POLITICAL analysts and opposition parties yesterday roundly criticised President Robert Mugabe’s tough stance against re-engagement with the international community, saying the move was likely to derail all efforts to revive the economy.
Mugabe told mourners at the burial of the Retired Brigadier-General Felix Muchemwa on Sunday that he would rather stick to government policies which scared foreign investors than be a recipient of conditional aid from Western countries, particularly Britain and America.
This came as pictures of Mugabe sitting while Muchemwa’s body was being lowered into the grave caused a stir on social media with some people questioning his ability to continue in office.
Analyst Pedzisayi Ruhanya described Mugabe’s remarks as retrogressive.
“It’s not pragmatic for the President to be that blunt in his quest to re-engage the international community. It’s very unhelpful particularly in a situation where we have liquidity crisis and when the government cannot pay civil servants in time and when people are suffering,” he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said: “Because of Zanu PF regime’s ruinous economic policies coupled with unprecedented corruption, Zimbabwe’s economy has been trashed and vandalised. Mugabe should be advised that up until such a time that his moribund regime repeals draconian pieces of legislation such as the Indigenisation Act, the economy shall remain in the cooler.”
People’s Democratic Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said Mugabe should urgently change his management style and stop giving out multi-million tenders to non-performers.
MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said Zimbabwe now needed an honest leadership that could stir it out of the current problems.
“These are sentiments of a shameless scoundrel that has failed to deliver on promises. Zimbabwe needs foreign direct investment and that can only happen if Mugabe scraps investment laws that are frustrating investors,” he added.
Coalition of Democrats chairperson Gilbert Dzikiti urged Mugabe to swallow his pride and engage the international community.
“Mugabe is living in his own wonderland, he is in isolation from the stark reality facing common Zimbabweans. He is obviously speaking for his band of looters and mafia oligarchy devoid of human empathy,” Dzikiti said.