FORMER Finance minister Tendai Biti yesterday said Zimbabwe was on “auto-pilot” as concerns grew over President Robert Mugabe’s delays to announce a new Cabinet more than a month after the country held harmonised elections.
NDUDUZO TSHUMA
Senators and members of the National Assembly were sworn in last Tuesday and Mugabe had been expected to unveil new ministers immediately to tackle the multifaceted crises dogging Zimbabwe.
The 89-year-old leader is now expected to announce his Cabinet this week. He is likely to announce the second Vice-President to succeed the late John Nkomo who died last year.
Biti said the impact of the delay was already being felt in the fragile economy that has been gripped by uncertainty.
“The country continues to float aimlessly, leaderlessly, soullessly and without direction,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Without a doubt we are on auto-cruise to stagnation, if not downright destruction. “Spirits are low and confidence – particularly business confidence – is extremely low.”
The MDC-T secretary-general said there was evidence disillusioned Zimbabweans were leaving the country once again for greener pastures.
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He said the economy would also suffer from the government’s “unlawful” decision to order local authorities to write off money owed by residents’ for various services. “Where there is no leadership, chaos fills the vacuum. This country is gripped with fear, uncertainty and apprehension,” Biti said.
“So rumours, slander and idle talk are gripping the country. Everyone has a story. Everyone knows something from an undisclosed, reliable person.
“The question what is to be done is one that needs answers at micro and macro level. It is, however, one that will not be answered very quickly.” Biti suggested Mugabe was battling to balance the interests of competing Zanu PF factions, hence the delays in announcing a new Cabinet.
“Surely those ‘elected’ to govern must govern,” he said. “The country is faced with major crises requiring urgent attention.
“Take the food situation: The country has had two years of drought. “The World Food Programme for instance estimates that 2,2 million people have to be fed in the next four months, translating to one in every four requiring food assistance in rural areas.
“This means there is an emerging humanitarian crisis at the present moment. “Good and visionary leadership would demand an immediate attention to this problem.” MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said delays in announcing a new Cabinet “show a headache Mugabe has in picking a team to take Zimbabwe forward”.
“None of the people in the Zanu PF list has a clue on how the country should proceed. They have been free riders in the inclusive government,” he said.
Mwonzora said Zanu PF was still confused by its unexpected election victory (which was not achieved fairly).
MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube said it was not surprising that Mugabe had not announced a new Cabinet because he was fond of ruling unilaterally.
“That is why you see some people meant to be former ministers making pronouncements as if they represent the voice of the new government,” he said.
Dube said in a normal situation, Mugabe was expected to announce Cabinet that would pronounce new government policies.
“The difference then is on the normal situation and that which is normal to Zanu PF that we have learnt to live with – abnormal as it is,” he said.
Political analyst Godwin Phiri said the continued silence on the new Cabinet affected the country.
“Critical decisions need to be taken by substantive ministers,” Phiri said. “Investors are waiting for policy direction and unless things are clear, the country will remain on a standstill.”
Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba’s mobile phone was not reachable yesterday.
