A listener slammed ZANU PF Information Director, Tafadzwa Mugwadi, and Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) party president, Linda Masarira, for blaming sanctions for the country’s economic challenges during an interview on State-owned radio, Star FM.
Mugwadi and Masarira were panelists alongside economist Gift Mugano on Star FM’s Muriro’s On Monday show.
They had been invited to discuss whether Zimbabwe had the capacity to speak with one voice over the issue of sanctions.
The unidentified listener asked host Linda Muriro how those complaining about sanctions could still afford top-of-the-range vehicles despite the restrictions.
The listener, who dropped his call before sharing his name and location, added that ZANU PF even had money to buy the same cars for their violent youths. He said:
I have a problem with these people who are saying sanctions, sanctions, sanctions.
Sanctions are not even affecting us, but corruption is the main problem affecting us.
If you are to see vehicles being used by these people you will be amazed.
They would not buy those vehicles if they were being affected by sanctions, yet they buy the most expensive vehicles even for their own youths.
In 2019, ZANU PF set aside US$15 million to import off-road vehicles for its officials in the Central Committee, and its 210 parliamentary candidates, district chairpersons, and women’s and youth leagues’ chairpersons.
The vehicles included 4×4 Isuzu, Ford Ranger, and VW Amarok.
Meanwhile, Masarira argued that while it cannot be disputed that corruption is rampant in Zimbabwe, sanctions provided a fertile ground for graft. | NewZimbabwe.com