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It’s always someone else’s fault, isn’t it? Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has laid the blame for empty shelves at business’s door, and channelled his inner Mugabe by threatening to ‘come in and take everything’.

Addressing an election rally of his ruling Zanu-PF party in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South province, Mnangagwa said businesses have increased prices of basic goods since the announcement of general elections.

He also accused some in Harare of stocking up basic commodities in their warehouses.

With inflation of more than 175%, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that businesses aren’t the main culprit in driving a country that was already on the edge of an abyss under the previous ‘ruler’, into the endless void of despair and hunger.

But alas, the current state of Zimbabwe has never been the fault of the ruling ZANU PF, instead, it is obvious that their kak governance is mostly the fault of Bush, Blair, businesses, citizens, farmers, and a pet pig named George. The last one was made up, but in the land of lies and false enemies, who cares?

“I have been told that some … in Harare are stocking basic goods in warehouses. Let me warn them, l am having people investigating the warehouses and if it is true, we will confiscate not only the warehouse but the things inside and give it to you and distribute them.”

Ahh, the classic ‘the enemy is doing this to us’ ruse, followed up with the typical ‘confiscate and distribute’ promise to the hungry populace. Classic Mugabe stuff really, but then again, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is not much different from the ousted fallen struggle hero.

The government lifted all restrictions on the importation of basic commodities amid skyrocketing prices of bread, flour, cooking oil, and mealie meal. But prices of basic food have continued rising with products like sugar, flour, and cooking oil disappearing from shop shelves.

Feel free to put your palm to your forehead in a revolutionary slapping motion now.

The question has perhaps been asked to death, but why is Zimbabwe not flourishing? The citizens of Zim are wonderful people who would love nothing more than to grow their country into the breadbasket of Africa once more.

With elections around the corner, Zimbabweans can instead expect more finger-pointing and violence. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Cry, the beloved continent.