via ‘Mugabe operating unstable govt’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 4, 2015
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday claimed that President Robert Mugabe was operating an unstable government, was under siege from Zanu PF internal fights, and could not cope with the demands of an imploding economy due to his advanced age.
BY MOSES MATENGA
Speaking to NewsDay in an interview at his Harvest House party headquarters, Tsvangirai predicted doom and gloom for the country. He accused Mugabe (91) of creating an environment conducive for chaos by failing to address the country’s economic woes.
He said Mugabe failed to restore public confidence during his recent State of the Nation Address.
“Let’s be fair, the man is under siege. His government is unstable because of the current internal machinations, the economy is imploding and the party is also imploding and he can’t do anything because of his advanced age. Age is a factor, the world has moved from the rhetoric of imperialism and all that,” Tsvangirai said.
The MDC-T leader vowed to resist any future attempts to railroad him into a deal to rescue the Zanu PF regime.
“We helped the people but also helped Zanu PF to survive. We won’t resurrect Zanu PF again,” he said.
“We have to agree on issues. That was the case before and if before 2008 we were in a similar position, what stops us now? We went into government to tackle issues, but there was so much dishonesty and insincerity during the GPA days and so we no longer talk of GPA, but elections.
“My view is there is a glaring contrast between the GNU days and the current situation of doom and gloom, it is very painful that whereas you should have a positive trajectory, we have sunk to even greater chaos.”
He said it was possible to have dialogue among political parties for the good of the country, adding he was the first to suggest such a move a year ago.
Tsvangirai said Mugabe must move away from the rhetoric of saying Zanu PF will go it alone.
On MDC-T internal fights, Tsvangirai said as captain of the “ship” he was convinced the party was stable despite “noise among passengers”.
Tsvangirai said he was not compromised by his stay at government’s Highlands mansion as he was entitled to it and had also put some money “into the house”.
“It is my right to be in that house,” he said.
COMMENTS
Tsvangirai had his chances. Nothing new. New ideas are needed. Strong and HONEST leadership is needed. An ethical government that enforces rule of law and property rights. Even with those attributes, I don’t think Zimbabwe is capable. Too much human capital flight (both black and white). Hard to change old ways. Modern, business level agriculture is dead. A country can’t build upon primitive indigenous agriculture. Healthcare, education have decayed. Most of those professionals have left. It will take a generation or two to just get back to where Zim was in 1980. I don’t see it happening.