Time for Zimbabwe’s president to step down

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The president of Zimbabwe has failed the people. Once a nation filled with hope and dreams of a brighter future, Zimbabwe has been brought to its knees under the weight of political corruption, violence, and economic collapse. The time for change is long overdue.

Even those who once stood by the president’s side, loyal members of his own party, are now speaking out. His former allies have seen the destruction he has sown and are calling for him to leave office immediately. They can no longer stand by and watch as he clings to power while the country crumbles. The economy is in tatters, and basic necessities like food, healthcare, and jobs have become luxuries only a few can afford, But this is not just a story of incompetence, it is one of cruelty. To secure his power, the president has taken drastic and violent steps. The deaths of top military generals who stood in his way have been shrouded in suspicious circumstances, leading many to believe he has no qualms about eliminating those he perceives as threats. These are men who once served their country with honour, who are now reduced to mere pawns in a ruthless game of political survival.

And who can forget Gukurahundi? The massacre of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, predominantly from the Ndebele ethnic group, remains one of the darkest chapters in Zimbabwe’s history. Instead of seeking truth and reconciliation, the president has buried this atrocity, hoping time will erase the bloodstains on his hands. But the cries of those lost and their grieving families still echo through the land. A leader who has overseen such brutality should have no place in power.

Zimbabwe deserves better. The people of Zimbabwe deserve a leader who prioritises their well-being over his thirst for power, someone who fosters unity, not division. As long as the president remains in office, the nation will continue to suffer, and the dreams of a prosperous, free Zimbabwe will remain out of reach.

It is time for him to step down. For the sake of Zimbabwe’s future, for the sake of its people, this nightmare must end.

NEWTON TAPIWA MPOFU

Political Activist