By Farai D Hove| The Sunday Mail today opened with a screaming story alleging that the US thinktank The Rand has concluded a paper saying ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa will win the 2023 elections.

The Sunday Mail’s story was also emphasised by government spokesman Nick Mangwana.

But below are the real conclusions of the findings in the report – which are totally opposite those in the state media print. They are:

1. Politics and economics are inextricably linked in Zimbabwe
   Genuine reform is unlikely under present economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe in the lead-up to national elections in 2023.
2. Zimbabwe is likely to continue down a path of political polarization, protests, political violence at the hands of the state, and economic deterioration.
3. The Mnangagwa government continues to prevent and violently suppress political protests, and the media remain heavily biased in favor of the ruling party.
4. Few tangible steps have been taken toward reconfiguring Zimbabwe’s autocratic system.
5. Despite a brief government surplus and the introduction of a new currency aimed at curbing inflation, the economy is again close to collapse.
6. Genuine reforms would go a long way toward putting Zimbabwe on a democratic path, lessening high levels of political polarization, and repairing the collapsing economy.