The bootlickers of the State press will answer; “sanctions”. I am sorry to tell you they are wrong in this case. The answer is “indigenisation”.
I don't mean that gaining control of our own economy automatically raises the price of petrol. I mean the Zanu (PF) version of “indigenisation” does not give us control of our own economy.
“Indigenising” the fuel trade meant that the big oil companies, who own oil wells in America, Saudi Arabia and wherever else oil is found, who refine it to give us petrol, diesel, and paraffin, ship those across the oceans and used to sell it from their own service stations in most countries, those companies gave up the service stations in Zimbabwe.
Notice what happened. Those experienced operators of oil wells, refineries, fleets of tankers and your local petrol station sold their petrol stations in Zimbabwe to people who, in their business, are mafikizolos. Esso, Shell, BP, Total and a few others still pump the oil out of the ground, refine it, and ship it, but the mafikizolos who acquired our petrol stations sell the petrol to us.
Who do they get it from? Esso, Total or another big company, probably the same big company that used to supply your local petrol station. There is now one more intermediary through whose hands the precious fuel passes before it reaches you and me. That intermediary needs to feed his family. The oil companies still need to pay all their employees. There is one more operator taking his share so it is not surprising that the price at the pump rises. Knowing the mafikizolos who try to monopolise the label “indigenous”, I am not surprised our price increased while the world price of oil halved.
If our economy was a donkey cart, there'd be one more leech, a very thirsty leech, on the donkey's rump. That's unavoidable until we get control of the sources and supply routes for the oil, or at least make special arrangements with friends who produce the stuff, maybe in Iran or Venezuela. Maybe nobody thought of that, maybe our friends in Iran and Venezuela doubt whether we'll pay our bills. Whatever the reason, it wasn't done, and we pay extra.
Now if we can't manage a deal as simple as that, are you surprised that the international mining conglomerates made a killing, some say an extra $12 billion, out of our minerals in recent years? That's money that a really indigenous mining industry with its own overseas connections could have brought back home and it's not peanuts.
But to get your own connections, you don't spit in the face of the big boys. You have to be clever and diplomatic, like a clever wife who knows when to give in to her husband so that he can boast he discusses the important questions, like whether America should go to war in Syria and who is going to win the European Cup this year, but leaves her to run their household. You have to know the rules of the game the big companies play and know how to use them to your own advantage. Above all, you try to outsmart them with a smile on your face. Yes, you hate the bastards and they are bastards, but a little bit of pretence could get you a long way.
So I am worried when I hear now that BAT are accused of using dirty tricks to sabotage our exports of cigarettes and Mnangagwa says he'll settle the matter by military methods. Yes, BAT couldn't get as rich as they are honestly. But if you try to punch the big villain in the face, you'll show you are like a petulant toddler in his hands and be about as effective. Think on that.
Post published in: Analysis