Dear President Mnangagwa,

This letter is written on behalf of the citizens of Zimbabwe who implore you to take decisive action to restore the rule of law in our beloved nation. 

In 2017, the nation looked upon your ascent to power with hope. We remembered the promises you made upon your return from exile—promises of change, a new beginning, and a listening presidency. You emphasized your commitment to be a president who hears and acts on the will of the people. Unfortunately, the reality on the ground has painted a starkly different picture.

Under the rule of Robert Mugabe, corruption was rampant, but it was not as overt and shameless as what we witness today. The Willowgate scandal, for example, led to significant repercussions, including a minister committing suicide out of shame, and Mugabe himself ensured some form of accountability. Compare this to the current state where corruption has escalated to unprecedented levels, impacting every facet of our society.

The legacy of corruption under your administration is far more explicit and pervasive. Reports indicate that under Mugabe, despite numerous allegations and scandals, there was still some semblance of control. Now, we see a disturbing trend of unchecked corruption, with public resources being plundered without consequence. Figures such as Maurice Nyagumbo, who died over a relatively minor scandal, would be appalled by the vast scale of today’s corruption.

Mr. President, you have publicly acknowledged your role in persuading Mugabe to retain power after losing the 2008 elections, depriving Zimbabweans of a chance for a fresh start. This action is now viewed by many as a self-serving maneuver to ensure continued power for ZANU-PF at the expense of the people’s will.

Your administration has seen members of your family and close associates entrench themselves in every sector of the economy, often under dubious circumstances. Henrietta Rushwaya’s acquittal on gold smuggling charges and the lavish lifestyle of certain controversial businessmen linked to you have eroded public trust. Moreover, whistleblowers exposing these crimes are persecuted while the perpetrators walk free.

Zimbabweans are a peace-loving and patriotic people. Despite decades of economic hardship, they have remained resilient and hopeful. However, the past seven years under your rule have been among the worst in our history. Development, though present, has come at the cost of increased corruption and social inequality.

Mr. President, you can still change the course of your legacy. The people of Zimbabwe demand accountability, transparency, and justice. We need a government that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens over personal enrichment. We call on you to tackle corruption head-on, reform the tender process, and ensure that those who loot national resources are held accountable.

As we post this letter on Change.org, we urge every citizen signing this petition to add their comments and list their respectful demands from you, Mr. President. We also ask them to detail specific instances of corruption they have witnessed, which should be addressed urgently.

Here are some notable cases of corruption that have plagued our nation:

• The Case of Wicknell Chivayo and all related issues from ZESA to ZEC
• The case of the Gold Mafia, and Henrietta Rushwaya, involved in gold smuggling.
• The blatant misuse of tenders, often inflated a hundredfold, without any consequences.
• The extravagant lifestyles of businessmen linked to you, boasting of their untouchable status.
• The persecution of whistleblowers who expose corruption, while the culprits remain free.

Mr. President, we assure you that should you act decisively against corruption and put the interests of Zimbabweans first, we will honor you as our leader. However, failure to do so will cement your legacy as the worst leader in Zimbabwe’s history, one who elevated corruption and repression to unprecedented levels. It will seem as though you were the mastermind behind Robert Mugabe’s repressive regime and are now continuing this legacy openly.

A Call to Action for the SADC Session

We, the people of Zimbabwe, aim to gather one million signatures and comments on this petition by the time of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) session to be held in Zimbabwe. We intend to present this letter, along with our demands and the extensive evidence of corruption, to all the heads of state attending the session. We seek to rally regional support to address these critical issues and urge for collective action to restore accountability, and prosperity in Zimbabwe.

The future of Zimbabwe lies in your hands, Mr. President. The people have been patient, but their patience is not infinite. It is time to act and prove that you are indeed the listening president you promised to be.

Respectfully,
The Citizens of Zimbabwe