O- Zapu, has raised alarm over the escalating cost of living in Zimbabwe, warning that citizens are already under severe economic strain at a time when government is pushing for controversial constitutional amendments.
The party’s leader Matthew Sibanda, who is also a renowned businessperson said the party’s concerns are informed not only by political engagement but also by his direct experience in agriculture and commerce, where rising input costs and declining consumer purchasing power are taking a toll.
Speaking in an interview with Cite Sibanda pointed to sharp increases in basic expenses such as fuel, electricity tariffs, rentals, public transport fares, and vehicle licensing fees, noting that wages have remained stagnant.
“People are being squeezed from every angle. “As a politician and businessperson, I see the cost of production rising daily — from fuel to electricity and this inevitably pushes prices up in shops. But the tragedy is that salaries are not moving in tandem. Ordinary Zimbabweans are now living hand-to-mouth,” he Sibanda.
His remarks come as Zanu PF pushes forward with a Constitutional Amendment Bill that critics say could extend the terms of the president and parliament without a referendum.
Sibanda drew a direct link between the worsening economic situation and the proposed political changes, arguing that the government is prioritizing power consolidation over citizens’ welfare.
“It is deeply troubling that at a time when people cannot afford basic goods in supermarkets, the focus is on extending political terms,” he said.
“From my experience in business, when costs go up and incomes do not, systems eventually collapse. Zimbabweans are worrying about bread, rent and transport, yet leaders are worrying about staying longer in office. That disconnect is unacceptable.”
He added that prolonging leadership terms without public consent would only deepen citizens’ suffering.
“If people are already struggling under current conditions, what more if leadership extends itself without accountability ?. There is no justification for avoiding a referendum. The people must decide,” Sibanda questioned,
The O Zapu leader emphasised that his party firmly rejects the proposed amendments, describing them as undemocratic and out of touch with the needs of the population.
“As O Zapu, we categorically reject these constitutional amendments. They are not in the interest of the people but in the interest of political survival,” he said.
He also condemned reports of violence that marred recent public hearings on the bill, calling for tolerance and respect for democratic processes.
“We strongly condemn the violence witnessed during the public hearings. Citizens must be allowed to express their views freely without intimidation or fear. A constitution belongs to the people, not to any political party.”
He urged the government to shift its focus toward addressing the economic hardships facing citizens.
“The priority should be stabilizing the economy, lowering the cost of living and improving people’s incomes. Zimbabweans deserve relief, not political maneuvering that ignores their daily struggles,” he added.