Dear Editor,
The Zimbabwe government is corrupt. There really is no other way of looking at things. The Herald of August 26, 2008, refers to Mr Mugabe diabolizing some ministers in his cabinet employing passionate language.
The Herald quotes him as saying, “This Cabinet that I had was the worst in history. They look at themselves. They are unreliable, but not all of them.”
I am disgusted by the inability of Zimbabwean government ministers since independence; they have lacked the art of constructive criticism.
Today, Mugabe rebukes the present ministers, drawing applause from the same troop being attacked. No one has ever through the years dared tell Mugabe not to take the people for granted. He has taken the country for a ride, including his own ministers, and today he continues to appease the people by rhetoric.
It has always been known that Mugabe’s cabinet over the years was made of deadwood – men and women wrapped in the veil of personal love. The admission that some of his ministers have been selfish and unreliable, calls for resignations. If Mugabe has admitted that, what has he done thus far to deal with the members of his corrupt and unreliable government? If Mugabe were to be taken seriously with his call for a transparent government, he would have to begin by admitting his own shortcomings.
This comes out of true introspection, from one who respects the nation. He should borrow a leaf from the former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur’s book.
He had ruled the island for thirteen years until the beginning of this year, and said in the chamber: “I want without equivocation or without any reservation to accept full and utter responsibility for everything that was done by any officer, by any member of the Cabinet, by any official, during the three terms that I was leader of this country. I accept utter responsibility…” That is wisdom, and Mugabe needs to admit he is equally responsible for the failures of his government, even if he did not actually know of some wrongdoings. As it is, Mugabe has admitted that he is but an orator who prides himself in making statements, but has done very little to tame his ministers since independence.
Unless Mr Mugabe translates thoughts and words into concrete steps for action, they are pointless. In life, success is not measured by the words we speak but by the actions we take. In politics, as in business, we do not bank philosophies.
Apparently, he reneged on the power-sharing talks with Mr Tsvangirai because he wanted to retain executive power and give to Mr Tsvangirai a ‘circus’ prime minister’s post that would require the prime minister to report to the president. Mugabe wants to retain control of the military and give to Tsvangirai the finance ministry, knowing fully well that the leader of the opposition would resuscitate the economy through support from the international community.
How many of Mugabe’s ministers have been sacked to date? I bet there are none, so what effect do his words have other than insult the people even more.
Mugabe should ceremoniously resign and let people-driven governance lead the country.
Yours faithfully,
Clyde B. Chakupeta
