Jonathan Moyo tears into RBZ governor Mushayavanhu...

Jonathan Moyo tears into RBZ governor Mushayavanhu over ZiG comments

Oscar J Jeke

ZIM NOW REPORTER

Exiled former Information minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has launched an scathing attack on Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu over his comments on the prospects of the recently introduced ZiG currency.

This comes as, in a shocking revelation, Dr Mushayavanhu, told a recent meeting that the public should blame the World Bank if the structured currency fails since he was given the idea by World Bank consultants.

Dr Mushayavanhu, during the same meeting, had said the idea of structured currency emanated from a consultant from the World Bank, adding that “they” knew little of structured currency.

Prof Moyo would have none of this and blatantly stated: “In principle, a principal who blames a consultant or an advisor - or who discloses the identity of a consultant or an advisor - to escape responsibility or to justify or defend his own decision or policy - is simply not up to the task and is therefore not fit for purpose.”

**Exiled former Information minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo**

Prof Moyo added that consultants or advisors are professional or technical analysts or experts; “they’re not decision makers, and so, they do the analysis and recommend options, each with its pros and cons or its costs and benefits. It’s the principals who weigh the options and bite the bullet by making a decision to commit to a particular option by having it implemented”.

The former minister also said that principals, meaning decision makers, “must always take full responsibility for their decisions by standing or falling with them!”

The RBZ governor had said that if the idea fails, blaming him would also mean blaming the World Bank, for giving bad advice.

“We did not know much about a structured currency. We got a consultant from the World Bank. A lot of the things you’re seeing about the structured currency actually came from the World Bank.

“So, if you’re going to blame me, you’re actually blaming the World Bank. Maybe they didn’t advise us properly. And if they did not advise us properly, it’s fine. Let’s refine it,” Dr Mushayavanhu.

Dr Mushayavanhu has been on a busy trail with stakeholders, owing to his introduction of a new currency amid fears from the public that it might face the same fate as the previous currencies.

Most observers have said the new currency needed to earn trust and confidence from the government.