Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa on Tuesday said the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Emmerson Mnangagwa failed to address key fundamental which are affecting the nation at the moment.
Mnangagwa presided over a SONA with a full house of ZAPF politicians and backers after opposition Members of Parliament walked out, for the second time in as many functions, as they continue to de-legitimize the President.
In a tweet moments after Mnangagwa’s address, Chamisa lashed out saying the country’s number one citizen should be in touch with the reality on the country and address people’s concerns.
“A SONA that does not address key issues facing the nation such as lack of electricity, water, fuel, non-availability of cash, poor wages, human rights abuses, terror, abductions, illegitimacy and reforms is a waste of resources and an unprovoked insult. This invites us all to act!” the youthful leader said.
The two key political leaders have been on each other’s throat since the highly contested 2018 elections which the opposition leader accuses the Mnangagwa administration of having “stolen”.
One year on, the two protagonists have not met despite Mnangagwa having invited Chamisa to the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) to which the latter has refused the invite on several occasions as he alleges that the former is not the “legitimate” President of the nation.
In his address, Mnangagwa said; “The ongoing democratic reforms must entrench Constitutional rights and freedoms for all Zimbabweans. The culture of fear and violence must be uprooted from our societies.”
However, he did not address the acute water challenges which are facing the capital and other small towns across the country.
He made reference to cash and fuel shortages which he said his government is working to address.
“Government is fully aware of the challenges faced by the public in accessing cash, which has resulted in some unscrupulous traders selling cash in exchange for electronic money.
“Appropriate measures are being taken to address the cash situation, which includes a gradual removal of arbitrage opportunities created through multitier pricing,” Mnangagwa said.
He said the high fuel precise have eased queues at service stations despite the fact that the majority are failing to meet the runaway prices.
“The country has seen some stability in the fuel sector on the back of the introduction of cost-reflective pricing adjustments, coupled with the fuel procurement financing facilities structured by Government,” he added.
