By Isaac Zulu
Having a low inflation which does not translate into reduced cost of living is total nonsense, Saboi Imboela has charged.
And the National Democratic Congress leader has said that the dismissal of ministry of health permanent secretary Dr George Magwende is a sign of the manifestation of corruption in the UPND administration
Speaking in an interview, Imboela observed that economics fundamentals dictate that when there is a reduction in inflation rate, there should be a reduction in the cost of living.
“We were being told that the economy is being affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and Western countries that were affected by the Russia-Ukraine war recorded an increase in the inflation rate. But the kind of economy that we are being introduced to by the UPND is shocking,” said Imboela. “We have seen a reduction in the inflation rate all the way to a single digit; but we are not seeing a reduction in the cost of living. Economics fundamentals are that when there’s a reduction in the inflation rate, naturally everything goes down. But this is not is what is happening under the UPND administration. This done not make sense. This is nonsense! I think there is some manipulation. And that is why even the bus drivers and tax operators are refusing to reduce the bus fares.”
She further pointed out that the cost of the food basket has continued increasing, despite the country recording a reduction in the inflation.
“When they came into government the food basket for a family of five was at about K7,000. Twelve months down the line, the food basket is now at about K9,300. Clearly, the cost of living has been increasing,” said Imboela.
And Imboela said that Dr Magwende is a sacrificial lamb in the US$100 million loan suspected to have been signed by him as permanent secretary.
She said that the problems at the ministry of health are bigger than Dr Magwende, saying a permanent secretary cannot sign a loan with such a huge amount of money.
“We are happy that the permanent secretary at the ministry of health has been fired in order to pave way for investigations in alleged corrupt activities. But the problems prevailing at the ministry of health are much bigger than Dr Magwende,” said Imboela. “There is no way he can sign a loan involving such a huge amount of money. Dr Magwende is just being used as a sacrificial lumb in this whole thing. And this is a sign of the manifestation of corruption in the UPND government.”
She said that the UPND administration’s performance in the last 12 months that they have been in government should be assessed based on the campaign promises they made while in opposition.
“They promised to fight corruption – past, present and future – and we are analysing if they are living up to that. They promised to address the challenge of shortage of drugs in health facilities, but when you go to these health centres and hospitals, you won’t find syringes, panadol and other medical essentials,” explained Imboela. “They promised free education up to university, but when they formed government they changed and said they will only provide free education up to grade 12. Again this free education where you have crowded classrooms is not qualify education, but compromised education. Even if you are a super teacher, you cannot handle such a big number of pupils. Even if you are a super student you cannot concentrate in such a learning environment. So the UPND’s one year stay in government is being judged based the promises they made.”
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