Closing of democratic space by repressive laws including Public Order and Security
Act (POSA), Criminal Codification Act, Access to Information and Protection of
Privacy Act (AIPPA), among a slew of others
Abductions that occur every now and then, depriving victimised citizens of their
liberties and at times their lives; as well as depriving families of their loved ones.
The failure of government to provide employment (decent work) for citizens
The holding of hostage of economic development and other processes by politics.
Almost everything is politicised at the expense of the citizens. Resources are
politicised, state institutions are politicised, state apparatus like Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Corporation, security forces, among others, are politicised. Parastatals
are politicised and militarised. A host of other entities and processes are hardly
apolitical resulting in a very thin line, sometimes invisible, between state and party.
Even food and input distributions are politicised, as are education assistance
instruments, including the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM).
The displacement of 73 462 vendors and confiscation of goods worth $579 239 (Stats
from Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation [Viset])
House demolitions in a number of areas leaving thousands of people homeless and
desperate. And most critical the Murambatsvina clean up exercise of 2005
The failure of government to provide a social safety net for its citizens. Schools,
hospitals, clinics and other services are far below minimum standards
Failure of government to provide safe and adequate water, generate steady supply of
electricity, build, repair and provide infrastructure such as roads and others
Failure of government to plan strategically ahead and not find itself with starving
masses when droughts or other mishaps occur. The four million who face starvation
today on the back of the El Nino induced drought would not be starving if
government had planned well ahead and shown more fiscal responsibility and
sufficient care and concern for the citizens.
Failure of the executive to foster a culture of Constitutionalism. The Constitution has
been reduced to a paper tiger and hundreds of laws remain not harmonised with the
Supreme Charter, three years after it came into being.
All the above are NOT what the liberation struggle was about. This is contrary to what
the war stood for. The liberation struggle was so that the citizens of this country would
have freedom with all the attendant civil liberties; that the masses would equitably enjoy
and benefit from the resources of this country; that peace and harmony would prevail.
May all, the leaders and the led, ensure the purpose and the gains of independence are
truly upheld. Anything else less than that negates the essence of the Chimurenga.
May Independence truly mean what it is supposed to mean for the citizens – selfdetermination with dignity, justice, development and peace for all. ###
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