A year ago, with Zimbabwe\u2019s longtime ruler Robert Mugabe out of the picture, the troubled African country seemed to have taken a turn for the better.<\/p>\n
Mugabe\u2019s successor and the incumbent, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was speaking a new language.<\/p>\n
Politically, he was breaking away from his predecessor\u2019s ruinous and often autocratic past and presenting himself as a new man, re-engaging with the international community after years of diplomatic ostracisation.<\/p>\n
A return to democracy was expected.<\/p>\n
Economically, the 76-year old was pursuing new policies such as opening up the country for business under the \u201copen for business\u201d mantra. He was also looking to abandon controversial policies such as indigenisation \u2013 a law that compelled foreign investors with businesses with a net asset value of $1 to cede 51% equity stakes to indigenous Zimbabweans to right historical wealth imbalances.<\/p>\n
Aided by various public relations gimmicks that won him admiration, Mnangagwa was set to succeed.<\/p>\n
On one occasion, he stopped his presidential motorcade at a popular fast food outlet for a chicken meal. He is said to have waited in the queue like everyone else.<\/p>\n
Fast forward a year, the hope for a new Zimbabwe has vanished. Mnangagwa has lost support and confirmed everyone\u2019s worst fear: There is someone who can run the country worse than Mugabe.<\/p>\n
Innocent Zhakata, a book vendor on Harare\u2019s streets, told Al Jazeera things have gotten tougher since Mnangagwa took over.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife is getting tough. Prices are going up. There is no money in the economy. During Mugabe\u2019s time, life was better. People are now realising they made a mistake [supporting the military coup that catapulted Mnangagwa to power],\u201d Zhakata told Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the few months we have been with these guys, things have gotten worse. Things were better. We could buy property, furniture and other things. Now, we can\u2019t even buy clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Munyaradzi Mufambi, a 22-year-old beverage merchandiser in the capital, said the last year has been disillusioning for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not sure about the future of our generation in light of the problems we face as country. I wonder if I will ever be able to raise a family and provide for them adequately,\u201d said Mufambi.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all fairness, I don\u2019t know if the president has plans to fix the problems. Maybe he just hasn\u2019t communicated these plans to the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mufambi, like Zhakata, said the standards of living were much better under Mugabe.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven a choice between Mugabe and Mnangagwa, I would choose Mugabe,\u201d said Mufambi.<\/p>\n
\u201cSchool fees was $20 in my time. A quart of beer was $2. I have to forego beer now, save money and buy essential things. I now buy second-hand clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Promises and \u2018lies\u2019<\/p>\n
Ibbo Mandaza, a respected academic and director of a local think-tank Sapes Trust, said Mnangagwa\u2019s first year as president has been a total failure.<\/p>\n
\u201cEver since that coup in November 2017, things have actually been getting worse. It\u2019s been worse than we expected. We are now faced with a far worse political and economic crisis characterised by power shortages, rising prices, currency crisis and fuel shortages,\u201d Mandaza told Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is more worrying is that whilst we are in this crisis, there is virtual absence of government intervention. One can be forgiven for thinking there is now government. At this rate, I don\u2019t see this government getting to 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder Mugabe, things were getting bad. It\u2019s the same group of people essentially. It\u2019s them and it appears it ends with them. This can\u2019t go on forever. I am concerned with the apparent lack of alternative political solution in this crisis to step in and help end the crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the run up to the elections last year, Mnangagwa promised millions of jobs, a better life, and a better Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
A year later, none of the promises have been delivered.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe lied. We thought industries were going to open and new jobs created. He lied. None of the things he promised have been delivered,\u201d Zhakata, who was laid off from one of the country\u2019s largest bakery, Lobels, pointed out.<\/p>\n
Not many citizens will vent their anger in public.<\/p>\n
Some said Mnangagwa is far more brutal than Mugabe and an even worse dictator.<\/p>\n
In January, five months after being sworn in as the country\u2019s third president, more than 17 unarmed people were shot and killed by the military for protesting against high fuel prices.<\/p>\n
Scores were wounded or arrested. Mugabe had generally been seen as dictator, but he had never unleashed soldiers on protesters.<\/p>\n
The US imposed sanctions as a result, saying they will only be removed if Harare shows commitment and political will to return to democracy through fostering the rule of law and holding credible elections, among other key reforms.<\/p>\n
Just this week, Defence and War Veterans deputy minister Victor Matemadanda told a Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators conference in Gweru the army would crush any protests.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe law says police must use minimum force when dealing with riotous people during demonstrations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not know the level of the said minimum force. But if they fail to handle the demonstrations, the constitution says they must invite the military,\u201d Matemadanda added.<\/p>\n
Opposition MDC National Youth Assembly spokesperson Steven Chuma said Mnangagwa\u2019s short reign has been a disaster.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crystal clear that Mnangagwa has failed. Never in the history of Africa has any president failed in one year as he has failed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clampdown on dissent<\/p>\n
Mnangagwa\u2019s pledge to break with his predecessor\u2019s past autocratic policies and tactics, and introduce far-reaching reforms in the realms of business and safeguarding fundamental rights, has so far been a pipe dream for many Zimbabweans.<\/p>\n
Since the beginning of the year, there has been a clampdown on activists and opposition figures.<\/p>\n
In the past few months, the government has seemingly targeted civil society activists and workers.<\/p>\n
State security agents arrested seven activists between May 20 and 27 at Harare\u2019s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on their return from a workshop in the Maldives.<\/p>\n
Job Sikhala, deputy chair for the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was arrested last month on charges of attempting to subvert Mnangagwa\u2019s government.<\/p>\n
The basis of Sikhala\u2019s arrest was a video that circulated on social media in which he appears to be telling supporters at a rally: \u201cWe are going to take the fight to the doorsteps of Emmerson Mnangagwa. We are going to overthrow him before 2023 \u2013 that is not a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n
What political reforms?<\/p>\n
Mnangagwa has also not instituted reforms to laws seen to be unconstitutional such as the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Public Order and Security Act.<\/p>\n
The two laws were seen as an attack on fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and association.<\/p>\n
Analysts say apart from his heavy handedness and autocratic tactics, his short rule is one fraught with numerous failures.<\/p>\n
The economy is on its knees. Inflation is ravaging. General hardships are the order of the day.<\/p>\n
Power shortages have hit industry hard. Currency confidence is at its lowest.<\/p>\n
ZANU-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said Mnangagwa fared pretty fairly given the myriad of challenges he faced, such as the drought and the impact it was having on the economy.<\/p>\n
Moyo added that the government had instituted fiscal reforms that are bearing fruit as evidenced by the fiscal discipline within all government departments as well as the budget surplus.<\/p>\n
He added that the drought affected power generation in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe water level at Kariba dam is at 24% of required capacity. This has affected power generation. That is not something we have control over. But we are working to resolve this issue,\u201d said Moyo.<\/p>\n
\u201cIts been difficult for the people because of inflation. We want our people to have a good life as enunciated in our election manifesto. All the people of Zimbabwe should be well taken care of without bias and favour. Its every citizen\u2019s right. That is what we want for our people.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is among the applicants who filed court challenges against the legality of the recently incepted Statutory Instrument 142of 2019 which outlawed the use of multi-currencies in Zimbabwe in favor of the Zim-dollar.<\/p>\n
An investments analyst by profession who founded JM Busha Investment Group, a social enterprise focusing on solution-driven investment management, investment banking, long-term insurance; financial risk management solutions and general financial advisory services.<\/p>\n
The company has subsidiary companies in Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As of 30 April 2017, the group has R4.25 billion in assets under management.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A year ago, with Zimbabwe\u2019s longtime ruler Robert Mugabe out of the picture, the troubled African country seemed to have taken a turn for the better. Mugabe\u2019s successor and the incumbent, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was speaking a new language. Politically, he was breaking away from his predecessor\u2019s ruinous and often autocratic past and presenting himself as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":11464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,7],"tags":[538,55,31,149],"class_list":{"0":"post-11857","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-all-news","8":"category-files","9":"tag-files","10":"tag-government","11":"tag-mnangagwa","12":"tag-president"},"yoast_head":"\n