By Tinashe Sambiri
Zimbabwe’s opposition leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, has launched a scathing critique of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, describing the country’s current state as “trabablas.”
Chamisa’s comments follow a controversial decision by the government to rename the Mbudzi Interchange in Harare to the Trabablas Interchange. The name change has sparked widespread public debate, with many seeing it as symbolic of the country’s spiraling troubles.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Chamisa seized on the renaming as a metaphor for Zimbabwe’s broader woes, which he argues are driven by an incompetent and disorganized administration.
“IT’S ALL TRABABLAS… We are living in Trabablas times. It’s really a trabablas administration, running a trabablas economy, with trabablas policies and a trabablas currency! Especially after trabablas elections,” Chamisa declared, highlighting what he perceives as the absurdity of the government’s actions amid widespread economic and political crises.
Chamisa’s use of the term “trabablas” is a direct attack on the ruling regime, suggesting that Mnangagwa’s government is ineffective and chaotic.
The term has quickly resonated with many Zimbabweans, who are grappling with a collapsing economy, high inflation, unemployment, and a currency that has lost much of its value.
The decision to rename Mbudzi Interchange, a key junction in Harare, has been widely criticized, with critics arguing that it reflects the government’s misplaced priorities. Instead of focusing on addressing pressing issues such as poverty, healthcare, and infrastructure, Mnangagwa’s administration has been accused of engaging in symbolic gestures that do little to alleviate the country’s problems.
Chamisa, who has consistently challenged Mnangagwa’s legitimacy since the controversial 2018 elections, argues that Zimbabwe’s political and economic systems are in disarray under the current government. “We have a country where everything is falling apart: the economy is crumbling, businesses are closing, and ordinary Zimbabweans are struggling to survive,” he said.
“But instead of focusing on real solutions, the government is changing names and engaging in trivial distractions.”
His remarks also refer to the recent presidential elections, which he and many international observers have criticized as neither free nor fair. “Especially after trabablas elections,” Chamisa added, alluding to the contested nature of the polls that many believe were marred by irregularities and voter suppression.
In this context, “trabablas” has become more than just a catchphrase; it’s a symbol of the frustration and disillusionment felt by many Zimbabweans.
The term was also used by Mnangagwa’s deputy, Constantino Chiwenga three years ago at Great Zimbabwe Ruins.
Chamisa’s critique of the government resonates with the growing public sentiment that Mnangagwa’s administration is not only failing to address critical issues but is also increasingly out of touch with the realities faced by the people.
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with a myriad of challenges, Chamisa’s pointed remarks underscore the discontent that many Zimbabweans feel about the direction in which the country is headed. Whether the ruling government will heed these criticisms or continue with its current approach remains to be seen.