The mad proliferation of ‘4 ED’ groups exposes how the Mnangagwa regime has driven Zimbabweans into poverty

Source: The mad proliferation of ‘4 ED’ groups exposes how the Mnangagwa regime has driven Zimbabweans into poverty Action speaks louder than words. Tendai Ruben Mbofana In recent years, Zimbabwe has witnessed an almost comical surge in the formation of groups identifying themselves as “4 ED” or “for ED.” To directly receive articles from Tendai […]

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Source: The mad proliferation of ‘4 ED’ groups exposes how the Mnangagwa regime has driven Zimbabweans into poverty

Action speaks louder than words.

Tendai Ruben Mbofana

In recent years, Zimbabwe has witnessed an almost comical surge in the formation of groups identifying themselves as “4 ED” or “for ED.”

To directly receive articles from Tendai Ruben Mbofana, please join his WhatsApp Channel on: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaqprWCIyPtRnKpkHe08

Although the acronym supposedly stands for “Economic Development,” it is an open secret that the “ED” in question actually refers to Emmerson Dambudzo — the initials of President Mnangagwa himself.

The real purpose of these groups, therefore, is not to advance the country’s economic development but to publicly pledge loyalty to the president as an individual, often with the expectation of material benefits in return.

At last count, there were said to be over 50 of these “4 ED” formations across the country — among them Young Women 4 ED, Pastors 4 ED, Vendors 4 ED, Men BelievED, and Pensioners 4 ED.

In recent weeks, even more absurd ones have emerged, such as TopSoup 4 ED, Hitmakers 4 ED, and Prisoners 4 ED.

The sheer number and ridiculous nature of some of these groups have made Zimbabweans wonder whether the country has lost all sense of seriousness.

What started as a political gimmick has now turned into an embarrassing national circus.

Beyond the comic relief these formations may provide, there are serious political undertones to their proliferation.

Within the ruling ZANU-PF party itself, many observers view the mushrooming of “4 ED” groups as the creation of parallel structures meant to consolidate Mnangagwa’s personal grip on power.

This has been interpreted as a sign of deep mistrust within the party, particularly towards those perceived to be loyal to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga — who is said to be opposed to Mnangagwa’s alleged ambition to extend his rule beyond 2028.

These “4 ED” affiliates thus serve as instruments of factional politics, reinforcing loyalty to Mnangagwa the man, rather than ZANU-PF or Zimbabwe as a nation.

But there is something even deeper — and more tragic — behind this hysteria of forming “4 ED” groups.

While some of their members may claim to genuinely support Mnangagwa’s leadership, the reality is that poverty, not patriotism, is the driving force behind this phenomenon.

Over the past year or so, several of these groups have reportedly benefited from so-called “empowerment projects” — essentially loans handed out under government or politically aligned programs.

In some instances, controversial tenderpreneur and convicted criminal Wicknell Chivayo has rewarded certain “4 ED” affiliates and individuals with cash, luxury cars, and other lavish gifts.

It does not take a genius to see that these incentives have triggered a gold rush of opportunists scrambling to form their own “4 ED” groups, hoping to be next in line for the handouts.

What does this say about Zimbabwe as a nation?

It reveals a country so deeply impoverished and morally broken that people are now willing to trade their dignity for survival.

Citizens who can barely make ends meet have realized that sycophancy pays better than honest work.

Bootlicking has become a survival strategy.

Under Mnangagwa’s regime, poverty has not only robbed Zimbabweans of livelihoods but also of integrity and self-respect.

This moral decay was laid bare by the president himself when he recently told the global community in Qatar that his administration had halved poverty in Zimbabwe since 1995.

His finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, added to the absurdity by claiming that Zimbabwe is now a “middle-income economy,” where citizens spend an average of US$9 a day.

These claims, of course, are grossly misleading and blatantly false.

The government’s own statistics agency, ZimStats, shows that nearly half the population lives in extreme poverty.

According to international development organizations such as Reall, about 72 percent of Zimbabweans now live below the poverty line — a higher proportion than the 62 percent recorded in 1995, the very year Mnangagwa used as his baseline.

The Borgen Project, in April 2025, reported that around 60 percent of the population survives on less than US$3.65 a day.

These are not signs of a “middle-income” society but of a nation in distress.

In reality, Zimbabweans are poorer today than at any other time in the country’s history.

The proliferation of “4 ED” groups is not proof of Mnangagwa’s popularity — it is evidence of his government’s failure.

People are not rallying behind the president because they are inspired by his leadership or policies; they are doing so because they are desperate.

Poverty, engineered by the very regime these groups worship, has turned ordinary citizens into beggars for patronage.

Each new “4 ED” group is a symptom of a society broken by corruption, mismanagement, and economic decay.

In a normal, functional country, no one would need to sing praises to a political leader in order to earn a living.

Teachers, nurses, journalists, and pastors would be able to live comfortably from their honest work.

Yet in today’s Zimbabwe, even professionals have been reduced to hustling for survival.

A teacher or nurse, after tax deductions, takes home barely US$150 a month, while elderly pensioners receive as little as US$50 from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).

That is why even pensioners now have their own “4 ED” affiliate — hoping for a few crumbs from the master’s table.

It is both humiliating and tragic.

This is an embarrassing indictment of Mnangagwa’s administration.

The government’s failure or unwillingness to tackle corruption, its misplaced priorities, and its utter incompetence have turned Zimbabwe into a nation of dependents and sycophants.

Those who should be the conscience of society — professionals, religious leaders, and artists — are now among those singing praises in exchange for handouts.

Even musicians, once the voice of the people, are forming “Hitmakers 4 ED” groups instead of producing songs that challenge injustice and speak for the oppressed.

Ultimately, these “4 ED” groups do not celebrate economic development; they expose the economic desperation of a people betrayed by their leaders.

They reveal a Zimbabwe where loyalty to power is rewarded more than merit, where citizens must beg for crumbs while a corrupt elite lives in obscene luxury.

Instead of demonstrating Mnangagwa’s strength, they display his weakness — that he must buy loyalty in a country where genuine admiration has long since vanished.

In the end, the mad proliferation of “4 ED” groups will not save Mnangagwa’s image.

If anything, they have become a mirror reflecting his government’s colossal failure — a nation where hunger has replaced hope, and citizens have learned that flattery is the only reliable form of employment.

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