You there? Makoni asks silent #mugabe

via You there?, Makoni asks silent Mugabe 05/02/2014 NewZimbabwe

OPPOSITION Mavambo leader Simba Makoni has called on President Robert Mugabe to “come out of his closet” and provide direction on the crisis gripping the country.

In his overview of the state of the country’s economic and socio-political situation Wednesday Makoni said the current furore over executive salaries needed to be addressed from the highest office in the land.

“Mugabe cannot accept to be the country’s first citizen and not carry the responsibility that comes with that office. The buck stops with him,” said Makoni.

The opposition politician is a former Zanu PF politburo member said he believed Mugabe was aware of what was going on regarding the obscene salaries.

“If a board appointed by a minister who, in turn, reports to the President and Parliament did not do their work then we have every right to say that Mugabe is equally culpable. He was in the loop and probably turned a blind eye,” Makoni said.

“The country needs direction and that has not been provided but we will give Mugabe the benefit of doubt only if he can come out and tell the nation his position on the matter.

“Zimbabweans do not know what is happening given the negative interventions at Harare City Council by Local government minister Ignatius Chombo. Only the chief executive officer of Zimbabwe Incorporated can stop the rot,” said Makoni.

The fact that Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa presented a budget that was varied by a rise in civil servant wages in less than a week shows a dysfunctional government or one at war with itself, Makoni added.

“Unless Chinamasa is cheating Zimbabweans because it is difficult to understand why the minister, in his budget, did not foresee the salary variation or increase as well as the shrinkage in revenue collections by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA),” the opposition leader said.

Following the announcement of the national budget ZIMRA chairperson Stanford Moyo announced that the tax collector had failed to meet its targets by 18 percent. Makoni said this poked holes into Chinamsa’s budget.

“Chinamasa could have had the carpet pulled from under his feet and this could be an indication of a government at war with itself or, better still, in a state of disarray,” said Makoni.

“My reading is that members of this government are not moving in unison. If Chinamasa knew that the budget was going to be overshot then what was the rationale, unless he is cheating Zimbabweans.”