A well established Mnangagwa ally who is also the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting , Energy Mutodi has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to consider setting up an inclusive government to avoid what he says is an imminent crisis triggered by failure to arrest persistent economic challenges.
Speaking to journalists following respected ZANU PF elder Rugare Gumbo’s comments and refusal to re-join the ruling party, the outspoken government deputy spokesman said there were some issues raised by the retired politician that ZANU PF and the government needed to take seriously especially the need to pass the baton to the younger generation.
“There is real need for ZANU PF leaders to work on a roadmap to pass the leadership over to the younger generation if the revolutionary party is to avoid political extinction”, he said adding anyone keen to take on MDC leader Nelson Chamisa in 2023 under the current conditions risked taking ZANU PF down the drain for good. A Chamisa contest with any of the ZANU PF old guard will be unfair as the ruling party will be outplayed due to a new wave of young voters who are demanding a new political style also called generational renewal.
Speaking on the possibility of an inclusive government Mutodi said it was time political leaders stopped playing hide and seek games and unite in order to end political polarization that he said was a master stroke against efforts to revive the economy.
“With sanctions in place, it was an oversight on our part to introduce austerity measures as they have the tendency to slow down the economy while public anger rises due to price shocks and exchange rate driven inflation. This is in view of the fact that austerity measures encourage salary freezes and block government from spending its disposable income; creating a lukewarm economy characterized by suffering of the masses. Such conditions are favorable for civil unrests and even a rebellion as police and army officers tend to sympathize with the suffering public. It is therefore imperative that an inclusive government needs to be set up to allow a multi-faceted approach and cohesion in ending the current economic setbacks.
Bulawayo 24
