HARARE - President Robert Mugabe’s move to award perks to “partisan” chiefs at a time the country’s economy is on a free-fall is an indication that the 90-year-old strongman is out of touch with reality, analysts and political rivals have said.
As he officially opened the chiefs’ conference in Gweru on Thursday, Mugabe gave the traditional leaders a blank cheque to choose the cars they want.
He also promised to review upwards their allowances, something he is struggling to do for the country’s civil servants.
Despite the fact that the country is bleeding, Mugabe has not cut back on government expenditure, with cabinet ministers and legislators spoilt with choice cars.
Over 280 chiefs, key pillars of the Zanu PF regime, are set to benefit from Mugabe’s latest largess.
Maxwell Saungweme, a political analyst said Mugabe’s priorities were misplaced.
“It is very irresponsible for Mugabe to make such promises.
“We all know some of these chiefs have over the years been used to drum up support for Mugabe.
“But with an ailing economy and with Chinamasa literally running out of options in terms of reviving the economy such promises should be condemned in strongest of terms,” Saungweme said.
He added that the country cannot afford to splash money when it is saddled with foreign debt.
“As a country, we cannot afford such careless expenditures when the government is broke with a staggering fiscal deficit, $10 billion foreign debt overhang and serious liquidity crunch with about four banks facing collapse,” he said.
“His promises demonstrates how he and his government are out of touch with reality on the ground.”
Jacob Mafume, spokesperson of the MDC renewal team said Zimbabwe, whose citizenry are heavily taxed, cannot afford such a “waste”.
“The government must get its priorities right because it cannot dish out cars like confetti at a wedding,” said Mafume.
“The government should create an environment where people are able to buy cars for themselves.
“The government should create job opportunities and ensure that people get decent salaries.
“Right now the government is struggling to pay civil servants.
“So, why would Mugabe want to splash money which as a country we do not have.”
Mounting economic woes have however, not deterred Mugabe and his ministers, who drive top-of-the range vehicles and lead affluent lives.
Pedzisai Ruhanya, director of Zimbabwe Democracy Institute, a political think-tank said Mugabe only cares about returning power and not the welfare of his people.
“This is his patron client relationship. It is patronage, and he uses traditional leaders to promote his political interests.
“He does not care what the country is going through and is now vote-buying in order to receive the chiefs’ backing come congress in December.”
Zanu PF is headed for an elective congress in December.