MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU – Zimbabwe activists are calling on the government to address the country’s growing inequality and ensure fair taxation policies.
David Chikore, the executive director of the Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRRADA) and a member of the Fighting Inequality Alliance (FIA), said the way Zimbabwe conducts its politics must be informed by the needs of the majority of citizens.
“Uneven distribution of resources can lead to greed and self-serving interests, resulting in increased inequality,” Chikore said during the FIA Zimbabwe People’s Assemblies held in Gweru under the hashtag “RedLineToBillionaires,” which aimed to demand justice and real change.
Chikore criticized the fact that the rich are making policies for the poor, likening it to “sending a mosquito to find a cure for malaria.”
He said the wealthy often evade taxes and craft policies that heavily tax the poor.
One of the conveners, Gracia Mashingaidze added that the people assembly’s objective is to influence taxation policies, advocating for progressive taxation where the rich pay their fair share to fund public services.
Another youth participant, Hazel Denhere, expressed concern over the “mbinga” (wealthy elite) culture and called for them to be taxed appropriately.
The activists are demanding climate justice, economic fairness, and a future that prioritizes people over profit, as the country grapples with widespread poverty, heavy taxation, and the devastating effects of climate change.
The FIA Zimbabwe People’s Assemblies were held ahead of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where over 1,600 business leaders are expected to gather.
