Dear Editor,

How much does it cost the taxpayers when the Government of Zimbabwe rolls out anti-sanctions marches throughout the country’s provinces and districts, with the major event being held at the National Sports Stadium on 25 October 2019 as reported by Minister Monica Mutsvangwa?

Masvingo’s Minister for State for Masvingo Province has already confirmed that buses will be used to ferry people from Masvingo to Harare to support the main event to be addressed by Emmerson Mnangagwa on 25 October 2019 (The Herald, 17 October 2019), If people are being ferried from every province, rightfully they would need decent accommodation, but probably accommodation will be a benefit for the fat cats only. These people will or should be fed. Money will be spent putting in place logistics for the event, which will include a musical gala, obviously to attract numbers. This shows how warped the thinking of Zimbabwe Government officials and all those supporting the move is.

With free transport and promises of food, and free entertainment, the hungry citizens have no choice but get a free ride to a feeding trough; whether or not they are convinced they should be doing what they are being asked to do. Enticing people to do what they wouldn’t normally do is corruption, and that is what has caused the country to be what it is today.

It is a shame people who are supposed to be criticizing Government for its extravaganza Dr. Lovemore Madhuku and Dr. Thokozani Khupe have chosen to be part of revellers to this event. Let them enjoy themselves and feel good about it while the country suffers.

If SADC had a real case against sanctions, it would have arranged a meeting with the sanctions enforcers to push its position. What is happening here is complete madness which, unfortunately, some people who started off with the zeal to stop the Zanu PF rot, D. Khupe and Dr. Madhuku, have finally decided to join in.

Good luck with the removal of the sanctions.