated by HIV and AIDS.

The succession battle has almost divided the ZANU-PF party with two factions imaging, battling to find a suitable candidate to replace the aging President Robert Mugabe. However the solution for our country is not to remove MUGABE and replace him with another dictator. The country needs a new constitution, bring President Mugabe to the negotiating table, agree on a transitional government which will then pave way for free and fair elections observed by the International observers. We will only achieve this if we work together ZCTU, Churches, ZINASU and the Civic society.

The MDC led by President Tsvangirai has stated that they will lead from the front and we in the Diaspora can also play our part by bringing the Zimbabwean Issue on the Agenda for the International Community namely UNITED NATIONS and the COMMONWEALTH. We also need to put pressure on the SADC countries to condemn the Harare government’s recent actions on peaceful demonstrations by the ZCTU. MDC-UK Leadership led by Ephraim Tapa is determined to take the fight back to the enemy, join us and be part of the struggle.

Time has come to rise to the occasion, the onus is on us fellow Zimbabweans, it is only Zimbabweans who can liberate themselves.

By Rodwell Munyaradzi Mupungu
Vice Chairman
MDC UK & Ireland
(He writes in his personal capacity)