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Government’s poor decision-making caused stay away
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
April 25, 2003

On its third day, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)-called stay away continued to be largely observed in the major cities of Zimbabwe. In isolated cases, banks and food stores in particular opened in these areas, increasing the presence of pedestrians and motorists in most urban centres. In smaller towns, however, the majority of businesses were open, reporting that intimidation by members of the uniformed forces had required them to open. The stay away continued to be peaceful, despite this intimidation and the continued presence of roadblocks staffed by armed police officers continued in the urban centres. Further information on the stay away in specific areas follows this statement.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition commends the Zimbabweans who peacefully participated in this action. It further reminds government that its response to the stay away, and its treatment of the fuel crisis in general is not only unsustainable but disastrous.

This week’s stay away was largely sparked by last weeks 70% to 350% in the price of fuel. Government arbitrarily increased the price of fuel without following the accepted channels of consultation and discussion. The fuel price increase was necessitated because the ruling party has repeatedly refused to adequately devalue the dollar, as advisors have urged it to for some time. Thus, they passed the cost of their lack of foresight, and the country’s lack of foreign currency, on to the consumer.

Having gazetted new fuel prices, the ruling party then gazetted new transport fares and proposed a new minimum wage. The government lacks a serious, consolidated and well-considered method through which to make decisions. Instead, it operates in an unsustainable and ad hoc manner.

Similarly, the ruling party’s approach towards the growing frustration of the people cannot be sustained. Government responded to the ZCTU stay away by threatening business owners and managers in order to force them to open. When commuter omnibus operators increased their fares in response to fuel price hiked, government threatened them to lower their fares. These are examples of the knee-jerk reactions that the ruling party exercises as its preferred decision making tool.

Events of this week serve as a further manifestation of the multi-layered national crisis of governance that is at the heart of Zimbabwe’s current decline. Until the ruling party accepts this, the majority of Zimbabweans will continue to suffer, and popular frustration will continue to mount.

Below is an overview of the stay away in some of Zimbabwe’s major towns:

Bulawayo reported a continued stay away, with all banks and major shops closed. Most of the isolated banks and shops which had opened earlier in the week were closed today. However, in the city centre there were reports of a few banks open, and operating with skeleton staffs.

Chegutu reported that many shops had opened and that the town was largely back to work. In the morning, banks were open and offering limited services, but by afternoon they were fully operational. Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) were observed patrolling the town, instructing shop owners and managers to open their businesses.

Chinhoyi reported that most banks, food shops and other retail outlets were open, and businesses were operating as normal.

Harare remained largely closed as most businesses continued to participate in the stay away. Many banks were open, however, and long queues were observed at the banks and ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) where employees had gone to withdraw their salaries. Isolated branches of food shops and certain retail shops were open, but most remained closed. Industry was largely shut down, and the few businesses which were open indicated that they would operate in the morning only.

Kadoma reported that most businesses were opened. While on Wednesday and Thursday morning the town was mostly closed, many banks and shops were ordered by members of the ZRP to open by Thursday afternoon. Today, most banks, shops and food outlets were open, although some smaller shops remained closed. Transport was reported to be a problem, however. Commuter omnibus operators wanted to charge a fare higher than that gazetted by government, but they were being ordered by the police to charge the gazetted fare. Thus it was reported that many commuter omnibuses had pulled off the roads, and that transport was a problem for many people going to work and returning home. In addition, a large presence of armed personnel was reported.

Masvingo reported that almost all shops were open and that businesses were operating as usual in the town.

Mutare reported that most businesses were participating in the stay away, and that the participation rate was higher than it had been on previous days. Isolated food shops were open, but most shops in the city centre and in the suburbs were closed. Long queues were reported at the ATMs however, as many workers had gone to withdraw their salaries.

Please print this message out and distribute it at your workplace. In addition, feel free to forward this message to your contacts and colleagues.

Crisis in Zimbabwe is a grouping of civil society organisations and coalitions whose vision is a democratic Zimbabwe. The Coalition’s mandate is to address the twin questions of governance and legitimacy.

Tel/Fax: +263 4 747817
Email: info@crisis.co.zw

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition fact sheet

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