By Naadiya Adams

Public opinion largely says Zimbabweans are suffering more under President Emmerson Mnangagwa than they did under long-standing President Robert Mugabe, this according to African Research Journalist Tendai Mariwa.

While speaking to Radio Islam, Mariwa says there was hope that Mnangagwa would bring about change and economic growth. People also hoped for a better political climate that would see an improved state of human rights in the country – al of which has regressed since Mnangagwa’s ascension to power.

“What we’ve actually seen is a regression, a tightening of power from the executive administration of Mnangagwa, and also the control of the military has increased much more… where as under Mugabe things were a lot more disguised even though the power was deeply entrenched within the dictatorship,” says Mariwa.

Dewa Mavhinga, the Southern Africa Director for Human Rights Watch told Radio Islam the disaster in Zimbabwe is man-made due to poor governance and rampant corruption.

With 8.6 million Zimbabaweans going hungry and billions of dollars pumped into the Command Agriculture project, Mavhinga says looting is very evident and Zimababwe is being run as a mafia state who cares little for the people and more for further enriching the elitists.

“We have seen a massive deterioaration in living conditions, a massive deterioration in the human rights situation. We have seen now in terms of doctors, nurses the health system has collapsed, the education system in Zimbabwe has collapsed and the government is not doing much about it. They are focused on looting and having things for themselves and not for the ordinary person on the street,” says Mavhinga.

According to Mavhinga extreme poverty has worsened by a staggering 30% since November 2017. He says while nine million Zimabaweans live in poverty some flee to neighbouring South Africa with hope of a better life. The new dawn promised by Mnangagwa at the time of his election has not been realised and the reality is a sad one with no hope. Compared to Mugabe’s rule, Mavhinga says Zimbabweans are now much worse off.

Mariwa explains how the inflation is rife in the country and the economy is on its knees. The local Zimbabwean dollar is vastly weak and locals have resorted to using the US dollar and the South African rand as a means of stable currency.

Foreign investment has been talked about among politicians but Mavhinga says it remains just talk as Zimbabwe is a risky investment destination.

“The authorities do not respect the rule of law, property rights, human rights and serious investors, credible investors are extremely weary of investing in that kind of place.”

The need for social change is there, but people would rather flee than attempt an uprising according to Mavhinga, as the brute of military forces in the country is high and used to keep the nation at bay.

Listen to the full interview here: