Zanu (PF) wants diasporans home

Millions of Zimbabweans fled the country at the end of the 1990s during the economic and political turmoil. The majority of them crossed the Limpopo into South Africa while others went to the United Kingdom, US, Australia and Canada.

Following the announcement of election results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission recently, Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, told The Zimbabwean there was no longer any reason for Zimbabweans to continue living outside the country.

He said results of the election silenced the MDC and brought an end to all political bickering.

“Peace and tranquility has returned to the country following the Zanu (PF) victory. There is no more troublesome GNU arrangements and Zimbabweans in the Diaspora should return home and help develop the country,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo said the Zimbabwe economy had space for the returnees and would facilitate their participation in the country’s economic activity.

Experience and exposure gained by diasporans was described as invaluable in Zimbabwe’s bid to regain its position as a regional economic powerhouse.

Some of those living abroad returned to the country to cast their vote and vowed never to return to Zimbabwe if Zanu (PF) was in power.

Political analyst, Rejoice Ngwenya, said people fled Zimbabwe when violation of human rights by Zanu (PF) was at its peak. Ngwenya said the same perpetrators of the violence were announced as election winners and it would be difficult for Zanu (PF) to fool diasporans into returning home.

He described the ‘come home message’ by Zanu (PF) as a wild clarion call by perpetrators of violence who were desperately seeking political relevance.

“The Zanu (PF) government should put its economic policies in order and activate the industry before urging diasporans to return home,” said Ngwenya.

Ngwenya described the recent calls by President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) to cancel Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority bills as a recipe for investor flight.

Expropriation of profits from companies such as Zimplats and parceling them to non-shareholders, under the guise of indigenisation, was also cited as one of the reasons investors would not come to Zimbabwe.

Economic analyst, Eric Bloch, said there was no need for Zanu (PF) to urge diasporans to come home, since they would do so willingly when the economy showed signs of recovery.

Block told The Zimbabwean that any unplanned return of those living overseas would worsen the already desperate economic crisis, as the returnees would join the over 85 percent jobless people.

“Only a few diasporans with essential skills would find something beneficial to do in the meantime. Our situation does not look capable of creating employment soon,” said Bloch. He said unless there was a major foreign investment into Zimbabwe, the economy would not create any jobs.

“No foreign investment will come into Zimbabwe without attractive investment policies,” he said.