In a startling revelation, the same president who has long been accused of prioritizing profit over the welfare of his citizens is now pushing for coerced vaccinations, threatening to bar access to public services and public places. This president, with known ties to the Zuva fuel retailer and a 10% stake in a company involved in displacing the Chilonga people from their ancestral lands, has consistently shown a lack of interest in the well-being of Zimbabweans. The question that arises is, why is ZANU PF, the ruling party in Zimbabwe, actively pursuing these coercive measures, and how does it benefit from them?

The forced vaccinations have raised concerns on several fronts, primarily centered on the lack of democratic appreciation within the government. The notion of a government forcibly vaccinating its citizens, while simultaneously depriving them of essential public services like healthcare and education, raises alarm bells regarding the violation of fundamental constitutional liberties. These are rights that should be protected, not trampled upon by the very government sworn to uphold them.

ZANU PF’s track record does not inspire confidence in its sudden concern for the well-being of the population. The president in question oversaw the tragic Gukurahundi ethnic cleansing, ordered the shooting of citizens exercising their right to assembly after the 2018 elections, and responded to petrol protests with heavy-handed military tactics. These actions paint a different picture of a government willing to crush any perceived threats to its power and wealth.

So, what does ZANU PF stand to gain from coerced vaccinations? The answer lies in profit and self-preservation. The urgency and threats surrounding the vaccination drive indicate that the ruling party is willing to go to great lengths to achieve its goals. By ensuring mass vaccinations, ZANU PF can justify the suspension of by-elections, which the opposition is likely to win, and secure its position for the 2023 elections, despite growing discontent among the populace.

However, the profit motive becomes evident when we consider the vaccines being administered. Despite reports of casualties, including a tragic case in Gutu where someone died after receiving the Sinopharm vaccine from China, ZANU PF has not halted its use. This indifference to the safety and well-being of citizens suggests a primary interest in profit over public health. While countries like Denmark, Iceland, and the Netherlands have paused the use of certain vaccines due to safety concerns, Zimbabwe continues to administer potentially unsafe vaccines.

ZANU PF’s collaboration with China and other countries in procuring these vaccines comes with benefits beyond monetary gains. By aligning with China in the United Nations Security Council, Zimbabwe gains protection from international sanctions. This allows ZANU PF to continue its widespread violations of human rights and property, furthering its agenda of looting and maintaining power.

In conclusion, ZANU PF’s profit-driven agenda is evident in its coercion of vaccinations, neglect of citizen welfare, and disregard for the safety of its own people. Rather than prioritizing fundamental human rights like access to healthcare and education, the ruling party is actively violating these rights for personal gain. Zimbabweans find themselves caught in the crossfire of a government more interested in profits and self-preservation than the well-being of its citizens. It is a stark reminder that in the pursuit of power and wealth, fundamental human rights can be sacrificed, and citizens may become unwitting guinea pigs in a political and economic experiment.