PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has come under criticism for
seemingly mocking the country’s currency, real time gross settlement dollars
(RTGS$) at an event where he said the Cyclone Idai-induced floods that wreaked
havoc in the Eastern Highlands, killing 268 and displacing over 16 000 others,
were a blessing in disguise for opening the country’s lines with hostile
Western countries.
Addressing the victims in Chimanimani on Thursday where he
took presidential candidates in last year’s elections on a tour to assess the
damage caused by the floods, Mnangagwa waxed lyrical at the US$2,5 million
relief fund from United States President Donald Trump.
“But the most exciting one is about Trump. Do you know him,
the President of America; the one who slapped us with sanctions?” Mnangagwa
said excitedly.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), he sent his ambassador. He brought
US$2,5 million. Two and a half million dollars; the real US dollars; their own
money and not our RTGS$! Trump said if we still wanted some help, we can
approach their South African office. Things change. To ask us what we want and
this coming from Trump. This (the disaster) is a blessing in disguise.”
Mnangagwa revealed that he had received three letters from
Britain’s royal family after the disaster, something that otherwise may never
have happened. He also revealed that the country could benefit a lot from the
Unites Arab Emirates.
“As you know, we crossed each other with the British over
the land reform programme, but let me tell you what happened. This cyclone was
a blessing in disguise, halellua!” he said
“The queen, Queen Elizabeth herself wrote a letter to us,
saying she has heard of our disaster and asking what form of help she can give
us. It didn’t end there. Her son, who will take over from her, Prince Charles,
the (former) husband to the late Princes Dianna. The one who, when we had our
independence, came to take back the British flag while we hoisted ours, also
wrote his letter.
“Prince Charles’ son, William, also wrote. Three letters
coming from Britain, this has never happened before. They (the Royal Family)
said the relationship between Zimbabwe and Britain has come a long way and this
should continue. We appreciate what the Royal Family has done.”
Yesterday, people took to social media to attack Mnangagwa,
describing him as insensitive for seemingly mocking the country’s currency,
which he forced on Zimbabweans. Others claimed Mnangagwa did not know the
implications of his statements and excitement of aid money.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said it was sad for a
President to say the misfortune of his people brought him luck.
“It’s bizarre for the President to say he is now able to
talk to Trump because many people died. He is disconnected from the people. If
a President is mocking his own currency, it means he is not earning in that currency,”
Mafume said.
National Patriotic Front spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire
accused Mnangagwa of celebrating the political opportunities opened for him by
the calamity that befell his citizens. He also castigated him for forcing bond
notes on people, yet he was levitating at the prospect of receiving US dollars.
“He seemed very happy about the US$2,5 million because he
has at his disposal real money to hire more private jets. At the same time, he
has the RTGS to give to Cyclone Idai victims, instead of the donated real
money,” he said.
Mawarire said it was sad that Mnangagwa seemed excited
about a funeral assistance fund coming from a country his lieutenant
(Victor-the War Veterans deputy minister) Matemadanda had been castigating and
accusing of fronting a regime change agenda.
Build Zimbabwe Alliance leader Noah Manyika said it was
unfortunate that Mnangagwa was celebrating the catastrophe at a time victims
were still looking for their missing relatives.
“When hundreds of people have lost their lives and
thousands made homeless due to a catastrophic event like Cyclone Idai, that is
hardly the time for a government whose incompetent response resulted in more
lives being lost to celebrate the aid brought by the disaster,” Manyika said.
“According to the President in recorded remarks yesterday,
he was delighted that the Americans had donated real money, not RTGS$ which
clearly to him is not real money. These are astonishing remarks at a time his
Finance minister (Mthuli Ncube) is accusing businesses of profiteering by
essentially setting their prices according to the value of real money and not
the phantom currency the president himself has just confirmed RTGS$ to be.”
Political analyst Alexander Rusero said people were reading
too much into Mnangagwa’s statements and in the process giving them unnecessary
attention.
“We ought to be able to distinguish between Mnangagwa’s
institutional role as President and also his status as a political actor.
Mnangagwa’s utterances at a rally where he is posturing about his efforts and
ability to fundraise cannot be rebuked neither should they get attention or
noise that they are receiving. Put simply, Mnangagwa was addressing villagers
and tried to the best of his capabilities to be a President with a simplistic
view of economy and economics. That surely doesn’t warrant criticism. Sadly, ED
isn’t the best orator whose speeches do not move crowds.” Newsday
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