Opinion: Did the allocated funds of the 2018 Budget for the General Election, become the War-Chest of Zanu-PF?

On the 7th December 2017, the Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa released the budgets for 2018. In that one, there was to allocations that is striking for today’s action. That is the 13th Cheque and the funds for the General Election.

The 13th Cheque was quoted with this: “A provision of US$176 million has been set aside for the payment of the 2017 13th Cheque awards” (…) “The programming of the above commitment during the first half of 2018 will be guided by revenue inflows, taking account of cash flow requirements of other National programmes, such as the General Elections”.

However, that wasn’t enough for that, so the direct funds for the General Election: “The 2018 Budget will provide resources amounting to US$132.2 million in support of the 2018 Harmonised Elections budget”. Therefore, there funds in the budget for the General Election and should be plenty. If you combine these allocated funds the amount would be US$308,2millions. And considering today’s news, part of these funds has found their way to the ruling party campaign.

Because Zimbabwe Independent wrote this today: “ZANU PF will today launch a momentous US$200 million general elections campaign at the Harare International Conference Centre amid revelations that several foreign governments, struggling parastatals as well as slush funds and investments from the security establishment will illegally contribute to the massive war chest” (Owen Gagare – ‘Zanu PF launches $200m campaign’ 04.05.2018).

There might be foreign funds to the ZANU-PF as they want to get rights and possible profits from the natural resources of the republic. However, the amount of funds needed are already baked into the budget, just that the state could be using directly from the allocated funds, instead of giving it to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission or anyone else securing the electioneering. Because 200 million US Dollars would leave behind 108,2 million US Dollar for the actual election. That wouldn’t be the first time a state party using state resources in campaigning. It is too common in the world, to be healthy. However, it is a practice that many does.

Therefore, I don’t think the reported Chinese or that the dictator from Equatorial Guinea has directed funds to the party war-chest. Unless, I see invoices and see the transcripts of the funds sent over. Because, they don’t need to do that, to get simple gates of mineral extraction in the Republic. That cost much less then 200 million US Dollars. You don’t need to pay that much and offer so much to get cover, get contracts and get fixed space in the Republic. That is overpaying and also serving the ZANU-PF an overload of cash.

Would believe more that the ZANU-PF are actually using the allocated US Dollars from December 2018, as they have plenty to eat off and not buy expensive ballot-boxes or having exported BVR Systems. Instead make it cheap and spend on itself ahead of time. The party could eat the funds themselves.

Why I question the numbers even more, as the reports in March 2018 showed a sudden shortfall of funds for the ZEC, this was the quote from the chairman: “Chigumba said government has committed to availing $98 million of the $148 million needed to bankroll this year’s harmonised elections” (…) ““We did present a budget of $148 million to parliament and the treasury has committed to providing us with $95 million dollars,” said Chigumba to the Media Portfolio Committee” (AllAfrica – ‘Zimbabwe: Election Budget $50m Short, but ZEC Says Ready Regardless’ 09.03.2018).

I understand now why the state only delivered and allocated 95 million US Dollars, because that gives the state a war-chest of 200 million US Dollars. Because that is 295 US Dollars spent and allocated to both the campaign of ZANU-PF and barely enough for the ZEC. In that regard, the state has still free funds of 13,2 millions US Dollars. That can be spent on other electioneering, might even grace some wheels. Since they are yet to be released, it wouldn’t be shocking if they went directly to Zanu-PF instead.

It wouldn’t be surprising, but the funds matches perfectly, nearly to neat. It might be monies from China that makes sure of the giant war-chest of the ruling regime. But this isn’t a regime well-known for its transparency or accountability. Therefore, Zanu-PF has the character and the history to pull these stunts off. That is why it is special, that the ZEC had the allocations in march adding to 95 Million US Dollars, while the party had 200 Million US Dollars. Meaning that the unused funds are 13,2 Million US Dollars, who has to figure one way or another into someones pocket.

It didn’t take much work or add the figures together. I know that the Herald will write what the President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs, even have all the adverts and the praises of the master. They are the servants anyway. However, I feel free to question this. As it is very obvious. Not so unlikely too… Peace.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights: On World Press Freedom Day, Human Rights Lawyers call for Reform of Media Laws ahead of Elections (03.05.2018)

Zimbabwe: Government Press Statement on the Teacher’s strike (02.05.2018)

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA): Circular Letter Number 13 of 1 May 2018

Zimbabwe: MDC Vs Khupe/Gutu/Bhebhe – The Case Dissmissed in Court (26.04.2018)

Zimbabawe: Nurses Strike Mashonaland letter – “Re: Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application for Reinstatement into the Health Service” (April 2018)

Zimbabwe Nurses Association: Update – Time 1900hrs (21.04.2018)

Zimbabwe: A letter to a Nurse which is dissmissed – “Re: Dissmissal from the Health Services in Terms of Section 58 of the Health Service Regulation” (17.04.2018)

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions – Subject: Nurses striking Vice President Constantino Chiwenga Out of Order (19.04.2018)

VP Gen. Chiwenga shown his face and his temper with the firing of the striking nurses!

General Constantino Chiwenga, the Vice-President of Zimbabwe has unleashed a monster. The monster is firing striking employees. Surely, he is used to getting his way and that the brigades in the army or at the barracks are galloping to his every single word. Because that is chain-command and he has been on the top a long while now. However, he has now officially shown that the Zanu-PF of the present day is a military dictatorship, when a general unhappy with civil service personnel and employees in general, directly fires them.

The VP could have thought for a moment, even looked into the Constitution of the Republic. Seen that its legal to hold strikes and be members of Unions. They are by law legal entities fighting for their salaries and the concern of their livelihood. They are not soldiers who follows the words and orders from this man. They are following protocol and procedure through the Ministry of Health and hired by the Health Service Board. Clearly, the grand old general currently forgets that. Therefore, in his powers, he sacked them and wants to appoint others in their stead. This is standoff because of his personal pride and not for the benefit of the citizens.

The last 48 hours has shown the ill-intent of the general, instead of working out. He gone straight to the battlefield and thrown the nurses out. Who by all means just did a strike for their salaries. Is the value of the Republic, that they cannot carry unionised workers and unionised health care professionals? If it is so, I wouldn’t wonder if there would be a brain-drain and fleeing even more to the diaspora with university degrees and professional educated people. Why do they want to work for a state, that fires you if you go on strike?

Has the Grand Old General thought of that? Has he configured in his mind the effect of his sackings? Does he think the nurses grows on trees and are ready educated from birth? Why didn’t the Health Service Board send notices of termination to the employees, as they are bound by law? Is the Grand Old General above the law?

There are many questions remaining, there are even those who wonders why both the Minister of Health, David Parirenyatwa haven’t acted and have let the VP go off the hook. Maybe, he is worried that the general would fire him too if he asked for favours. The President has been busy as a ceremonial king and haven’t cared at all. Therefore, the VP is free to do as he likes, even when counters common practice of termination and also the rule of law. Just like the army did when they toppled Mugabe. However, nobody was sorry about that, but again the General, shows force and no remorse.

That the striking Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZNA) has been strong and resilient has been obvious to everyone, but the General has been all-in for the matter, without considering the implications. If not thinking, that he could get away with it anyway. Though now instead of looking like a breath of fresh air. The Zanu-PF regime, looks more of the same and the bright future becomes gloomy, when Generals are attacking own civil servants, instead of working with them. He went straight shooting and shot himself in the foot.

Therefore, he will not walk straight, he might act brazen and proud, but he should sulk, because he is only hurting himself and his government. With this sort of actions, the ones following knows now, how he operates and he is the kingpin behind the President. The President doesn’t question the VP, because the President is in debt to the VP. That is how it seems to naked eye, the victims now is the people and the nurses. The elite goes hunting for treatment abroad anyway. Peace.