By A Correspondent

ZANU PF Youth League official Taurai Kandishaya has sparked outrage across Zimbabwe after making controversial remarks on Wednesday, claiming that Zimbabweans are suffering not due to government mismanagement, but because they are being haunted by family spirits.

Kandishaya, in a statement that has since drawn widespread condemnation, said:

“Aripo here pakati penyu akati afamba kumuporofita kana kun’anga akanzi dambudziko rako iZANU PF? Handiti mese nhamo dzenyu dzirikubva kumweya yemadzinza enyu henyu pachenyu zvenyu. Iyoyo mweya yekumisha kwenyu yakangwarisa zvekuti haikupe mukana wekuituka iyo; inokutsvagira chekutuka kusvika upinde muguva.”

In English, Kandishaya suggested that Zimbabweans’ hardships are not due to ZANU PF’s policies, but instead the result of being haunted by spirits from their ancestral homes. His statement implied that the suffering of the people is a spiritual issue, not a political one.

Kandishaya’s remarks were quickly met with outrage from various quarters. Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) youth assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma, responded sharply, calling the ZANU PF official’s statement absurd.

“You don’t need to consult a prophet to understand the crisis in Zimbabwe. It’s on record, ZANU PF is responsible for the suffering of citizens due to poor governance and looting of resources,” Chuma said, dismissing Kandishaya’s attempt to deflect blame away from the government.

The statement has only intensified the growing discontent among Zimbabweans, many of whom have been enduring an economic crisis characterized by high inflation, unemployment, and poor public services. Critics argue that instead of acknowledging the government’s role in the crisis, Kandishaya’s comments deflect responsibility and insult the intelligence of ordinary citizens.

Kandishaya’s statement has become a lightning rod for public anger, with many questioning the ZANU PF leadership’s ability to address the country’s pressing issues. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions within Zimbabwe’s political landscape as citizens continue to demand accountability from their leaders.