Life Still Tough A Year After Mnangagwa Took Over

By Nyasha B Dube

Zvishavane – It has been a year since the ouster of former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, but Zimbabweans’ hope that their lives will improve is fast evaporating.

Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe since 1980. He was forced out on 21 November last year by the military and threats of impeachment. One of his former Vice Presidents, Emmerson Mnangagwa became the new ruler.

Mnangagwa who was the preferred leader by the army took over on the back of promises to revitalise the economy, attract foreign investment and job creation. The plight of struggling Zimbabweans has not improved. If anything, things seem to be getting worse and the economy is weaker than ever.

The cost of living has become unaffordable for the majority of Zimbabweans.

Some people who spoke to VoteWatch263 said Mnangagwa had recorded more failures than successes in the year under review.

“While we supported the November coup because we felt it was the only way Mugabe would resign, we are beginning to feel like we were used to satisfy someone’s political dream. The economic situation has not changed. It has become worse,” said a Zvishavane resident, Austin Madakadze.

He added that corruption was not being genuinely dealt with and that post-election political violence experienced under Mugabe was still prevalent.

Another Zvishavane resident, Tinaye Moyo noted that “There have been minor positive changes and these had to do with the opposition being able to campaign peacefully throughout the country. The other thing that gave us hope was the government opening up the country to international election observers but apart from that, our economic situation has remained dire.”