THE REALITIES AFTER THE 12 AUGUST ELECTIONS.
By Anonymous
“Should people decide to allow the PF to continue for another 5 years, here are the likely situations; ( these are purely my personal reflections and should not be misconstrued to be YOUR reality).
1. The suspension of the 16% VAT on fuel is likely to be lifted because it’s not sustainable. The fuel transporters may also ask that their $10 surcharge is reinstated. That will push fuel prices above K36 per litre. We all know what comes with fuel increases; increase in all commodity prices.
2. The debt repayments that we suspended, have been accumulating interest and interest on interest. The collectors will come knocking our doors. Our coffers will be suffocated and depleted to the extent will be begging to exchange some of that debt with our national assets.
3. Due to increased food prices as a result of point 1, inflation will rise significantly eroding people’s incomes and making it hard to make ends meet.( my guess here is as good as yours, this might lead to instability)
4. With the Kwacha’s continued depreciation, importers of goods and services will have a tough time bringing things in the country. This could lead to shortages of certain essential goods especially those that are not substitute goods.
5. With high inflation rates, high cost of goods and services, depreciation of the Kwacha, comes Labour disputes and a generally demotivated and disillusioned workforce. Labour disputes will become the order of the day.
6. Though the pandemic will have subsided by then, it’s trail of destruction will not go unnoticed. The health systems are likely to weaken posing shortages of essential drugs.
7. If the past is anything to go by, the cadres will become the MVPs taking all govt contracts, intimidating everyone and flaunting their riches in the faces of starving Zambians.
8. The Government will have a tough time to convince the IMF to come to the negotiations table without making sacrifices. In order to get that IMF deal, taxes may go up and new ones introduced. That would further impact the citizen’s incomes.
9. Without an IMF deal and technical support, the markets and investors will lose confidence and make it so hard for Zambia to borrow or even do business.
10. Then, ultimately, the economy will crumble, citizens will become impoverished, corruption will become rampant and all the gains of the past will totally be wiped out.
This is a nightmare you don’t want to experience. Vote wisely on August 12th 2021.
If you use your tribe, region, church, familiarity, emotions, family and such to vote, then brace yourselves for what is coming.
We only have one chance in 5 years, use it wisely to liberate your country and give hope to the future generations.”