PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is fast-gaining a bad reputation for being lackadaisical on issues of national importance.
The administration has allowed the statutory instrument that introduced the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) to lapse before it could enact primary legislation to make the local currency a legal tender.
The ZiG was operationalised by the promulgation of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act and Issue of Zimbabwe Gold Notes and Coins) Regulations, 2024 which lapsed after six months.
This means that the ZiG which was introduced on April 5 ceased to be a legal tender on October 4.
A Finance Bill, the primary legislation to support the ZiG, passed through both Houses of Parliament about two weeks ago and is said to have been sent to Mnangagwa for his assent for it to become law.
Someone could have forgotten to alert Mnangagwa on the importance of the Bill insofar as it makes the ZiG a legal tender.
Where were government bureaucrats in this scheme of things?
It seems everything else in government was on hold as officials were busy pushing the ED2030 project to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond 2028.
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That the gaffe comes after Cabinet approved a de-dollarisation roadmap signals the “I don’t care attitude” that appears to be sticking on this administration like mud.
This also sabotages Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) chief John Mushayavanhu’s push for the ZiG to become the currency of choice.
The central bank said in August that the ZiG was now accounting for 40% of total transactions, up from 20% in April, signalling growing acceptance in the use of the local currency.
Despite the growth in the use of the local currency, RBZ is struggling to penetrate the informal sector which trades solely in United States dollars.
And when the government fails to put its house in order, it will be a tough assignment for Mushayavanhu and his team to promote the use of the ZiG.
A government that is promoting the use of a local currency will do everything in its powers to ensure there is legislation to support that drive.
The Second Republic has been clumsy in lawmaking despite claims that it is different from its predecessors.
Talk of “the more things change, the more they become the same”!
For instance, there were four Bills that sailed through the Ninth Parliament, but were not delivered to the President for assent and signature before the dissolution of the Ninth Parliament.
These are the Child Justice Bill, Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Bill and Financial Adjustments Bill.
The first session of the 10th Parliament has been poor in terms of output with one Bill having been passed — the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) — which was assented to by Mnangagwa.
At the current rate, the 10th Parliament will pass five Bills during its life.
Mr President, we expect swift action to correct the illegality of the ZiG.
Heads must roll to send a clear message that you mean business.
Your assistants must not only show vigour when it comes to power retention and extension.
Power retention and extension stems from ticking all the boxes today.
What you do today, not yesterday, is what will determine how you live your life tomorrow.
The decisions you made yesterday define who you are today and what you decide on today will define your tomorrow.
If it is all hands on deck, everyone should be found doing so.
If your assistants are sleeping on the wheel, there is no better way than cut them loose.
