Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission tells leaders to reduce their extravagance

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, an independent institution set up under the country’s constitution, says leaders must be exemplary and reduce their own extravagance and not make the poor bear the bigger brunt and consequences of their policies and decisions.

In a statement on the prevailing economic crisis in the country, the commission said Zimbabwe’s leaders must take urgent steps to rescue the current situation and protect the value of people’s savings, incomes and pensions.

Zimbabwe has been going through economic turmoil since 1 October following the announcement of its money policy and fiscal measures meant to turn around the country’s economy which included a two percent tax on transactions.

“Zimbabwe, as a member State, has made commitments to work towards the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals whose key targets include; ending poverty in all its forms everywhere; promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all; and reducing inequality within and among countries,” the commission said.

“Sustainable development must, therefore, aim to reduce inequality and suffering among all members of the Zimbabwean society.

“The ZHRC urges the national leadership to take urgent steps to rescue the situation as well as protect the value of savings, incomes and pensions.

“Leaders must also be exemplary and reduce their own extravagance and not make the poor in society bear the bigger brunt and consequences of their policies and decisions.”

The commission urged leaders to speak with one voice because discord and contradictions led to uncertainties and speculative behaviour.

It also condemned token and selective prosecution of perpetrators of economic crimes and corruption that are bleeding the economy and leading to untold suffering among ordinary citizens.

Chief magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said recently 36 corruption cases had been brought before the courts since President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in November last year but only two had so far been concluded.

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