Industry is operating at below 30% owing to company closures, antiquated machinery and power shortages. Economists have dubbed Zimbabwe a ‘supermarket economy,’ in which 60% of consumer goods are imports.
In Mash Central province, 200 families have begun the new year homeless after floods struck. The situation can only get worse, as rains continue. Last year, after the Tokwe-Mukosi floods, the Zanu (PF) government could only beg for assistance, showing lack of disaster preparedness.
The 2015 budget ($4 billion) is almost identical to the previous year, from which it can be deduced that government is still as broke as before. With the state borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure, it is unlikely that we have an emergency fund for such disasters.
Most roads remain riddled with potholes which have deepened as a result of recent rains. Power supply remains erratic, more so with power line damage due to rain.
By mid-January, the grass in towns – where council tractors are rusted corpses – will be tall enough to hide a basketball player and muggings will be in fashion.
Post published in: News