But property laws have changed since 100 years ago. If we are to reverse ‘stolen land,’ we would soon be returning vast tracts of real estate to the San, the Ndebele state and many other empires overthrown circa 1897.
The land grab sent a clear message – ‘invest in Zimbabwe at your own peril.’ If legal holders of title deeds can lose their farms, anybody’s property is fair game.
During the mad decade of hyper-inflation, possession of forex was outlawed. Citizens found in possession of American dollars were robbed of their money by the RBZ. The FCAs of NGOs were also looted by the central bank. The most recent case of thievery is the RBZ’s offer of $5 for every bank account holder who lost quintillions of Zimdollars at currency changeover. In a normal country, the central bank would have issued long-term, interest-bearing bonds.
The citizens seem to have taken their cue from the politicians; motorists drive through red traffic lights and the men folk relieve themselves in public. Drivers’ licenses come with a price tag – for $150, anybody can get behind the steering wheel. Jail is for the poor – for the right price, a police docket can vanish. Annually, Zimsec examination papers are leaked and the children of ministry officials are everybody’s top suspects.
Post published in: News