Chronicle Editor
Stephen Mpofu
Perspective
JUST when the rest of the world concurs that Zimbabwe has virtually emerged victorious against illegal Western economic sanctions intended to annul our hard-won independence and freedom in favour of neo-colonialism — witness the overwhelming success of the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair at which foreign countries including those who impose sanctions on us participated — we ironically wage a silent war with quiet, but serious repercussions against ourselves prior to harmonised elections intended to chart a new victorious path into a brave new future.
We are talking here about businesses surreptitiously resorting to high parallel market prices for their goods with the result that the equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars skyrockets beyond the reach of many people who become deprived of vital necessities of life as a result.
For instance, many schools now charge fees in United States dollars when parents or guardians of school going children earn incomes in local currency that hardly match the parallel market prices charged.
Which is why many vocal voices have been heard in recent days calling on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to move in at speed against hyperinflation which seriously erodes the buying power of many low-income earners with poverty and suffering and a resort to crime by some people to make ends meet becoming a reality for high inflation victims.
Malnutrition because of poor diets in families that cannot afford high food prices will result in children suffering from kwashiorkor and marasmus when these evils should never ever be allowed to rear their evil heads against young generations that should be raised with robust health as future leaders of our motherland.
And come to think of it, these high prices coming as they are doing on the eve of the general elections due in the next few months, people, at least those unable to cope with the horrendous living standards caused by high inflation — and you can imagine how many will bear the brunt of the extortionate prices in the whole country — are likely to vent their anger on the Government and the ruling party in the forthcoming elections.
Which impels the Second Republic to consolidate its known unwavering interests in the protection and welfare of the Zimbabwean people by ensuring that hyper-inflation is a no-go area in our developing economy.
This will tie in with calls by Government and ruling political party leaders against violence especially by youths in the run up to the polls as ruling and opposition parties jockey for support at the polls.
Zimbabweans should have the sense to realise that political violence discredits the outcome of the elections and with that those forming the next government.
The revolution that reunited us again with our country after colonialism — which had virtually dehumanised us, must prevail once more in our country’s next elections to once again chart a better new future for all with unity which engenders peace and stability prevailing ad infinitum.
Sidumisile Mabena