The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
ECONOMIC sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have been roundly criticised for their punitive impact on human rights, democracy, poverty, education, healthcare and basic living conditions of vulnerable groups in the country.
The embargos were imposed in 2001 by Britain, United States of America, and their western allies after Zimbabwe embarked on the fast track land reform programme that was aimed at correcting colonial land imbalances.
They were imposed without endorsement of the United Nations, meaning they are not only illegal, but a declaration of war on the nation.
A multiplicity of measures under the Zimbabwe Development and Recovery Act (ZIDERA) makes it impossible for Zimbabwe to secure credit lines, balance of payment support and Foreign Direct Investment, effectively decimating the economic and democratic life of the country.
Zimbabwe has been operating under these punitive measures that drastically impaired its economic performance, and calls are getting louder for their unconditional removal.
Those who spoke to The Manica Post this week criticised the embargos for widening the poverty gap and income inequality, with the poor at the receiving end.
They said sanctions have a negative and detrimental impact on economic growth, and the cost of reconstruction, following their lifting will be laborious.
Member of House of Assembly for Mutasa North, Cde Chido Madiwa-Tsinakwadi said sanctions had double economic impact on women and girls as well as minority communities.
“The impact of the sanctions on the economy makes it a double burden for women and girls. Our women and girls fall under vulnerable groups that need to be empowered, but Government is struggling to cushion them as a result of these sanctions.
Mr Takainga
“Women and girls are disadvantaged, and their plight was worsened by the imposition of sanctions on the country. Sanctions have a significant negative impact on the living standards and humanitarian situation of vulnerable groups,” she said.
Makoni North Member of House of Assembly, Cde James Munetsi said sanctions were a problem to all Zimbabweans, especially the poor.
“No matter which party you belong to, sanctions hurt, and must be removed unreservedly. They cause unnecessary suffering to the human race, and forces many to engage in illicit activities to make ends meet.
“Sanctions fuel inflation, which results in the increase of prices of basic commodities and financial services instability. They are just unbearable to the majority of the people,” said Cde Munetsi.
Businessman, Mr Simon Hungwe-Takainga said the damaging impact of sanctions was manifesting in accelerated decrease in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, decrease in exports, imports and international capital and rising inflation.
“The economy is fragile as a result, and if they are maintained they will lead to an economic collapse, which in turn leads to greater impoverishment. The import and export focused sectors are hamstrung by economic sanctions. As a trade open economy, we suffer greater hardships as a result. Small businesses can’t reach the external market, worse still to import goods from certain countries. They are a disgrace, and also hurt the grassroots, so they are not targeted, and must be removed unconditionally,” said Mr Takainga.
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) president, Mr Arthur Maphosa said the economic hardships in the country had repudiated growth of the education sector.
“Due to economic hardships, the teaching fraternity failed to have enough text books since they became financially hamstrung. Pupils were affected during 2007-09 era, with some not going to school and skipping into Mozambique and South Africa to look for jobs.
“Teachers were forced to supplement their income through extra lessons as value of money or wages was diminished. Education, even for the teacher, became expensive. We have more trained teachers, but no jobs, yet we have school deficit of over 2 000 nationally,” said Mr Maphosa.
The call by SADC to have the sanctions removed unconditionally, and the formal lodging of such a position on October 25 indicates in unequivocal terms that sanctions are hurting, not only Zimbabwe, but also the region, and by extension the continent of Africa as a whole.
