Around a month ago, the political party of Scarfmore, Zanu pf, exhibited the exhilaration of a child before a jar of sweets at the prospect of acquiring new loans from global institutions. Curiously, the same enthusiasm doesn’t extend to receiving non-conditional loans from the party’s newly proclaimed coloniser. This presents a stark insult to the citizens of Zimbabwe as the corrupt Zanu pf continues to burden the nation with additional loans, despite their existing international obligations yielding no visible progress in justifying the billion-dollar loans.

Before settling its outstanding debts, Zanu pf seeks more financial aid. It is disheartening that Scarfmore and his illegitimate party fail to grasp the harsh reality they’ve orchestrated — the constitutional crisis leading to a state paralysis that’s accelerating towards inevitable state failure. These developments remain entirely at their doorstep. The world’s pleas for the implementation of democratic reforms to the tyrannical Zanu pf should be a wakeup call. An impending state collapse looms, beyond the reach of even the partisan military or politicised judiciary. This instability has the potential to trigger a transition towards liberal democracy, which may introduce a liberalised economy, rule of law, and devolution of power, among other changes.

Zanu pf, rather than Zimbabwe, is indebted to the World Bank to the tune of a staggering $1.052 billion. However, not a penny of this colossal sum has been invested in improving the welfare of the people, who have long been neglected by the sadistic Zanu pf. Instead, the party seems to prefer pilfering and plundering the nation’s wealth. If this money has not been funnelled towards the welfare of the people, one might question where it ended up. Was it channelled into public goods and services, such as healthcare, utilities like water or energy? An emphatic ‘no’ is the response.

Perhaps the funds were used for the modernisation and mechanisation of agriculture, or to revitalise the crumbling industry left decimated by Zanu pf’s populist policies? A basic understanding of the current situation would suggest otherwise. If the funds were indeed invested in agriculture, food insecurity, which requires $65 million to combat according to the World Food Programme, would not be prevalent. Similarly, if the money were allocated for industrial rejuvenation, the unemployment rate would not be critically high, nor would inflation be skyrocketing. Increased production would ensure that money supply matches available goods and services, and there would be no trade deficit from importing basic commodities such as toilet paper, cooking oil, matches, or even school chalks.

What does all this imply? It indicates that the debt of Zanu pf will continue to swell, bringing with it an increase in poverty and destitution, a burden shouldered by the alienated, marginalised, and miserable Zimbabweans. In October, Zanu pf reported an alarming external debt of $13.007 billion, yet no signs suggest that Scarfmore and his corrupt party have utilised these billions wisely. The evidence, seemingly, lies in offshore accounts and tax havens, underlining their cries about targeted sanctions. This remains a mystery that begs for further investigation and resolution.