Zimbabwean workers squirm under mounting bills

By Desmond Kumbuka

A cartoon graphically illustrating the plight of Zimbabweans recently went “viral” on Harare’s informal media grapevine.

It showed , albeit metaphorically, a rather unfortunate Zimbabwean worker being literally wrung out like a piece of laundry by grasping hands – each labeled Zesa, Zinwa, Zimra, Council, ZBC – all seemingly squeezing the lifeblood from the scrawny form of the wretched fellow.

I was instantly reminded of the government’s rather ambivalent reaction to the fall of crude oil prices on the global market.

Where it was expected the government would pass on the benefit of this rare turn of fortune by reducing fuel prices for the local consumers as other countries, such as neighbouring South Africa has done, typically, the profligate “vampire government” of Zimbabwe sought instead to exploit the situation by hiking duties to boost its own coffers.

Zimbabwe’s increasingly mendicant government rather than look for other innovative ways to raise revenues for its operations, is characteristically more inclined to focus on areas of least resistance –, increasing toll – gates and fees, this in addition to ubiquitous police road blocks to fleece ever more money from the motorists in fines and penalties, and extortionate taxes and levies targeting both individuals and corporates.

Little wonder that Zimbabweans are said to be among the most taxed citizens on earth.

And it is not only central government whose enduring proclivity is dipping into the pockets of the poor when ever need for more money presses.

In fact, it now appears the most efficient arms of, for instance the Harare City Council, are its billing and water disconnection departments.

Of late, these departments have descended on besieged rate payers demanding they cough-up any outstanding arrears or face the prospect of water supplies being cut-off not withstanding the fact much that much of the water flowing from our taps is clearly unfit for human consumption.

Residents in some areas can be heard ululating when a refuse truck makes the rare appearance in their neighbourhood. This is because refuse removal has become irregular and unpredictable.

The same is the case when electricity is turned on after lengthy power-cuts under the punitive load-shedding regime.

“Magetsi adzoka , Magetsi adzoka,” children can be heard chanting in celebration because then, they can go back to watching television or playing computer games, routine things that children in places where services such as electricity are normal take for granted.

On the other side, scandal-ridden ZBC, as if not to be outdone, is extending its own talons into the ravaged pockets of the public to grab any residual cents left after the council, Zesa , Zinwa and schools have exacted their pound of flesh.

They have even entered into an unholy alliance with Zinara (Zimbabwe National Roads Administration) to ambush motorists as they license their vehicles threatening them that driving around without a vehicle radio license is an prosecutable offence.

At the other end, hordes of ZBC license inspectors are on the prowl in residential areas intimidating households to buy tv licenses or face prosecution even when many of them are subscribers to DStv.

What makes the circumstances of the Zimbabwean worker even more tragic is the fact that while scores have already lost their jobs in unscheduled retrenchments as companies close down due to the untenable business environment, many more continue to go to work even though not receiving any pay at the end of the month because their employers can no longer afford to pay them.

Scores of workers in a cross section of commerce and industry who have not been paid for months but are still expected to pay council charges, Zinwa rates, electricity bills and school fees for the children to say nothing of providing food vital to keep body and soul together.

What is even more tragic is that those in government leadership positions appear to be so detached from the reality on the ground that they remain oblivious to the suffering of the majority.

Nothing could have illustrated this more than the unfortunate remarks of the newly appointed second Vice President Phekezela Mphoko quoted in the media as criticizing able-bodied men for resorting to vending, as if suggesting there are alternatives sources of income for them.

“ I have got my own views regarding vending where you find an able-bodied man seated selling tomatoes. There are better things to do for someone who is fit except for those who are indisposed and physically-challenged,” the vice president said.

“You should wake up and see what you can do for a living. We cannot tolerate a man who is fit, sitting down and selling tomatoes. No, let’s do something better,” he reportedly said.

This is a gratuitous slur on the efforts of multitudes forced to eke a precarious existence through vending because the government, in which Mphoko is now VP, has destroyed the economy through incompetence, corruption, ill-advised policies, and in many cases, plain stupidity.

It is disingenius to criticize a university graduate for selling air-time on a street corner because he can not find a job for which he trained. Policy makers like Mphoko should shoulder the responsibility for the economic decline that has reduced Zimbabwe to a nation of vendors.

Indeed, It is this environment of desperation that has spawned a mendicant society that has to depend on the largesse of the few privileged individuals with connections with the rich and powerful that provide them access to resources.

It is fair to say President Robert Mugabe’s well-horned patronage system is founded on maintaining a dependent society which is powerless, malleable and exploitable. It is on this hungry and hopelessly insecure society that predatory political vultures prey and extract underserved votes and support.

A pervasive notion of “If you can’t beat them, join them,” becomes the key survival tactic of the disadvantaged majority.

He who wields influence on resources becomes the purveyor of life, hence some of the obsequious blandishments of some of the followers of political leaders in the hope that they will not be forgotten in the enjoyment of the “fruits of independence.”

The controversial indigenization undertaking is a powerful patronage tool in winning the support of many hungry Zimbabweans seeking easy induction into the business world.

Many of the beneficiaries of land reform programme, despite support through heavily discounted or free inputs, failed dismally to run the farms they took over from whites profitably. Some thought increasing their land holdings by acquiring more farms would translate into greater profits to support their lavish lifestyles.

This has not happened because many of them failed to recognize the fact that farming can only succeed, if handled like any other business – frugal, hands-on management to ensure optimum application of resources.

Unfortunately, many of the new farm owners were parastatal heads and chief executive officers of various companies who felt they could juggle farming and their other professions.

Many regarded farming as a pastime or hobby to indulge during the weekend while holding down their city jobs for the rest of the week.

Many of the previously thriving farms became weekend retreats for city-based professionals   where they can unwind from the pressures of the city.

Yet, the reality is far from this fantasy. Farms are supposed to be factories of primary raw materials and food production. Any farmer worth his salt will tell you farming is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days in a year occupation.

Some manufacturing companies and city based enterprises can afford the luxury of a weekend off or annual shut-downs but tending crops and livestock demands constant presence and undivided commitment.

The lackadaisical approach to farming by a great majority of our “cell phone farmers” is largely to blame to the failure of the new landowners to be productive and profitable on the farms.