ZANU PF’s Special Economic Zones Fall Flat in Rural Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been marred by various policy initiatives such as ZIMASSET, the Look East policy, and the much-touted Fantasy 2030. These endeavors have one striking commonality – they all stem from the troubled roots of ZANU PF, the ruling party, and are emblematic of its failure to address the pressing needs of its citizens for prompt, reliable, and affordable service delivery. As a result of rampant corruption and mismanagement, these policies have served as feeble beacons in the tumultuous sea of poverty, despair, and misery that engulfs the nation.
The question that lingers is: who bears the brunt of ZANU PF’s ill-conceived plans? Is it the urban populace or the rural communities? The answer is unequivocal – none benefit from these hollow promises. Fantasy 2030, the Look East policy, and the National Destruction Strategy One are nothing but empty rhetoric for the majority of rural farmers operating at a subsistence level. These individuals, trapped in a cycle of dependence on ZANU PF, are subjected to partisan distribution of food aid, ensuring their continued reliance on the ruling party and coerced votes of gratitude.
While ZANU PF is well aware of the pressing issues at hand, its proposed solutions, like the notion of special economic zones, remain detached from the reality faced by Zimbabweans. The question arises: Can special economic zones resurrect those who fell victim to ZANU PF’s extrajudicial killings? What about those who endured physical and psychological trauma at the hands of the regime, hindering the exercise of their constitutional rights?
ZANU PF must confront its role in the economic decline marked by aggressive deindustrialization, widespread unemployment, and a culture of looting and plundering. Instead of introspection, the party clings to outdated agricultural practices like Pfumvudza, which only serve as a front for partisan distribution of agricultural inputs. These practices are hardly the foundation for the establishment of special economic zones, which are paradoxically marketed as people-centric initiatives.
For Zimbabweans who have suffered the brunt of ZANU PF’s misrule for decades, skepticism runs deep. The lack of accountability and transparency mechanisms to deter looting and corruption remains a significant concern. ZANU PF’s close alignment with the state and its preference for a one-party rule only exacerbates this issue. Without addressing these fundamental problems, special economic zones are destined to meet the same fate as previous failed initiatives like the Economic Structural Adjustment Program, farm mechanization programs, and ZIMASSET. Special economic zones, it seems, are merely a distraction from the root causes of Zimbabwe’s woes.
In conclusion, ZANU PF’s empty promises and misplaced priorities have left the people of Zimbabwe disillusioned and skeptical of any meaningful change. As long as the ruling party fails to address its own shortcomings and provide genuine accountability and transparency, the prospect of real progress remains a distant dream for the nation.