It looks like an uncontested Mugabe victory to me!
One of the few good things to come from the recent political settlement in Zimbabwe is that the media has greater access to the country. We hope they will find something positive to report on in the months ahead, though history is against them. Since the
How to evaporate R300m and other stories
Just how much does Zimbabwe need? Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai ‘guessed’ his country will absorb around $5bn for its mid-term recovery. There’s no doubt South Africa will have to provide a large slice of this cash. When asked what South African taxpayers would contribute, caretaker President Kgalema Motlanthe simply shrugged – saying “we are acting as good neighbours…” A country that stood by through years of human rights violations is suddenly all too happy to dig into its coffers to fix the mess!
At a recent media conference in Cape Town Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe would have to focus on restoring basic services such as education and healthcare. But monetary aid will come to naught if we can’t get it past the politicians to the intended recipients. Rumours surfaced in the government-owned Herald newspaper recently that nine politicians (two from Zanu-PF and the balance from the MDC) misappropriated some of the fertiliser and seed sent as part of South Africa’s R300m agricultural aid package. If memory serves, South Africa sent this aid despite the conditions for its release not being met. They were only supposed to send the money after a political settlement had been reached.
It’s going to be difficult to control huge amounts of foreign currency in a country where poverty is rife, systems are strained and government is at war with itself. At least the new guard can agree on something. They don’t care where the money comes from and they’re adamant yesterday’s blunders shouldn’t be held against them. “This is a new administration. It’s a clean pair of hands,” said MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa.
Top MDC politicians languishing in jail
Will the unity government succeed? It’s started on the back foot as pro-Mugabe ministries continue to wield their muscle. MDC politician Roy Bennett, who was to be sworn in as deputy minister of agriculture, remains in jail weeks after the settlement was reached. He has not been able to pay his bail and secure his release due to continued challenges by the state attorneys. Imprisoned since 13 February, Bennett will have to wait another seven days as clause 121 of the Zimbabwe constitution comes into play. He’s not the only ‘political’ prisoner locked up in Zimbabwe’s jails. Numerous other activists who were supposed to be released on the eve of the power sharing deal still remain incarcerated. What a difference a border makes. In Zimbabwe they cannot get ‘innocent’ politicians out of jail, while in South Africa we can’t keep ‘guilty’ politicians inside.
The MDC believes Zanu-PF could be playing games in an attempt to scupper the newly formed government; but it’s more likely these prisoners will be used as pawns by senior military and police who want “immunity from prosecution for past atrocities.” And here’s the real problem for Zimbabwe. The unity government was foisted on the country after continued SADC-region pressure. Mugabe remains the President despite his party coming second at the polls. And Zanu-PF’s top brass are at pains to keep the privileged positions they’ve held for decades.
Do you like your new car?
Mugabe is already taking steps to consolidate his power. He’s flooding the new government with party loyalists. The first step was to add more ministers to an already bloated government. Approximately 30 additional ministerial posts were created, including five new ministers of state and 20 deputy ministers. Once the 10 provincial governors are announced Zimbabwe will boast 61 ministers, the most bloated executive ever. It wouldn’t be so bad if these ministers were there for the people of Zimbabwe. But instead of ordering food, unconfirmed reports reveal these ministers will receive new luxury vehicles and furniture to the tune of several million dollars. And there’s more... In another sign that the new MDC faction has little control over Zimbabwe’s government affairs, Mugabe announced the unilateral appointment of general secretaries to each ministry recently. These appointments comprise mostly Zanu-PF supporters.
The lack of political cohesion is going to hamper efforts to turn Zimbabwe around. Even with politicians work together its people are in for another decade of suffering. The solution – according to Zimbabwe’s agricultural union (TAU SA) president, Ben Marais – is to go back to the basics. He says: “If Zimbabwe would be serious about rebuilding their economy, it has to resettle the banned farmers on their land, and also give them funding to rebuild their farms, so that agriculture once again can play a key role in the Zimbabwean economy.”
Editor’s thoughts:
Despite securing a majority in last year’s elections the MDC remains the underdog in the Zimbabwean political landscape. At each impasse Morgan Tsvangirai has been forced to step down and hand ‘victory’ to the opposition. 11-months down the line the country looks as ill-prepared to govern as ever. Did South Africa help Zimbabwe by forcing this political settlement on them? Add your comment below, or send it to gareth@fanews.co.za
