Just days after President Robert Mugabe handed over the Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairmanship to Botswana’s president Ian Khama, Zimbabweans are calling on Mr. Mugabe, who is also the chairman of the African Union, to focus on addressing pressing matters at home, in particular the ailing economy.
Political parties and civil society groups have warned that Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political situation, if not contained, can be a threat to the Southern African region’s stability, especially as companies continue to scale down and workers being sent home with very little or no benefits.
For perspective, reporter Tatenda Gumbo spoke with Zanu PF Central Committee member, David Ndlovu, and Obert Mpofu, spokesman of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai.
The two differed on what needs to be done with the ruling party member blaming Zimbabwe’s woes on foreign interference and the opposition saying Mr. Mugabe should leave after calling an all-stakeholders meeting to map the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Gutu said Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political situation is simply abnormal.
But Ndlovu said most of the problems are a result of targeted sanctions imposed by the West on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle and corruption.