By Ziyah News Reporter
A seemingly innocuous call for improved healthcare by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youths, Tino Machakaire, has ignited a firestorm within the ruling ZANU PF party, with a prominent party loyalist publicly questioning the Minister’s tax compliance. The incident highlights deep-seated tensions and the party’s intolerance for internal criticism, even when framed as a “Save Our Soul” appeal.
The controversy began when Minister Machakaire took to Facebook to address President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa directly, posting a “Save Our Soul” message urging the President to prioritize the country’s ailing health system. While the post was framed as a plea for intervention, it appears to have ruffled feathers within the party ranks.
In a swift and pointed response, ZANU PF foot-soldier BaShona, known for his unwavering support of the party, publicly questioned Machakaire’s financial contributions to the very system he was advocating for.
“I hope businesspeople like Hon. Minister @HonMachakaire are paying taxes to the government via @Zimra_11 so that the government can fund the public health syste. Without proper funding, the Ministry of Health will continue to face challenges,” BaShona stated in a social media post.
BaShona’s comments, widely interpreted as a thinly veiled accusation of tax evasion, did not stop there. He also challenged the Minister to focus on combating drug abuse among the youth, framing it as a significant burden on the healthcare system.
“In the same vein, I also challenge the Hon. Minister to strengthen efforts in fighting drug abuse among our youth, whose numbers are increasing, adding to healthcare problems in healthcare institutions across the country,” he added.
Political analyst Majaira Jairosi was quick to react to BaShona’s suggestive sentiments, interpreting them as a retaliatory attack.
“ZANU PF apologist BaShona is now making statements which appear to suggest that @HonMachakaire doesn’t pay taxes to Zimra because he didn’t like Tino to discover what people have been saying for years including @daddyhope, who is very prominent in this subject,” Jairosi commented.
Renowned political analyst Elder Mabhunu weighed in on the matter, highlighting the potential political fallout for Minister Machakaire. Mabhunu suggested that while BaShona’s statement could be viewed as a “noble” call for tax compliance, it is more likely a reflection of ZANU PF’s ingrained intolerance for constructive criticism, especially from within its own ranks.
“BaShona could have made a noble statement, but knowing ZANU PF as we do, Machakaire could be viewed as having gone astray,” Mabhunu observed.
While the country grapples with a severe healthcare crisis, the focus appears to have shifted to internal power dynamics and the perceived disloyalty of a minister who dared to publicly highlight the system’s shortcomings.
The incident raises serious questions about accountability, transparency, and the party’s willingness to address fundamental issues when faced with internal dissent.