Joseph Makamba Busha, the President of FreeZim Congress Party has thrown a tantrum on government for neglecting pressing needs of the populace in preference to programmes that do not change people’s lives positively.
Speaking to journalists in Harare today, Makamba singled out government’s prioritisation of a new Parliament building and possibly a new city in Mt Hampden as a good example of a case of misplaced priorities.
“Having a new Parliament building is not a priority in Zimbabwe at the moment. We have a plethora of pressing needs that the insensitive Zanu (PF) government should have taken on board as a matter of urgency,” Busha said.
The South African based politician said Cyclone Idai left a trail of destruction in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts.
“Following Cyclone Idai, important infrastructure was destroyed in these two districts. This includes roads, schools, homes and clinics and hospitals. If FreeZim Congress was the government in power, we could have channelled the Chinese government’s offer to more pressing needs like Cyclone Idai.
“Zimbabwe is also grappling with the debilitating effects of drought. Instead of prioritising food security, we see the government is obsessed with less important matters. Our clinics and hospitals do not have medicines. The country also has got one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world. All these matters should take precedence over any other development programmes,” Busha said.
The politician-cum-businessman called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2023 general elections and was optimistic of a resounding victory should the political field be levelled.
He said the new Bill dealing away with running mates is not important and said government should instead concentrate on aligning laws to the 2013 Constitution
On coronavirus, Busha said there is need to go beyond the mere talk of saying people are being tested for the virus at the ports of entry but to have a specific health facility that treats patients who test positive to the killer disease.
The maverick politician urged the government to do more on climate change adaptation and mitigation. He called for a move towards reduction of carbon emissions from the continuous importation of second-hand vehicles mainly from Japan as well as having in place proper plans on water harvesting and reduction of global warming.