In the heart of Zimbabwe, the once-vibrant industrial city of Gweru bore witness to a tragic tale of economic decline, marked by the demise of prominent companies like Zimcast, Radar Castings, Kariba Batteries, Fort Concrete, and David Whitehead. These businesses, which once thrived and fueled the nation’s economy, were wiped from the market by a series of existential threats. The culprits behind this devastating deindustrialization include ZANU PF’s economic policies, an illegitimate prolonged stay in power, a patronage system, corruption, the conflation of party and state, rule by law, and the repression of peaceful dissent through state-sponsored violence.

Replacing these fallen giants are Chinese companies, operating with the blessings of ZANU PF. However, their presence has not ushered in a new era of industrialization; instead, it has contributed to the deindustrialization of the region. This ironic twist of fate serves as a grim reminder of ZANU PF’s preference for Chinese exploitative operations over supporting local companies. But why does the ruling party lean in this direction? Let’s delve deeper into the factors at play.

The roots of deindustrialization in Zimbabwe can be traced back to the half-hearted and abortive implementation of the Economic Structural Adjustment Program (ESAP). While ESAP itself is not the primary issue under scrutiny, it serves as a crucial backdrop to the nation’s economic woes. ESAP was introduced as a remedial action to counter ZANU PF’s obsessive pursuit of a one-party state, underpinned by an imperial monarchical presidency that surpassed the constraints of a mutilated constitution.

The ideology driving these ambitions was socialism, a choice influenced by the pre-independence support Zimbabwe received from communist Russia and socialist China. Post-independence, the country found itself entangled in global geopolitics, with Russia, China, and the United States vying for influence. Zimbabwe, led by ZANU PF, was compelled to align itself with the failing camp of socialism. This strategic misstep was driven by an urgent need for excessive power and envy of undemocratic political organizations like the Communist Party of China and North Korea. ZANU PF believed that these excessive powers would safeguard their grip on power, even though their role in the Chimurenga, or liberation struggle, had been militarily ineffective, as evidenced by the subsequent Lancaster Conference.

With the identification of ZANU PF’s aspirations for a one-party state as a key driver of deindustrialization, it’s crucial to examine other factors engineered by the ruling party that accelerated this decline. Corruption is a prime example. Corruption took root in the 1980s, with scandals like the Paweni scandal (1982) and the National Railways Housing Scandal (1986) tarnishing the nation’s reputation. Over time, corruption became systemic, institutionalized, and evolved into state capture by private interests.

How does corruption contribute to deindustrialization? Taking the ZISCO and Willowgate scandals as examples, the funds pilfered by ZANU PF from these companies were meant for retooling and modernization. However, these ill-gotten gains were never reinvested, leaving the companies unable to compete with modernized industries globally. This lack of competitiveness led to a loss of business, both domestically and internationally, as cheaper imported goods took over.

But corruption’s harmful impact doesn’t end there. ZANU PF’s demands for gratitude perks from foreign investors interested in reviving looted industries further sabotage industrialization efforts. From infiltrating the boards of these revived companies to thwarting reinvestment, ZANU PF’s greed is a major obstacle to industrial growth. Between 2013 and 2014, over 4,610 companies shut down when ZANU PF abandoned the Government of National Unity, reversing the progress made during that period.

Furthermore, ZANU PF’s preference for Chinese companies exacerbates the problem. These companies often evade taxes, engage in capital flight, and flout labor and environmental regulations. How can local companies compete with such unfair advantages? It’s a nearly impossible challenge, leading to deindustrialization, business closures, and even entrepreneurs relocating abroad.

In conclusion, ZANU PF’s policies and actions have led to the deindustrialization of Zimbabwe, resulting in economic hardship, unemployment, food insecurity, inflation, and a brain drain. It’s only through a change in leadership, a commitment to transparency, and support for local industries that Zimbabwe can hope to reverse this tragic decline and rebuild its industrial base.