HARARE – Zimbabwean economics professor Gift Mugano has publicly distanced himself from opposition politics linked to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa, declaring that he has “moved on” and will now work with the Government of Zimbabwe in what he says is the national interest.
Mugano, whose commentary on economic policy has shifted over time from neutrality to open criticism and now towards constructive engagement, has attracted both praise and backlash. Critics have accused him of adjusting his positions depending on convenience, while supporters argue he has chosen pragmatism over political posturing.
In a strongly worded public statement, Mugano said persistent questions over his recent positive remarks about government performance had forced him to clarify his position. He said he would support government policies where they are effective and criticise them where necessary, guided by facts, professionalism and national development rather than political affiliation.
Declaring “I have moved on,” Mugano dismissed his earlier opposition-leaning posture as a phase of political and personal reflection, which he described as his “Saul moment.” He said he had since undergone a “Damascus moment,” signalling a permanent shift away from what many perceived as alignment with Chamisa and the CCC.
To justify his decision to work with the state, Mugano invoked biblical figures Daniel and Joseph, arguing that principled technocrats should serve the government of the day regardless of who is in power. He said Daniel served multiple kings with wisdom and integrity, while Joseph advised Egypt’s leadership through economic crisis, saving lives beyond political boundaries. Although he said he did not claim spiritual equivalence with them, Mugano described their conduct as the model for his own approach.
He went on to praise what he described as tangible economic progress under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, pointing to improved macroeconomic stability under the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, record gold production, rising mineral exports, widespread construction activity, steady gains in agriculture, increased foreign currency generation and Zimbabwe’s emergence as Africa’s leading steel producer following major industrial investment.
Mugano said these developments constituted a positive national story that deserved support, even as he acknowledged persistent challenges such as fiscal pressure, rising debt, unemployment, drug abuse, poverty and poor social indicators.
Going forward, he said his focus would be on working with the Government of Zimbabwe as a professional economist, providing uninterrupted, evidence-based policy advice aimed at sustaining macroeconomic stability, managing fiscal risks, driving growth and advancing shared and inclusive development.
His remarks are expected to deepen political debate, with opposition supporters likely to view them as confirmation that he has abandoned Chamisa, while government allies will see them as the return of a technocrat to the national development agenda.
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