After independence in 1980, Mugabe embarked on an ambitious programme of
socio-economic development, which he financed by borrowing way beyond what
Zimbabwe could sustain. Mugabe’s initial exuberance was fuelled by a number
of unusual factors, including a commodity boom, the promise of more aid than
eventually arrived, expectations of a peace dividend, as well as initial
high rates of economic growth. When Mugabe’s policies hit the skids, sending
the economy into a tailspin, Zimbabwe’s professional class voted with its
feet, seeking greener pastures in South Africa, Europe and the US. Those who
stayed behind did so because they had the financial means to withstand the
effects of hyperinflation. Lacking the skills passport needed to enter the
global job marketplace, the poor were either stuck in Zimbabwe or driven by
hunger to risk life and limb by jumping the fence to work in South Africa.
Throughout all this, Mugabe was in denial.
Now he wants the rest of the world to give Zimbabwe up to $10 billion to
inject some life into the economy. You can bet Mugabe expects all of this
money to be given to Zimbabwe without any conditions. South Africa, along
with other Southern Africa leaders, has agreed to back Zimbabwe’s rescue
plan. Last year, it gave Zimbabwe R300 million and plans to chip in another
R225m over the next three years. I have no doubt Mugabe’s administration
cannot account fully for how the R300m was used. Nor can the South African
government certify it was not siphoned off by Mugabe and his cronies. This
is a dereliction of duty by our government. Our constitution enjoins the
national treasury, for example, "to ensure transparency, accountability and
sound financial controls in the management of public finances". Treasury has
lived up to this mandate in terms of the management of the country’s
finances. It has, among other things, introduced transparency and
predictability to the budget, largely through the three-year budgeting
cycle, the introduction of the mid-term budget statement, and the detailed
documentation that comes with the announcements.
This constitutional requirement should also apply to monies spent outside
our borders. That means Pretoria should insist Harare account fully for what
it does with our money. After all, it’s our tax rands that are being used to
dig Zimbabwe out of the hole Mugabe deliberately sank his country in. It is
a responsibility our government owes its citizens. It is their money, money
they worked hard for, that is being given to Zimbabwe. Although most
citizens will be happy to help their fellow Africans, they have the right to
expect that their hard-earned money will be used for the benefit of the
poor. It is time South Africa demanded accountability by the Zimbabwean
government for how it uses financial aid. Our tax Rands should not be used
to subsidise Grace Mugabe’s shopping expeditions, or to satiate Morgan
Tsvangirai’s expensive whisky tastes. That may sound harsh, but that’s what
a good neighbour would do.
Post published in: News