HARARE – Zimbabwean opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has issued a scathing critique of the government’s handling of the drought gripping Zimbabwe, accusing authorities of failing to institute measures to contain the disaster on time.
Chamisa’s sentiments come as a response to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s declaration of the El-Nino induced drought as a national disaster.
The President further indicated that the country needs at least US$2 billion to avert the crisis.
Chamisa, however, argued that the current crisis was not just a weather phenomenon, but a consequence of “leadership drought and strategy.” He pointed to warnings from international organisations and Zimbabwe’s own experts that were allegedly ignored for over a year.
Chamisa criticised the delayed declaration of a state of emergency as “too little, too late,” highlighting a lack of preparedness for the drought’s impact.
He argued that Zimbabwe has the potential to be more resilient, citing underdeveloped dams and a lack of water management strategies as missed opportunities.
“Declaring a state of emergency after the fact is too little too late, lame and lacking. We’ve ignored warnings from experts including the UN (United Nations), WHO (World Health Organisation), WFP (World Food Programme) and our own meteorological teams who gave these warnings more than a year ago. Our lack of preparedness shows that the drought of leadership and strategy is our biggest drought hazard.
“We’ve got dams, but they’re underdeveloped, silting up with no de-silting plans. We have too many undeveloped dam sites. We lack the right water harnessing and harvesting plans,” he said.
Chamisa presented his “Green Agenda revolution” as a solution, emphasising proactive planning and climate-smart practices. He called for effective water management and sustainable land use to overcome future challenges.
The former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader who ditched the party he founded two years ago, also criticised the government’s reactive approach, claiming it has resulted in lost lives.
Haaa na which de Opposition na Chamisa lead na
Opposition always opposition nekumunda ndizvozvo isina kunaya mvura yacho chii chinobuda mumunda macho
Gurwe
Mr Sell out
Flavin Msekaz sell out and cowards are just the same like you who Voices on social media but can’t act on the ground
Wayne Zulucowboy kkkkk Im not a sell out coz andina kusiya vanhu musango saiye
What happened to the blue movement we don’t see videos on social media these days
Nzara irikwese haisi muzimbabwe chete dont politicise and drought
The sellout of the century
That’s all he knows