Fear, hope and anxiety among Zimbabweans as SADC insists on unity govt

But many Zimbabweans remain skeptical that such an administration could stand the strain, given deep mistrust among the political leaders. In a random survey in Harare and surrounding areas, Zimbabweans told The Zimbabwean on Sunday of their fears, hopes, suspicions and anxiety about a possible unity government. Excerpts:

 
Bonnie Marange, 32, an illegal fuel dealer in Harare, said: — If everything falls into place and a unity government is eventually formed, then I hope to be going back to formal employment as a systems analyst. I will resume normal life, it's an exciting thought – but I fear a lot could go wrong with a unity government and we will be back to square one.

Masimba Chirevo, 31, an office worker in the capital, said: — Mugabe is a cunning old man. You can trust the old man at your own peril. Why are they forcing Tsvangirai to join this unity government? The SADC leaders should have referred the matter to other bodies such as the African Union (AU) rather than try to impose this unity government on us.

I think the UN would have come up with a fair proposal than the one preferred by SADC, which we know supports Mugabe. But, in the event the new government is formed the first thing it should address is the hunger situation. We can look at other issues after, when people have something to eat. 
 
 Stephen Muchira, 33, a factory worker, said: — I think the only way out of this crisis is going for another election, supervised by the United Nations (UN), SADC or AU. The MDC will never be defeated.

So, I want this (unity government) deal to collapse …. we want food on the table, and we want our kids to go to school. That can only be done if there is an acceptable government, with good international relations.

Rodwin Muparaganda, 27, a lorry drive at a farm in Karoi, about 200 km north-west of Harare, said: — I feel the MDC has nothing to lose in trying this thing. We know they are not the ones who destroyed the farms.

We know they are not the ones who messed up the economy so even if they join the unity government and that government fails that will not change the fact that Mugabe and ZANU PF are the ones who messed up things.

Peter Chitsa, 41, a labourer at a mine outside Harare, said: — There is no need for the MDC to go to bed with these people. Its better to leave the situation as it is and we go for another election. Why do we allow someone who lost an election to continue leading the country.

Mugabe should just leave office. He is long overdue for retirement. I would suggest that he should not be arrested for whatever mistakes or crimes he made in these past years. I think we just have to move forward and try to rebuild the country.

Agrippa Mambo, 40, an informal furniture manufacturer in Harare said: — I think a government of national unity by two parties that do not trust each other at all can never work.

For me the solution is not to sit here and wait for this government of national unity. I am planning to leave for South Africa and try to find a job in the furniture industry there. I here they pay better.
 
Margaret Chivanda, 36, who works at a Harare bar, said:  — We are failing to buy even sanitary pads, and you tell me there is a government. How can you have a nation of unhygienic women? Mugabe has just failed and must give others a chance and not try to cling onto power through this unity government thing.

Elijah Mambo, 22, a student at the University of Zimbabwe, said: — Nothing has changed because SADC stuck to its previous stance and we are going to suffer. But it's a victory for ZANU PF.

For democracy we have moved one step backward. They have postponed Zimbabwe's economic crisis to another period of suffering. ZANU PF must not share power which was not given to them in the first place. We should simply go for another election.
 
Martha Hondoma, 23, a vegetable vendor from Warren Park suburb in Harare, said: — We need a government that makes polices that will allow us go up with our businesses.

We used to tales of people who became big shots in Zimbabwe but after starting off selling vegetables. But that was then, for this generation it will remain a pipedream.

We are poor trillionaires. Every day I generate the trillions but I am worth nothing, my children are suffering. If a government of national unity will give our children and us food on the table then so be it. But if this will lead to more tears then it must not go ahead.