The MDC is seriously concerned that the broke Mnangagwa
regime has the temerity to hire an American firm for over US$1 million to
spruce up its image even as the nation struggles to procure basics such as
medicine and fuel.
The regime has hired Avenue Strategies Global CC, a US firm
to lobby Washington to drop sanctions against Zimbabwe. The scarce foreign
currency is being splurged even as nurses and other key government services
have threatened industrial action for poor working conditions and the absence
of working tools.
It is our belief that there is no reason to waste scarce
foreign currency on political cosmetology when all the regime in Harare should
do is to stop repression, the clampdown on civil society and democracy activists
and the wanton killings of its citizens, among other issues. The improvement of
the government’s human rights record will go a long way in improving the
country’s image among the society of nations.
And the immediate cessation of violence and repression does
not cost a single cent to a nation already reeling heavily under huge external
and internal debt.
While the government has wasted scarce foreign currency
hiring Avenue Strategies, the proper avenue to take to improve the country’s
image is to stop bad behavior, particularly the callous clampdown on innocent
citizens.
Zimbabwe cannot afford to lose scarce foreign currency on
issues that can simply be addressed by behaviour change. The cheapest and most
affordable consultancy firm is a deep soul searching by those in government
whether they can really afford to procure multi-million dollar armory aimed at
their own citizens at a time millions of Zimbabweans are facing starvation.
Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National spokesperson
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