CRISIS REPORTS

DECEMBER 22, 2008 Fresh insights into the Zimbabwean situation

GONO REAPPOINTMENT ANGERS MDC

Opposition says extension of central banker’s term breaches deal on unity government.

By Jabu Shoko in

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai this week said the reappointment of Gideon Gono to the post of central bank governor was the most recent sign of lack of good faith by in the stalled power-sharing arrangements.

Last week, the president rewarded Gono, who has presided over one of the world’s highest inflation rates, with Credit: Lazele another five-year term as head of the Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and President Robert Mugabe stand for the , RBZ, with national anthem during the launch of the monetary policy statement in Harare. Picture taken 30/07/08 effect from December 1. The reappointment of Gono Gono introduced new high The re-appointment was announced to the post of central bank denomination currency. on state television on November 25, much to the chagrin of the opposition governor is the most recent Tsvangirai, leader of the main faction Movement for Democratic Change, sign of lack of good faith of the MDC, said in a statement to MDC, and ordinary Zimbabweans who by Robert Mugabe in the IWPR, “This individual has been the are battling to survive in a country stalled power-sharing architect of Zimbabwe’s economic where inflation is officially at 231 arrangements — opposition collapse and has blatantly plundered million per cent and unofficially over the national treasury to fund ZANU-PF five billion per cent. On December 1, leader Morgan Tsvangirai and its elite.

NEWS IN BRIEF Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe However, the World Health Her colleagues Broderick Takawira has said that there was “no cholera” in Organisation, WHO, reported on and Pascal Gonzo were also abducted in his country, contradicting reports from December 10 that the disease was a separate incident. international health officials of a rising continuing to spread. Opposition party the Movement for death toll. According to WHO, 774 people have Democratic Change, MDC, said that 18 Mugabe said in a speech broadcast died and 15,000 are believed to be party activists have been abducted by on national television that doctors in infected. unknown gunmen in the last few weeks. Zimbabwe had overcome the disease. Meanwhile, a High Court judge has South African party the African “I am happy we are being assisted by ordered police to search for a human National Congress, ANC, has voiced its others and we have arrested cholera,” rights campaigner who was reportedly concern about the reports of the the president said in his December 11 abducted from her home last week. abductions of the human rights workers. address, in which he also dismissed Police have denied holding Jestina “Every effort should be made to western pressure on him to leave office. Mukoko, director of the Zimbabwe establish where these individuals are, “Now that there is no cholera there is Peace Project, who disappeared on and that they are safe,” said ANC no case for war,” he said. December 3. spokesperson Jessie Duarte.

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“Surely, if Mr Mugabe was genuine in dollars has reportedly been spent by concentrate on its main function of his desire to address the problems Gono to procure tractors and other inflation control and financial sector facing the country he would not farming implements from China for stability with effect from January 2009. breach the [power-sharing] agreement doling out to ZANU-PF supporters. by making any senior appointments “As I accept this extended call for unilaterally.” Political analyst Mutumwa Mawere, national duty, I pledge to maintain a living in exile in South Africa after his very tight monetary policy stance, Zimbabwean business empire was anchored on the comprehensive forcibly seized by Mugabe, said it was realignment and streamlining of the unfortunate that Zimbabweans would reserve bank’s functions in a manner If Mr Mugabe was genuine have to endure another five years of that leaves monetary authorities with in his desire to address the the political manipulation at which core responsibilities of inflation problems facing the Gono has proved to be a master. targeting, management of the country, he would not national payment systems and “During his term, he has successfully safeguarding financial sector breach the power-sharing been able to divert attention from the stability,” he said. agreement by making any core source of the political and senior appointments economic crisis by manufacturing unilaterally — Tsvangirai enemies of the state. His tenure has witnessed the centralisation of Gono is the best man for executive power and the emergence of the RBZ as the super state,” said the job. We feel he knows Mawere. what he is doing — hence The MDC leader said since his party the extension of his term. has been allocated the finance He has done great service portfolio in the envisaged coalition to the nation, especially the government, he expected Mugabe to The controversial Gono financing of government consult the opposition in the stands accused by the appointment of a governor for the projects such as land central bank, which the MDC blames opposition of fuelling the reform — Finance Minister for the prevailing banking crisis in rampant inflation by Samuel Mbengegwi Zimbabwe. wantonly printing money to fund Mugabe’s ZANU-PF The controversial Gono, appointed government and to finance governor of the RBZ in 2003 when the country first experienced severe cash quasi-fiscal activities in aid Finance Minister Samuel Mbengegwi, shortages, stands accused by the of the regime who announced Gono’s re- opposition of fuelling the rampant appointment, said, “He is the best man inflation by wantonly printing money to for the job. We feel he knows what he fund Mugabe’s ZANU-PF government is doing — hence the extension of his and to finance quasi-fiscal activities in term. He has done great service to the aid of the regime. Mawere charged that Gono was a nation, especially the financing of man preoccupied with blaming others government projects such as land Some of the foreign currency bought and yet through his own actions reform.” by the central bank from illegal foreign Zimbabwe has had to endure the currency dealers has allegedly been worst economic policies and Mbengegwi said it was unfair to blame channelled towards financing programmes imaginable. Gono for all Zimbabwe’s woes, “The Mugabe’s state security agents who, problems of this country are not since the emergence of the MDC, On November 26, barely a day after because of the governor but it is the have been accused of gross human his re-appointment, Gono issued an sanctions imposed by America, the rights abuses against opposition acceptance speech in which he British and the West. Gono has been supporters. pledged to refocus the RBZ by very innovative to beat the sanctions. sticking to the mandate of the central He has done an excellent job as far as Gono is also claimed to have used bank. ZANU-PF and government are proceeds from printing money to buy concerned.” US dollars to fund, among other Gono said he would no longer dabble projects, Mugabe’s controversial land in quasi-financial activists, nor finance Jabu Shoko is the pseudonym of an reforms. More than 400 million US ZANU-PF. The central bank would IWPR reporter in Zimbabwe.

2 DECEMBER 22, 2008 ZIMBABWE CRISIS REPORTS MUGABE ALLIES SQUASH SUCCESSION RUMOURS

Party dismisses suggestions of leadership change at upcoming annual conference, as succession battle heats up.

By Jabu Shoko in Harare

ZANU-PF has sought to weaken a party faction opposed to President Robert Mugabe and his heir apparent in the run up to its annual conference.

But ruling party officials have told IWPR that the succession issue will not be on the agenda of next week’s event. Credit: Lazele In six of the country’s ten provinces, ZANU-PF secretary for legal affairs at a local hotel the party leadership has been in Harare. Picture taken 1/1/2007 completely overhauled, with those opposed to 84-year-old Mugabe’s continued rule or the faction headed “We don’t expect much except the Ernest Mudzengi, a Harare-based by his chosen successor facing usual praise singing in which leaders political analyst, described the event expulsion or being sidelined. declare their loyalty to Mugabe so that as a yearly ZANU-PF routine for party he rules them forever until amen.” fanatics to endorse the continued misrule of the country and party by geriatrics. “I don’t expect anyone to stand up and say Mugabe must go. Ruling party officials say Emmerson Mnangagwa, that the succession issue minister of housing and will not be on the agenda amenities as well as the at ZANU-PF’s annual party’s secretary for legal We don’t expect much conference affairs, is touted as except the usual praise- Mugabe’s heir apparent in singing in which leaders the event that the ageing declare their loyalty to Emmerson Mnangagwagwa, minister Zimbabwean leader decides Mugabe so that he rules of housing and amenities as well as to call it quits them forever until amen — the party’s secretary for legal affairs, is Useni Sibanda, coordinator touted as Mugabe’s heir apparent in of the Christian Alliance of the event that the ageing Zimbabwean leader decides to call it quits. Zimbabwe The conference, from December 10 to The conference is an “annual talk shop 13, will be held in Bindura, a district in that will be characterised by wining which a number of opposition and dining while the rest of the country Movement for Democratic Change, They are happy to continue the misery is facing a severe humanitarian crisis MDC, supporters were killed in the of the country. It will be the usual coupled by the cholera epidemic”, run-up to the controversial March gigantic feast that has come to be said Useni Sibanda, coordinator of the presidential election and presidential associated with ZANU-PF,” said Christian Alliance of Zimbabwe. run-off in June. Mudzengi.

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ZANU-PF is not known to spare costs For instance, in Masvingo provincial Elections in the faction-riddled in feeding its party faithful, he added. elections held last week, office bearers Bulawayo province have been suspected to be linked to the Mujuru complicated by an attempt by most of Several million US dollars has camp were routed in what insiders the provincial executive to revive PF allegedly been budgeted for the claim was a bid to strategically ZAPU, a liberation movement conference, while recipients of farms position politicians with connections to swallowed by ZANU-PF in the 1980s. doled out by Mugabe under his Mnangagwa. Current chairperson McCloud Tshawe controversial land reform programme will not be seeking re-election. have donated livestock, grain and Mnangagwa is credited with master- Politicians in Bulawayo heavily linked cash to feed about 10,000 people minding Mugabe’s violent re-election to war veteran leader Jabulani drawn from the country’s 10 provinces. in June this year in a one-man Sibanda, who is also thought to be About 200 cattle are set for slaughter. presidential run-off after opposition close to Mngangwa, are expected to leader Morgan Tsvangirai opted out, sweep to victory. citing the horrendous violence which killed more than 100 MDC supporters. I don’t expect anyone to stand up and say Mugabe ZANU-PF has also completed The conference will run must go. They are happy to restructuring in the Midlands, under the theme, ‘Let us continue the misery of the Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces, where stand united in defence of country. It will be the usual pro-Mnangagwa people have been the party and our gigantic feast that has elevated to powerful and influential revolution’ — Ephraim come to be associated with positions. Masawi, ZANU-PF deputy ZANU-PF — Harare-based secretary for information political analyst Mudzengi However, in Mashonaland East, Ray Kaukonde, a wealthy ZANU-PF politician perceived to be aligned to the Mujuru camp and suspected to be behind moves to oust Mugabe, has In Matabeleland South, elections are Previous ZANU-PF gatherings have in retained his party chairmanship, expected at the weekend after being the past been dogged by allegations despite spirited efforts by the cancelled last week because of the of delegates stealing food. Relief Mnangagwa camp to oust him. deadly cholera outbreak sweeping the agencies estimate that more than 5.1 country. million Zimbabweans out of a In Manicaland, Mike Madiro has population of 12 million people are in made a dramatic comeback after There is wild speculation of a change urgent need of food handouts. nearly four years in the political of leadership at the conference in wilderness, clinching the Bindura, but Ephraim Masawi, the The situation has been compounded by chairmanship in the province, which ZANU-PF deputy secretary for a cholera epidemic which independent was won by the MDC in the March information, who confirmed the health officials say has killed at least 3, 2008 elections. agenda for the annual gathering has 000. There are also fears of a grim been set, dismissed the reports, harvest next year due to the country’s ill Madiro was suspended in 2004 over alleging mere media speculation. preparedness for the 2008/09 planting what has come to be known as the season, owing to shortages of fertiliser, Tsholotsho Debacle, when politicians, Masawi said the election of new seeds and farming inputs. including Madiro and then- leaders was the preserve of the party’s information minister (now National People’s Congress, which is Party insiders said the leadership was independent member of parliament) only held every five years; the next not worried about the humanitarian called a meeting to one is due in 2010. crisis as it had its eyes firmly on the change the party’s rules, by having conference. They said the provincial chairpersons elect the “The ZANU-PF annual national restructuring of the party’s provincial party leader who would become the conference is not going to tackle a leadership in elections prior to the country’s president. change of leadership in the party. The conference was critical. issue of the succession is not on the In Mashonaland Central, former agenda,” he said. The conference will There has been an ongoing fight for government minister Chen run under the theme “Let us stand political turf in ZANU-PF as the Chimutengwende, seen as pro-Mujuru, united in defence of the party and our Mnangagwa faction and those backing has made way for politician Dick revolution”. retired army general Solomon Mujuru, Mafios, believed to be pro- husband of Vice-President Joice Mnangagwa, as provincial Jabu Shoko is the pseudonym of an Mujuru, battle to succeed Mugabe. chairperson. IWPR journalist in Zimbabwe.

4 DECEMBER 22, 2008 ZIMBABWE CRISIS REPORTS SOLDIERS’ PROTESTS ROCK HARARE

Military experts warn riots The detachment of troops was from Military experts are warning the riots precursor to mutiny, while Cranborne Barracks and accused the are a precursor to mutiny, while pro- pro-government analysts street foreign currency dealers of government analysts say the consorting with the central bank to disturbances were just a simple case insist they’re simply vandalise the economy. of indiscipline within the ranks. indiscipline within ranks. Zimbabwe’s bankrupt central bank Army sources said the military courts By Chipo Sithole in Harare regularly raises foreign currency from are currently overwhelmed with cases the black market and relies on an related to indiscipline in the rank-and- informal network of street traders. file of the army as rebellious troops Zimbabwe is facing widespread protest against mounting hardships. protests by discontented soldiers The riots on December 1 were The troops on December 1 were also feeling the heat of the country’s repulsed by the military police, objecting to appalling conditions in the collapsing economy. resulting in the death of “two army barracks, where they complain of miscreants”, according to the army. being forced to subsist on a diet of the Some analysts are forecasting that staple sadza (a maize meal mush) and continuing army revolts and economic Security sources say Zimbabwe’s army beans only. instability could force President Robert is seriously considering a curfew and Mugabe to share power with the has maintained a heavy deployment of Dozens of anti-riot and military police opposition, putting the country’s military police in the city centre. have taken up positions around the shattered economy on the road to city centre after fresh threats by labour recovery. “We need to take appropriate leaders to march to the central bank to measures to counter their actions demand the complete removal of The rising groundswell of anger within effectively,” said a military spokesman. withdrawal limits, imposed to ration the army over poor salaries and cash scarce cash supplies. shortages poses a serious threat to Mugabe, who has traditionally relied Tensions are mounting as civilians on the loyalty of the army to keep the Army protests hit a supporting the soldiers’ demands join opposition in check. the demonstrations; many hurled rocks crescendo in December at anti-riot and military police troops Dozens of soldiers have been taking to when over 100 soldiers during the December 1 protests. the streets of Harare since November emerged from banking 27, clashing with anti-riot and military halls in the city centre The scene then was reminiscent of police deployed in the city centre to empty-handed after cash acts of civil disobedience in 1999 in counter the protests. There have been Zimbabwe’s capital sparked by food sporadic exchanges of gunfire in the had run out due to shortages that spread like wildfire capital as dissident soldiers and rationing through this impoverished nation of military police clash. 11.8 million people.

Army protests hit a crescendo on Zimbabwe, once a breadbasket of December 1 when over 100 soldiers, A pact signed by the military and southern Africa, is now among the dressed in full military fatigues, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono poorest countries in the region, and emerged from banking halls in the city in November set up a scheme where has been struggling to establish centre empty-handed after cash had soldiers could access cash weekly democracy since disputed elections run out due to rationing. from army barracks. However, soldiers held in March. say the facility is being abused by top They first attacked the Market Square generals, who are making hefty The bloody rebellion of soldiers could bus terminus in downtown Harare, withdrawals daily, leaving the rank- lead to Mugabe’s ousting, warned which is notorious for illegal foreign and-file in the army with nothing. Harare-based political commentator currency dealings, assaulting foreign Ronald Shumba. currency dealers and seizing cash Government regulations only permit from them to demand “our money”. withdrawals from banks of 500,000 “It’s a situation becoming rapidly Zimbabwe dollars a day, hardly explosive,” he said. “This is a sign of a Then they swept across the city, enough for a single fare on public deep-seated problem in the army — in looting and vandalising shops. transport. Mugabe’s regime, in fact.”

DECEMBER 22, 2008 5 THE INSTITUTE FOR WAR AND PEACE REPORTING

An official police spokesman tried to He was unwilling to be identified for He said it was just a symptom of downplay the near mutiny, claiming it fear of reprisal. Mugabe’s failure to reward the soldiers was a simple case of “theft and with privileges, including generous robbery”. is spreading poverty, as payouts, as the economy collapses even basic goods become that is responsible for the protests. Some analysts said the protests unaffordable. Supermarket trolleys lie herald the beginning of the end for idle as few can afford to buy more “He is fast losing the support of his Mugabe, 84, who is beginning to lose than a handful of goods. most reliable supporters, but the support of powerful factions in his suggesting it’s a precursor to a coup is own party and the increasingly Zimbabwe’s official inflation rate was pie in the sky,” he said. disaffected army, police and security 231 million per cent in July but forces. independent economists and retailers However, Professor Heneri Dzinotyiwei, say it is now above quintillion per cent an opposition deputy who is also a Mugabe, who has been in power for and picking up speed. lecturer at the , 28 years, has ruled with fear and said Mugabe faced trouble from his patronage. But now a combination of army, which used to be considered an unprecedented economic collapse solidly loyal to the president. and growing opposition within his I think it’s the end-game. security forces and the ruling ZANU- Things have reached a “I think to a large extent it is an PF party present the clearest threats to critical point — a banking indication of the intensity of frustration his rule. analyst in the army,” he said. “As to what might happen? It depends on how the There is palpable anger in the police banking community in collaboration and army over low salaries and the with armed forces are able to contain fast-track promotions of ZANU-PF The crisis has hit soldiers hard, who earn this. But you can’t blame the loyalists and veterans of the guerrilla an equivalent of 3 US dollars per month. soldiers.” war that ended white rule in 1980, according to a private in the army. Small-scale mutinies have been A banking analyst who declined to reported, but despite Mugabe’s be named said Mugabe was “Morale in the army has hit rock precarious support in the army and committing regime change himself bottom,” he said. “Everyone is police, analysts say a military coup or through his disastrous economic complaining about the increasing widespread revolt are unlikely. policies, now manifested in the hardships. It would seem the majority military protests. are blaming President Mugabe himself Professor Jonathan Moyo, Mugabe’s for causing the hardships. former information minister and “I think it’s the end-game,” he said. currently an independent member of “Things have reached a critical point.” “They think it’s better for him to share parliament, dismissed suggestions power with the opposition to rescue that the revolt in the security forces Chipo Sithole is the pseudonym of an the economy.” opened the possibility of a coup. IWPR journalist in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Crisis Report is information provision, It also contributes to the an initiative of IWPR-Africa’s capacity building and development of regional policy, Zimbabwe Programme. dissemination and distribution. promotes dialogue and builds This programme promotes bridges within the region. It also democratization and good The key purpose is to increase raises the Africa wide and governance with Southern Africa awareness in the Southern African international profile of Zimbabwe and contributes to the region of the Zimbabwean in the context of the region. development of a culture of situation and the implications for Importantly it also builds the skills human rights and the rule of law. regional peace, security and and capacity of the media to Focusing on Zimbabwe the economic development. reliably and accurately report programme has three core political transition, governance and components — human rights issues.

The programme is managed by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting — Africa. For further details go to www.iwpr.net

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