OPINION: The solution to Zimbabwe problems is so near but slippery. A lot of interlocking spurs are derailing a quick solution to the calamities that have been ravaging Zimbabwe.

All the problems are man made. None of them are natural disasters.

The media is however awash with how President Robert Mugabe’s government orchestrated the catastrophe. Acres of newspaper space feed us with information of how Mugabe ran down the economy of the once prosperous Zimbabwe and how political freedom and other liberties dried up under Mugabe’s 29-year-old administration.

This exhausted version, though true, is incomplete without the insertion of the role of the erudite non-governmental organisations (NGO) sharks.

A huge bazaar for calamities churned out by ZANU PF emerged in the last few years. A vague, frictional and profiteering correlation between the ZANU PF regime and civic societies sprung to life.

Scores of NGOs plying the Zimbabwe business came into existence from nowhere like vultures circling their prey.

Some of the best minds of Zimbabwe opted not to join the political front of the struggle against Mugabe, but chose the lucrative NGO sector.

They argue that the political space in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party is too small to contain everyone.

Some profess that they could best exploit their capacities in a non-partisan industry than joining a political organisation. A noble decision (you would agree), if their intentions were genuine anywhere.

NGOs trading in Zimbabwe problems have positioned themselves as enthusiastic “salesmen of the stock” . . . the plight of the innocent and begging Zimbabweans being the stock, and the manufacturer being gluttonous ZANU PF zealots.

And there has been a steady supply of “the products” in the past few years as ZANU PF’s manufacturing machines went into high momentum leaving behind a trail of fatalities – subjecting everyone to maddening poverty. And this is being turned into a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

If one is lucky to have escaped the current Zimbabwean quagmire earlier (like this writer), and has had the opportunity to have driven pass the Methodist Church in central Johannesburg, you certainly would have witnessed droves of squalid-looking and struggling Zimbabweans being video recorded everyday and paraded as the “needy people.”

Well-crafted project proposals are employed as keys into the tills of the ever-floating donor rites.

The NGO sharks have perfected the art of deceitfully siphoning the world’s hardest currency into the ‘Zimbabwe struggle’ while bleeding, cholera-infected, homeless and hungry Zimbabweans are used as mere statistics to garner financial compassion from benefactors.

The actual authentic recipients of the donor funds are rapidly and expediently forgotten as soon as the project proposals pay off. They only regain statistical prominence when another project proposal snare is needed.

The avaricious sharks vanish into their air-conditioned offices, opulent neighbourhoods and ritzy German-made sedans after reaping . . . the cycle continues.

Some NGOs are masquerading as cohorts of the all-powerful MDC to gain credibility so as to milk the “green back” from credulous donors.

Some NGOs have gone to the extent of hiring “larger than life” and high-flying individuals to make appearances on their launches.

The Zimbabwe ‘crisis commodity’ is so appealing and easy to sell. Even South African NGOs are overtly baiting for the “green back” using the Zimbabwe crisis as the clasp or hook.

Recently, another South African NGO, code named ‘Save Zimbabwe Now’ mushroomed into life in an emotionally charged and stage-managed launch at the Johannesburg Central Methodist Church.

Prominent individuals like Graca Machel, Elino Sisulu, Venetia Govender, Khumi Naidoo and Nondumiso Gasa took centre stage as struggling Zimbabweans get reduced to flaccid spectators hearing their tribulations being articulated by the NGO protagonists.

In an occasion that lasted almost three hours, not a single suffering Zimbabwean spoke, except for Pastor William Mugabe, (strangely sharing the same name with the nemesis of the struggling Zimbabwean people) who broke down for the cameras.

Hundreds of Zimbabweans squatting in the church became instant statistics for use and abuse during the launch.

One cannot deny that some of these activists genuinely toil for the people however the opulence and gullibility of some of them is not difficult to detect.

Others have vested interests extending to mining consortia in Zimbabwe working hand in hand with ZANU PF. Yes! I said that. Is it difficult to believe? . ?

Some have become so affluent over the years beyond the imagination of the struggling Zimbabweans they parade.

All is bound to come to a sudden crashing end with the coming to life of the imminent inclusive government in Zimbabwe. The “stock” is going to disappear and business will take a nosedive.

Human rights project proposals will cease to be keys to any till and thousands of Zimbabwe’s best brains will find themselves passengers of a stationary gravy train.

The ZANU PF manufacturing machinery is boisterously grinding to a halt and virtually cutting off ‘crisis supplies.’

Donors would be left with no alternative except to seal their wallets as supplies dry up.

This is exactly the reason why dominant, eloquent and flamboyant characters in the NGO sector are quick to cry foul over Morgan Tsvangirai’s decision to be part of a solution to the problems of Zimbabwe.

Some are already mouthing out serious assertions of deception on Tsvangirai’s part. They claim the inclusive government is against the wishes of the electorate and agitate for Tsvangirai’s absolute take over.

Another noble argument, but how long will this take? – ZimOnline