In an unsettling reality of our present times, the actions of Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, can best be compared to a futile pursuit of a cockroach in a room, while choosing to overlook the conspicuous ‘elephant’ within that same space. The elephant, in this case, represents the core issues eating into the nation’s fabric, while the cockroach represents less significant distractions. Meanwhile, the stark decline of the local currency against the United States Reserve currency continues unabated, clearly evidencing the flaws in the approach adopted by the party.
The ruling Zanu PF, notorious for its blatant lack of consideration for the welfare of its people, has chosen to turn a blind eye to the urgency of arresting this economic decay. Instead, their focus has been on superfluous activities, such as printing alleged gold coins, citing sanctions, and borrowing heavily, devoid of any accountability and transparency. This unproductive strategy parallels the ‘cockroach chasing’ analogy, bearing no fruit while the ‘elephant’ – the vital issues – remains unresolved.
The party, seemingly entrapped in their web of deceit and destruction, has not only overlooked the gravity of their actions but have also displayed a stark ignorance of their role in precipitating the continuous devaluation of the local currency. Once proudly classified as the strongest in the region, the currency now serves as a painful reminder of the state’s short-sightedness and lack of understanding of the economic realities in play.
The education sector of the nation, a sector critical to understanding and countering such economic realities, lies in a state of paralysis. The common citizen, unaware of the complexities of the regional economic landscape, is left grappling with the consequences of Zanu PF’s unproductive policies and ill-informed assertions.
Unless drastic measures are taken, the situation threatens to persist. Among these, the revitalisation of the nation’s supreme law stands as a critical requirement. The ruling party, infamous for mutilating and assaulting the supreme law, must reevaluate their stance and realise that their hold on power must be legitimate, constitutional, and for the welfare of the people.
This shift towards the rule of law, away from their current ‘rule by law’, will serve as a barrier against the effects of their exploitation and terrorism. It would also mean a significant enhancement of human and property rights, transparency and accountability – elements currently lacking but necessary to curb the rampant extraction, predation, and the party’s parasitic behaviour.
The ruling Zanu PF must realise that their current strategies are analogous to chasing a cockroach, while the fat elephant – the pressing issues of the economy – remains ignored. A rethink of their approach, a move towards transparency, accountability, and a focus on the larger issues at hand, is not just essential, it is the only path that can lead the nation towards recovery and growth.