Zimbabwe business silent as the country’s economy continues to teeter

Even a National Economic Council, agreed to by ZANU-PF and the opposition under the 2009 power-sharing deal, to involve the political parties and business in policy making, never materialised and was probably the least spoken about violation of the pact. Even during the relative peace of the unity government, business could not find its voice.

The fear is real.

For over a decade, some bank executives had been forced into exile, accused of externalising money. None of the cases ever got a conviction, but many black entrepreneurs saw their empires ruined overnight. The price war had only added to the fear.

Now, when the President goes on his many foreign trips, even to economic summits, he takes a coterie of politicians along. Business is left behind. On his April tour of Iran, Zuma took with him a delegation of 200 people, many of them businesspeople, despite their criticism of his administration.

Ahead of  ZANU-PF’s annual conference later this month, VP Phelekezela Mphoko complained that “some blue-chip companies that are performing well are not willing to help the party in its fundraising activities, yet they are the direct beneficiaries of its policies”.

Big business must give its money, but must keep its opinions to itself. And that is how ZANU-PF prefers to relate to business. It wants a robber-victim relationship; give us your money, and keep quiet. And business has done just that. While their businesses crumble, they have chosen not to speak out. It’s all about self-preservation.

After all, who didn’t see Zanu PF youths outside Nandos in 2011, threatening to beat up staff and close the business after that “Last Dictator Standing” advert?-The Source

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