Give to Caesar What Belongs to Caesar,
But How Do You Give to Caesar When He Is the One Taking People from Their Jobs and Demolishing Their Houses?
The biblical phrase, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar," is often used to remind citizens of their responsibilities to the state, including paying taxes and respecting the laws of the land. However, an important question arises: how do you give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar when Caesar himself is taking away people's livelihoods, demolishing their homes and stripping them of their dignity? Across Zimbabwe, ordinary citizens continue to face enormous economic and social challenges. For many families, a house represents years of sacrifice, hard work and financial commitment. For others, a small business or informal trading activity is their only means of survival. When demolitions take place or people lose their sources of income, the consequences extend far beyond bricks and mortar. Families are left struggling to survive, children face uncertainty and communities are pushed further into poverty.
The government has a responsibility to enforce laws, regulate urban development and maintain order. However, the enforcement of laws must never come at the expense of humanity, fairness and constitutional rights. Zimbabwe's Constitution guarantees fundamental rights, including the right to human dignity, equality before the law and protection from arbitrary eviction. Government authorities must therefore ensure that any action taken against citizens follows due process, respects the law and considers the human consequences. One cannot demand responsibility from citizens while ignoring the responsibilities of those entrusted with governing them. How can a government expect people to pay taxes, obey regulations and contribute to national development when their businesses are destroyed, their homes are demolished and their opportunities to earn a living are taken away?
Leadership should not simply be about issuing orders, imposing penalties and enforcing regulations. It should be about protecting citizens, creating opportunities and improving living conditions. The people of Zimbabwe are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for fairness, accountability, respect and an environment in which they can work, build homes and raise their families without living in constant fear of losing everything.
Ultimately, taxation and obedience to the law must go hand in hand with good governance, transparency and accountability. The relationship between the government and its citizens should be one of mutual responsibility, not one in which the state demands everything while giving little consideration to the suffering of those it governs. Before demanding what belongs to Caesar, perhaps Caesar should first ask himself what he owes the people.