Zimbabwe's power-sharing Government

[Comrade007]

Will it work? What are your thoughts? I'm highly skeptical and do not believe Mugabe or ZANU-PF are really serious about this at all. Reports like this on in the Gurdian certainly do not dispell my doubts:

Mugabe regime goes back on deal over activists

Chris McGreal in Harare

The Guardian, Tuesday 10 February 2009 Article historyPresident Robert Mugabe's regime has reneged on an agreement to release dozens of opposition activists, who have been abducted and severely tortured to extract false confessions of terrorism, before tomorrow's swearing in of a power-sharing government in Zimbabwe.

Doctors' affidavits seen by the Guardian reveal a pattern of torture of many of the 30 political and human rights activists held by the state for months. Nine of the prisoners seen by doctors were subjected to simulated drowning, being hung by their wrists in handcuffs and beaten, and high-voltage electric shocks.

One man was hung upside down from a tree and dumped into a water-filled drum until he passed out. A 72-year-old man was held in a deep freeze before scalding water was poured on his genitals.

Human rights lawyers say the detainees have been tortured to force them to falsely confess to bomb attacks on police stations or plots to overthrow Mugabe, in an attempt by his regime to justify further state violence against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, had demanded the release of the detainees, who include his own security chief and a former close aide, as a condition for being sworn in tomorrow as prime minister in a power-sharing government with Mugabe.

A deal was reached between the MDC and Nicholas Goche, a senior negotiator in Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF, for 16 detainees to be released.

Some were to be taken to hospital last Friday and then quietly freed by a judge in order for the regime to save face. Eight were to appear in court yesterday on the understanding they would be freed. But none of the detainees were produced after the prisons commissioner, Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, refused to hand them over.

Zimondi is a hardline member of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), which acts as Mugabe's security cabinet. JOC organised the campaign of terror, beatings and killings against MDC supporters during last year's elections. The general has threatened violence against the opposition, and recently he burst into a court and broke up a hearing on the release of some of the detainees.

The MDC is interpreting Zimondi's intervention as evidence that the JOC intends to subvert the power-sharing administration by continuing the violence and intimidation against Tsvangirai's officials and supporters.

Suspicion over Mugabe's intent has been further reinforced by what the MDC says is false allegations of corruption laid against seven of its MPs last week in an attempt to overturn the party's newly won majority in parliament.

The tortured detainees include Kisimusi "Chris" Dhlamini, a former officer in the Central Intelligence Organisation, who became the MDC's head of security.

According to an affidavit from a doctor who examined Dhlamini in Harare's maximum security prison, he was repeatedly assaulted, including being subjected to simulated drowning, hung by his wrists in handcuffs, beaten and burned. The affidavit said there were injuries consistent with high-voltage electric shocks as well.

Gandi Mudzingwa, Tsvangirai's former personal assistant, was severely beaten with sticks, kicked, subjected to simulated drowning and had his feet smashed with bricks.

Doctors' affidavits on other prisoners show they were subjected to similar tortures, particularly having their heads forced underwater. A 72-year-old MDC activist, Fidelis Chiramba, was forced into a freezer, stripped naked and had his genitals burned with hot water.

Eight women are being held, including Jestina Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, who was abducted and tortured, and has been held in prison since last year, accused of training insurgents in Botswana to overthrow Mugabe.

[Comrade007]

A tall order, and one that requires cooperation in the truest sense of the word:

While politicians have been at an impasse for nearly a year, Zimbabweans are caught in an intensifying economic and humanitarian nightmare. A glance at the crises they face:

HEALTH

Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic is blamed on the inability of President Robert Mugabe's cash-strapped government to maintain sanitation infrastructure and keep hospitals running. The U.N. says its cholera toll of more than 3,500 since August is probably low because many Zimbabweans are dying at home and uncounted. Aid agencies say others are dying needlessly of AIDS, malaria and other diseases in a country that once boasted the region's best health system.

EDUCATION

Like its hospitals, Zimbabwe's schools under former teacher Mugabe had once been the pride of the region. The British charity Save the Children estimates only two out of 10 Zimbabwean children got to school last year because many poor families are forced to send children out to find work or food instead. Teachers can't afford the bus fare to get to work. Most schools have not opened this school term, which should have begun last month.

HUNGER

The U.N. food program says 7 million Zimbabweans — 80 percent of the population by some estimates — need food aid. Unemployment and spiraling prices have put food out of the reach of many Zimbabweans. Agriculture production has plummeted since Mugabe ordered an often violent land reform campaign in 2000 that saw farms go to his cronies instead of the poor blacks he has championed.

INFLATION

Zimbabwe has the world's highest official inflation, at more than 230 million percent. The central bank at first tried to cope by printing more and more money in ever increasing denominations — now printed in the trillions of Zimbabwe dollars. Last month, it admitted defeat and allowed business to be done legally in foreign currency — many Zimbabweans had already adopted U.S. dollars and South African rand.

[Comrade007]

So now that Morgan Tsvangirai is Prime Minister will we see the release of MDC activists? The first true test of not only his authority and power, but also the attitude of ZANU-PF. This was the easiest part. And have Tsvangirai's security people swept his the new offices for Tsvangirai and other MDC ministers for electronic and other bugs and other covert listening/monitoring equipment?

The regime will keep a close eye on his every move, his every telephone call, his every e-mail, his bank account - as they have been over the past few years. And yes - they will keep Mugabe abreast and informed in their own non-official kitchen security council - not as formal as the new one that was established by law, but still meeting behind closed doors and coordinating activities. T

Man, oh man, I wish this will work but can a leopard change its spot? Will the security services come to the party and call of their attack dogs? Time will tell, my friends.....

By Delia Robertson
Johannesburg
11 February 2009


Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change has been sworn in as Zimbabwe's prime minister.

Morgan Tsvangirai, left, takes the oath of Prime Minster, in front of President Robert Mugabe, right, at the State House in Harare, 11 Feb. 2009
Morgan Tsvangirai, left, takes the oath of Prime Minster, in front of President Robert Mugabe, right, at the State House in Harare, 11 Feb. 2009
In a moment some would classify as pure irony, Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in by his arch-rival President Robert Mugabe.

"Now therefore, I Robert Gabriel Mugabe, president of the Republic of Zimbabwe do hereby call upon you Morgan Richard Tsvangirai to take the oaths, as prescribed by law," Mr. Mugabe said.

Raising his hand, and speaking clearly, Mr. Tsvangirai took the three oaths as required by law. But what many Zimbabweans were anxious to hear, were the words that propelled him into high office.

"I, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai do swear that I will well and truly serve Zimbabwe in the office of prime minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe," Mr. Tsvangirai said. "So help me God."

Prime Minister Tsvangirai's oath was followed by those of the two deputy prime ministers - Arthur Mutambara, leader of the minority MDC faction and Thokozani Khupe, from Mr. Tsvangirai's party.

Among several African leaders and dignitaries there to witness the event was former South African president Thabo Mbeki who spent many long hours and weathered much criticism from across the globe trying to find a solution to Zimbabwe's political crisis.

Earlier in the day, the state-run Herald newspaper, ran a front page story on Mr. Tsvangirai's nominees for candidates, and included photographs of all - the first time the MDC has received such coverage in the Herald.

On Friday, the rest of the cabinet will be sworn in, and then the new unity government will be in place and ready to get to work. The size of the task that awaits them is enormous and the complexities of it run very deep. Inflation is in the hundreds of millions, more than 70,000 people are infected with cholera, and the health and education systems are all but collapsed.

Zimbabweans at home, and in the diaspora, will be watching anxiously, desperately hoping this new government will be able to start their country on the road to recovery

[Comrade007]

We're not even a week into what was supposed to usher into a new era for Zimbabwe, the power-sharing government, and now this. It may well be that Mugabe is not in control of the security services any more. The arrest of Bennett is unhelpful and unfortunate, but not unexpected. ZANU-PF is not ready, and will not change its spots. Benett remains a thorn in the side of the regime not only because he is white, but because he is popular, well-connected, competent and outspoken.

Just what the regime intends to achieve with his arrest on trumped-up charges remains to be seen, but it will not end its demise in the end. It is exactly this kind of action that Tsvangirai was warned about, and his authority is now on the line: If Benett and the other MDC activists that are languishing in Zimbabwe's terrible jails are not released on his word, he will carry no authority and be a lame-duck Prime Minister - exactly what some ZANU-PF people want, and what Zimbabwe cannot afford.

But then, ZANU never much cares for the people of Zimbabwe.

Arrest compromises Zimbabwe unity government: minister

7 hours ago

HARARE (AFP) — Zimbabwe's new finance minister said Saturday a top opposition figure's arrest showed President Robert Mugabe's party was not ready to work with its former rivals in a freshly sworn in unity government.

Following ministerial nominee Roy Bennett's arrest Friday on what his party says were treason charges, Tendai Biti said the move was an ominous start for the unity government sworn in the same day.

"Bennett's arrest proves what we have always argued: that ZANU-PF is not yet ready to work with anyone," said Biti, referring to Mugabe's party.

However Biti, who has been the Zimbabwe opposition's number two and faced treason charges himself in the past, said he and Bennett's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party had no choice but to remain in the government.

"Whoever ordered his arrest is not a friend of Zimbabwe. What it does is to shake any semblance of a foundation for the inclusive government," said Biti.

"Pulling out does not offer any solution. Sadly we are forced to stay in this arrangement for the sake of the people of Zimbabwe."

Bennett, designated to become deputy agriculture minister, is to be questioned by police on treason charges later Saturday, his lawyer said.

"Lawyers representing Roy Bennett have been told that they can only see him at 1600 (1400 GMT)," the MDC said in a statement.

"We demand the respect of Roy Bennett's basic human rights and his immediate unconditional release unharmed."

His arrest came shortly before Mugabe swore in new ministers for the unity government and cast doubt on the credibility of a power-sharing accord.

The unity government will see the country's bitter enemies attempt to work together to pull Zimbabwe out of a deep crisis marked by hunger, the world's highest inflation rate and a deadly cholera epidemic.

Bennett, arrested at an airport on the outskirts of Harare, is a coffee farmer from Chimanimani, a lush region near the border with Mozambique.

He had returned last month from three years of self-imposed exile in South Africa, where he had fled to escape charges of plotting to kill Mugabe.

He was initially charged with attempting to leave the country illegally, but the charge was later changed to treason, according to his party.

Bennett was among the most striking names on new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's cabinet list.

His Charleswood farm was expropriated under Mugabe's land reforms in 2003, and the following year he was jailed for eight months for assault after he punched the justice minister during a heated debate in parliament on the land programme.

On Friday evening, police fired shots in the air to disperse a crowd of MDC supporters who were gathered outside Mutare police station asking for Bennett's release, his lawyer said.

One analyst said Bennett's arrest seemed to reflect concerns from within Mugabe's ruling party as it begins sharing power for the first time.

"The arrest mirrors divisions among the top brass of the long-ruling party who are not happy about losing power," said Daniel Makina, a Zimbabwe analyst at the University of South Africa. "Some of them are against the change."

Regional leaders pressured Mugabe and Tsvangirai into the power-sharing deal to end nearly a year of political turmoil following disputed elections last March.

They are meant to work together to battle nationwide food shortages, a cholera epidemic that has killed 3,400 people and inflation estimated in multiples of billions.

An estimated three million Zimbabweans have fled the country's economic and political instability, and are now supporting their families with remittances of both cash and food.

[Comrade007]

Will Mugabe be able to reign in the people who are bent on frustrating the new arrangements?

By James Butty
Washington, DC
16 February 2009


Zimbabwe police say they have dropped treason charges against Roy Bennet of the Movement forDemocratic Chang (MDC), but still plan to bring him to court Monday to face other charges. Lawyers for Bennett, a former MDC treasurer and ally of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, say he will be charged with attempting to commit acts of terrorism, insurgency and banditry.

Bennet was arrested Friday, shortly before he was to be sworn in as deputy minister of agriculture in the new Zimbabwe unity government.

Nelson Chamisa is former MDC spokesman and now minister for communication in the new inclusive government. Speaking as a spokesman for the MDC, he told VOA Bennet has committed no crime and must be released.

"I'm not yet quite served with the actual and true character of the charges, but what I can say is that we are looking forward to the release of our treasurer. We are aware that he has no case to answer. He has not committed any crime, and he is innocent. In fact this is politically motivated and therefore we need a political solution. We have asked our inclusive government to come into play and make sure that Mr. Bennet is released," he said.

Chamisa blamed the Bennet charges on those he said are doing everything to jeopardize the new unity government.

"What you must understand is that we have certain elements who are not happy with the idea of an inclusive government for various reasons, and these forces are obviously the ones that are responsible for the mischief we are seeing because they would want to destabilize, they would want to jeopardize the inclusive government," Chamisa said.

He said the charges are politically motivated and the MDC was dealing with them politically.

"We are dealing with this matter politically, and in as much as the legal process may actually be followed, it would be just the question of going through the motion. But the answer is a political solution because these charges are politically motivated with political implications. And that is why I said we are dealing with the matter," Chamisa said.

Chamisa said the MDC was not consulted about possible charges against Mr. Bennet. He suggested that certain elements of the previous government might be trying to take advantage of the transitional nature of the unity government.

"I must say that this said inclusive government is beginning to take shape and form; it is beginning to locate its own position, and so not enough is being done in terms of gaining momentum, credibility, and strength of its own. So there are certain elements that are trying to utilize this transitional period to do all sorts mischievous acts. But I must say that it is a temporary phase. It is just what I will call some minor turbulence," he said.

Chamisa described as strange the feelings of the MDC working with Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF in a unity government arrangement having fought for so long against the Mugabe administration for democratic reforms.

"It feels strange, challenging, and of course the anxiety that you can't really have that absolute trust or confidence because of years to years tension and condescension. But I must say that at the end of the day it is Zimbabwe that will have to bring us together. We have to serve the suffering people, the dying people, the humanitarian challenges that are gripping this country, the economic hemorrhage, and more importantly we need to democratize our country," Chamisa said.

[Andrew1]

came across this by Joe Trippi who is a long-time American Democratic campaign worker and consultant.

Roy Bennett Tells Mugabe to "Stick It"

Roy Bennett remains in custody today, and authorities intend to hold him until at least March 4, it was said in an MDC press release. As Bennett is held on charges of 'terrorism,' Zimbabwe military police backed by Mugabe have tried to use him as a political pawn to ensure their own blanket amnesty, no doubt sensing that Mugabe's ZANU-PF party is bound to lose power in the near future. One of my colleagues who I've worked with in Africa and who I know and trust, said that when Roy Bennett was told that Mugabe's men were trying to use him to bargain for amnesty, he immediately said, "stick it."

I know Roy Bennett from my time in the region, and can say without a doubt that he is one of the most courageous men I've ever met, with an unending determination to fight for a safe and prosperous Zimbabwe.

Here's an excerpt of a press release published by the MDC today:

MDC Treasurer General, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, Roy Bennett has been remanded in custody to the 4th of March 2009. The Magistrate indicated that he would hear submission and arguments on whether or not to grant him bail tomorrow (Thursday 19 February 2009).

These delay tactics are merely intended to frustrate and harass Roy Bennett into submission. Roy Bennett remains steadfast that he will not be used as ransom and horse traded for any political convenience.

The inclusive government must give confidence to Zimbabweans that it respects citizens human rights. Roy Bennett must be released unconditionally immediately.

Remember, that what we're doing here is getting to the fearless people on the ground in Zimbabwe. In a country plagued by the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Mugabe regime, this kind of encouragement is exactly what is needed to keep Roy's message alive. The people of Zimbabwe won't let Mugabe's military cronies get away with the crimes they have committed, and neither will Roy. Help keep this story out there, pass the word along.

Also, a special thanks to David Shuster, host of MSNBC's "1600 Pennsylvania Ave." David has been instrumental in keeping this story on the air, reminding viewers of Roy's imprisonment every day live on the national news. For more from David, you can follow him on Twitter (@Shuster1600).

And as always, for more updates from me, come back here often and follow me on Twitter (@joetrippi).

[Comrade007]

Seven weeks into the new "power-sharing" government, and it is increasingly clear that MDC and Tsvangirai have their backs against the wall and that Mugabe and ZANU-PF have them in a total bind. They have been suckered, as they say. Consider the evidence:

• The Southern African Development Community — the sponsor of the unity government — assured the MDC outstanding matters would be speedily resolved once it was on board. Speedily? What a joke!!
• Instead, we have a large number of MDC activists that still remain behind bars
• Archaic and draconian media laws remain firmly entrenched and independent journalists are still prevented from practising their craft. Often branded as “terrorists”, they are unfairly denied accreditation.
• Arbitrary land seizures and the systematic repression of “unpatriotic” businesses and people continues unabated. Just yesterday Mugabe said that land reform will continue despite objections from his partners in the unity government to seizures of commercial farms which they say are hurting the country’s prospects for securing reconstruction funding.
  [* The restoration of individual rights has not amounted to much. The government has not changed its ways. Open dissent is still equated with treason.
• Patronage and corruption continue to thrive openly with those connected to Mugabe and his Zanu- PF party still get, whatever benefits the government might still be able to disperse.
• Judges, army officers and police bosses, reporters at state- owned media and other Mugabe- loyalists have been handsomely rewarded with free farms, equipment, fertiliser, seed and fuel.
• Cholera, which has killed more than 4000 people, remains a threat.
• High-density suburbs in the cities still have no running water.
• Regular power cuts have all but cut off communication with the outside world.
• Though supermarkets have managed to stock up on food, their prices remain beyond the reach of many.
• Unemployment runs at more than 90percent
• The United Nations estimates that 7 million of the country’s 9million people are in dire need of food aid.
• Hospitals and schools continue to operate on an ad hoc basis.

Not that Tsvangirai is naive. He knows the problems full well: “There are still outstanding issues that should have been resolved at the formation of this government,” he said. “We must acknowledge and address some of the elements that are obstructing the full implementation of the GPA (global political agreement)" he said at the opening of a recent retreat of ministers in Victoria Falls. He goes on to say that “donor countries and multi- lateral institutions are looking at the restoration of the rule of law as a key benchmark that must be achieved before they will fully engage with this inclusive government.".

As the saying goes: A leopard does not change its spots. Zimbabwe is going nowhere under this unity Government, albeit a little bit slower and now Mugabe has new-found legitimacy. How satisfying it must be for him to be called "Your Excellency" by the very people that have been torturted, beaten, intimidated, hounded and repressed by his henchmen for so many years.

[Comrade007]

This sounds very similar to the third force that was operarting behind the scenes to destabilise and thwart the peace process and transition to majority black rule in South Africa not so long ago:

Hardline ZANU-PF Ministers In Zimbabwe Said To Form Oppositional Group
By Blessing Zulu
Washington
09 April 2009


Zimbabwean cabinet ministers belonging to President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and former members of the Joint Operations Command of security agency chiefs are said to have joined forces in a shadowy group calling itself the Social Revolutionary Council designed to frustrate the aims of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, political sources say.

Members of the group are said to include Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono and the commanders of the army and air force, government and party sources said.

Mnangagwa, considered a potential successor to Mr. Mugabe as ZANU-PF chief and as that party's next presidential contender, declined to comment, as did Mutasa.

The Joint Operations Command, commonly referred to as the JOC, was said to have exerted significant influence over President Mugabe following his defeat by Mr. Tsvangirai in the first round of presidential voting on March 29, 2008, and to have coordinated the deadly wave of political violence that preceded the presidential runoff ballot on June 27. Mr. Tsvangirai withdrew from that runoff in protest of the violence against his supporters.

The Social Revolutionary Council is said to be behind the recent wave of invasions of white-owned commercial farms and the continued detention and harassment of officials and activists of Mr. Tsvangirai's formation of the Movement for Democratic Change.

Confirming there remain divisions within the unity government, President Mugabe this week said farm takeovers should continue, adding that elections could be held in two years.

Government and political sources said the members of the group lobbied Mr. Mugabe not to swear deputy agriculture minister-designate Roy Bennett into office.

The sources said Bennett’s son Charles has also been targeted by the group, which urged the police to arrest him for driving his father Feb. 13 to the airport outside Harare where he was arrested on weapons and security charges dating to 2006.

Sources in Tsvangirai's MDC formation central banker Gono tried to influence lawmakers from the majority party by offering them luxury vehicles. They said Tsvangirai Thursday ordered MDC MPs not to accept such vehicles following an incident in which MPs booed Deputy Prime Minister Thokozane Khupe when she urged them to turn down Gono's offer.

MDC sources said Tsvangirai has already sent a letter to Mr. Mugabe urging him to swear in Bennett and resolve issues still outstanding eight weeks after the government's launch.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, secretary general of Tsvangirai’s MDC formation, told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that residual hardline elements in ZANU-PF have stirring up controversy over Bennett, who is free on bail and still facing charges.

Pretoria-based political analyst Sydney Masamvu of the International Crisis Group said some elements in ZANU-PF are not comfortable with the new political dispensation in Harare.

[Comrade007]

Is it any surprise? I cannot help but continue to be most cynical about the whole excercise.

Cracks Appearing in Zimbabwe's Eight-Week-Old Unity Government
By Gibbs Dube, Blessing Zulu & Ntungamili Nkomo
Washington
10 April 2009


Just one week after Zimbabwe's cabinet gathered in retreat in the resort town of Victoria Falls seeking to achieve cohesion on a program of national recovery, indications are emerging of serious rifts within the unity government cobbled together just eight weeks ago.

A showdown was looming between President Robert Mugabe and his partners in the unity government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara of the two Movement for Democratic Change formations over Mr. Mugabe’s transfer of major portfolio powers from Communications Minister Nelson Chamisa of Tsvangirai's MDC grouping to Transport Minister Nicholas Goche of Mr. Mugabe's own ZANU-PF party.

The portfolio assignments include oversight of state communications including state-owned fixed-line phone company TelOne and Mobile provider NetOne, and ZimPost. Chamisa had clashed earlier with Information Minister Webster Shamu over those entities.

An outraged Nelson Chamisa told reporter Gibbs Dube of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the president’s move was illegal and violated the September 2008 power-sharing pact.

Elsewhere, the New York Times reported that senior officials in Mr. Mugabe's ZANU-PF party including ministers and members of the Joint Operations Command of security agency chiefs have organized a campaign of violence and intimidation intended to pressure Mr. Tsvangirai and his MDC to agree to a blanket amnesty for past crimes by senior officials.

The Times report said amnesty is particularly sought for perpetrators of political violence last year following the March elections in which it is estimated some 200 people died, mostly members of the MDC, which claimed a parliamentary majority after years in opposition.

As VOA reported Thursday, a number of top ZANU-PF and security officials have formed a shadowy group called the Social Revolutionary Council whose purpose, say ZANU-PF sources, is to frustrate government aims and ultimately destabilize the unity government.

The Times said Mr. Mugabe’s top lieutenants are using abductions, detentions and torture to press for amnesty in connection with events going back to the Gukurahundi campaign against loyalists of Joshua Nkomo in Matabeleland in the 1980s.

The Times quoted Didymus Mutasa, formerly minister of security, now minister of state in Mr. Mugabe’s office, as acknowledging top ZANU-PF officials might be worried about prosecution.

Responding to information from sources as to the existence of a high-level group opposed to Mr. Tsvangirai’s program, ZANU-PF Chief Parliamentary Whip Joram Gumbo dismissed the notion that ZANU-PF hardliners want to sabotage the unity government.

Researcher Glen Mpani at the Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in Cape Town, South Africa, said holding the MDC to ransom will be counter productive.

London-based political analyst Last Moyo told reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that tensions between ZANU-PF party and the MDC are putting the unity government in jeopardy.

[Comrade007]

"Never ever, ever will we ditch the ZimbabweDollar" they proclaimed in comradely unison with puffed up chests - the likes of Chinamasa, Gono, Goche, Mugabe..... on goes the list. Ditching the nation's currency would be tantamount to giving up sovereignty, they would argue. "Why should we do THAT", they would say. "We manage the economy responsibly, along with the national currency", they would crow.

Now the inevitable has occured: The Zimbabwe dollar is effectively dead, at least for now, as the most dramatic proof of how far one of Africa's star economies has fallen. What was once a well-managed economy now has suspended the official currency. Not that the writing was on the wall. The currency was used as toilet paper by the people of Zimbabwe in their hour of need. Can you see any red faces? Any shame on the part of the "stewards" of Zimbabwe, the "managers" of the ruling ZANU-PF and Mugabe? Any sense of what this really means; of what they have "accomplished"?

Of course not. Why would they? The self-enrichment continues unabated, and the ZANU-PF chiefs and chefs continue to profit handsomely while the people continue to suffer. Although the only move that any sane person could take to stabilise the Zimbabwe economy, to ZANU-PF and Mugabe the Zimbabwe dollar was ultimately just another convenient sacrifice that was to be had....

Zimbabwe Suspends Use of Own Currency
By VOA News
12 April 2009


Zimbabwe is suspending the use of its own currency, as the government tries to rebuild the country's shattered economy.

State media Sunday quoted Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma as saying the Zimbabwean dollar "will be out for at least a year" because, in his words, "there is nothing to support and hold its value."

Hyperinflation in 2007 and 2008 made Zimbabwe's currency virtually worthless despite the introduction of bigger and bigger notes, including a 10 trillion dollar bill.

Prices have stabilized or fallen since the government legalized the use of other currencies including the U.S. dollar in January.

Zimbabwean leaders have asked for billions of dollars in foreign aid to restore broken government services and revive the economy.

The country is suffering from food shortages and more than 90 percent unemployment.

Critics blame the situation on the policies of President Robert Mugabe, especially the seizure of white-owned commercial farms. Mr. Mugabe blames interference and sanctions by Western governments led by former colonial power Britain.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.