Fix The Economy, Not Just The Buildings

Critics question government priorities as citizens struggle with shrinking incomes and failing municipal services

By Shingirai Vambe

The government appears to have found a new battlefront, dilapidated buildings, at a time when Zimbabweans are demanding something far more basic: clean water, reliable refuse collection, decent roads and functioning local authorities.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and Permanent Secretary Tafadzwa Muguti have warned building owners to improve their properties or face enforcement action.

While maintaining safe and decent buildings is important, critics say the timing exposes misplaced priorities in a country where many citizens are struggling to survive.

Siphosami Mahlangu, writing on X, asked, “What did Zimbabweans do to deserve these two? They’re in competition to provoke the battered citizenry.”

He questioned whether the same standards would be applied to dilapidated government buildings, hospitals, police stations, roads and other public infrastructure.

Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono similarly argued that government should focus its energy on growing the economy rather than threatening struggling citizens with fines and possible imprisonment.

Chin’ono noted that although the IMF has reported strong economic growth, ordinary Zimbabweans have not necessarily felt that growth in their pockets.

How can a retired teacher surviving on a pension of less than US$200 a month be expected to renovate her home to council standards?

The same applies to struggling churches and small businesses fighting merely to remain operational. The bigger issue is that neglected buildings are often a symptom of economic hardship, not its cause.

People who can afford to maintain their homes and businesses generally do so. The challenge is that many Zimbabweans simply do not have the money.

Government therefore risks turning victims of economic hardship into victims of enforcement.

Zimbabweans need an economy that puts money into their pockets, creates jobs and allows businesses to survive. Once that happens, many of the buildings now attracting official attention will improve naturally.

As an old musical lament puts it, “They failed to finish poverty, now they want to finish the poor.”

Fix the economy, fix local services, and citizens will fix their buildings.