Veteran economist, John Robertson, has said that the Zimbabwean situation has graduated to extreme levels where humanitarian aid is now a necessity. Robertson also said that the government knew what could trigger an economic comeback but had no political will to do so. He said:
Zimbabwe has never looked weaker. Not a single measure taken has earned respect, and the only assistance we qualify for now is humanitarian aid. Government lacks the courage to do the right thing. It is doing only what it thinks it can get away with. John Robertson says the Government has no "political-will" to deal with corruption.
His remarks come when inflation is soaring with prices of basic commodities being raised on a fortnight basis.
The inflation worsens the plight of workers whose salaries have remained fairly stagnant resulting in clashes between the working class and authorities on several occasions.
The opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has also added to the chagrin of the state by organising nationwide demonstrations which were however blocked by the police.
Source: https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/09/02/zimbabwe-has-never-looked-weaker-veteran-economist
Money siphoned from government institutions through corruption was enough to cater for Zimbabwe’s humanitarian aid appeal and more, the European Union has said.
This comes after government recently reviewed upwards its budget for humanitarian support adding over US$100 million to the initial US$331.5 million.
Speaking to a local radio station on Tuesday, EU head of delegation, Timo Olkonnen stated that corruption had more devastating effects when compared to sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West, a narrative President Mnangagwa’s administration has since rejected.
“Corruption has a huge effect, people talking about hundreds of millions or even billions in terms of the Auditor General’s report and then you imagine that you have a humanitarian appeal for Zimbabwe for a couple hundred millions.
“Basically, that’s just a part of what is assumed to be stolen.
“It could have covered those needs for the humanitarian appeal. So I think the effect has been devastating for the economy,” he said.