CRISIS REPORTS

Issue 18 ■ November 2007 Fresh insights into the Zimbabwean situation

MUGABE OUTMANOEUVRES RULING PARTY OPPONENTS

President’s rivals caught flatfooted over ZANU-PF candidature for presidential poll.

By Joseph Sithole in Harare

President appears to have outwitted ZANU-PF rivals seeking to oust him from power, but remains at a loss as to how to turn around the country’s collapsing economy.

The ZANU-PF politburo has all but endorsed Mugabe as its sole party candidate for a presidential election to be held jointly with a parliamentary

poll early next year, beating back any Lazele Credit: challengers for the post. Robert Mugabe gives a speech at National Heroes Acre, Harare. Picture taken July 18.

Last December, he failed to get endorsement for a plan to extend his Movemnt for Democratic Change, Mugabe’s bid to extend his term in term of office by two years to 2010 at MDC, which accused Mugabe of office. Instead, it resolved to reduce the Goromonzi People’s Conference, trying to extend his term of office the term of the current parliament by where he faced opposition from a because he was afraid of defeat at the two years, to run concurrently with the ZANU-PF faction led by retired army polls. presidential term, starting next year. A general Solomon Mujuru. The proposal special ZANU-PF congress in was also fiercely attacked by civil A ZANU-PF central committee meeting December is scheduled to decide who society organisations and the on March 30 again failed to endorse should be the ruling party’s candidate,

NEWS IN BRIEF

■ After failing to stop President ■ The pressure group Women of ■ The British parliament and the Robert Mugabe from attending the Zimbabwe Arise, WOZA, has blamed MDC are calling for an investigation European Union’s Africa Summit in police for the death of founding into possible breaches of EU financial Portugal next month, Britain is member and activist Maria Moyo, 57, sanctions against Zimbabwe’s ruling reportedly lobbying Nordic countries who died on November 6 from elite by Barclays Bank. to put human rights abuses and state- pneumonia. WOZA says her condition sponsored violence in Zimbabwe on worsened after she was tortured in ■ An alarming 25,000 Zimbabwean the summit agenda. police custody. schoolteachers — unhappy at poor pay and working conditions — have ■ Negotiators from Zimbabwe’s ■ The MDC faction led by Morgan left the country since January. opposition Movement for Democratic Tsvangirai maintains that Lucia According to the Progressive Teachers Change, MDC, and the governing Matibenga has been removed from her Union of Zimbabwe, 10,000 have left ZANU-PF have agreed on provisions former position as head of the Women’s in the last three months alone despite protecting media freedom in a draft Assembly. However Matibenga refuses the government raising their salaries constitution that is now in the hands to recognise her removal or the along with those of other public of the country’s political leaders. selection of a replacement. servants in October.

NOVEMBER 2007 ■ 1 THE INSTITUTE FOR WAR AND PEACE REPORTING but Mugabe has managed to head off president from six to five year — which serious challenge, there was no sign any challenge to his candidature. means there will be no debate of the that the root cause of all the anger presidential candidate. against Mugabe’s leadership — a For some time now, Mugabe has deftly collapsing economy — was turned the tables against the enemy Mugabe’s opponents were caught responding positively to his political within. He recently mobilised alleged literally flatfooted, as two weeks ago victories. veterans of Zimbabwe’s independence ZANU-PF spokesperson Nathan war, led by the abrasive Jabulani Shamuyarira had told the party “If Mugabe could confide in anyone,” Sibanda, who have been criss- mouthpiece, The Voice, that all said the analyst, “I have no doubt he crossing the country in support of positions in the presidium would be would confess that the economy was Mugabe’s candidacy at the party’s contested. But last week, Mugabe his greatest nemesis. He can see only special congress in December. loyalists changed tack, saying there spurts of sunlight in a bitterly cold Despite the resentment Sibanda has would be no competition since winter night. While he has made provoked among senior members of according to the ZANU-PF mincemeat of his political opponents, the party, especially in the two constitution, the first secretary of the in fact beating them before the game Matabeleland provinces, he appears party is automatically the presidential has started, the economy remains his to enjoy Mugabe’s tacit backing. candidate. most stubborn challenge against which he doesn’t appear to have a “What this means is that anybody who trick to play.” Mugabe has deftly turned raises the issue of a presidential the tables against possible candidate other than Mugabe would be declared out of order,” said a senior Economic problems “should rivals within ZANU-PF. ZANU-PF official in Harare. “Those have been a godsend for three agenda items mean the fireworks any competent opposition that people were expecting from the party” — analyst. Formerly the provincial chairman for likes of Mujuru challenging Mugabe Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest are dead and buried. Only divine city and an MDC stronghold, Sibanda intervention can change that reality.” was suspended from the party in 2004 The analyst said Mugabe had given and expelled two years later for A University of Zimbabwe lecturer in Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono “indiscipline”, specifically for attending politics said he was surprised by the carte blanche to print money in the a meeting opposing the accession to ease with which Mugabe outwitted hope of improving the supply side of the vice-presidency of , opponents within his party. “He won the economy. “They are hoping that wife of the general. without breaking a sweat against dire increased production might shore up predictions that the Mujuru camp the economy,” he said. “But that is a The war veterans are aligned with would want to build on the victories big ‘if’ because it all depends on the Rural Housing Minister Emmerson they scored in Goromonzi against inputs available and the rains, over Mnangagwa, a bitter rival of Mujuru, [extending Mugabe’s term to] 2010 which they have no control. and seen by many as a favourite of the and against Mugabe’s automatic president. endorsement in March,” he said. “It’s “Mugabe scored a lot of points against an unbelievable anticlimax.” George Bush at the recent UN General The women’s and youth branches of Assembly in New York. He is also ZANU PF have already expressed their However, he said the party might have winning his latest spat with British backing for Mugabe. The two groups are alienated significant constituencies in prime minister Gordon Brown over his led respectively by Gender and Women’s Matabeleland and Manicaland, where presence at the forthcoming European Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri and senior party leaders are against the Union-Africa Summit in Lisbon. He has Youth Minister , both readmission of Sibanda into the party. all of Africa in his pocket. Back home, of them firmly in the pro-Mugabe camp. Most senior party leaders in the two the MDC is all but beaten. provinces have boycotted Sibanda’s With the key grassroots constituencies solidarity marches, while Mnangagwa “Yet with inflation raging at 8,000 per safely in his pocket, Mugabe turned claims Sibanda has appealed against cent and unemployment nearly 80 per on his senior opponents in the party. his suspension, and in any case was cent, plus pervasive shortages of all At the party’s ordinary session of the doing work for a welfare organisation basic commodities, the economy central committee on October 26, as leader of the war veterans. doesn’t appear to respond positively to Mnangagwa, who is also the party’s Mugabe’s political fortunes. That secretary for legal affairs, said the Another analyst noted a bigger irony in should have been a godsend for any special congress in December would the whole drama. He said while competent opposition party.” only discuss agricultural mechanisation Mugabe had made “mincemeat” of his and the harmonisation of elections, opponents in the party and the Joseph Sithole is the pseudonym of an and ratify a reduced term for the opposition was too weak to mount any IWPR journalist in Zimbabwe. ■

2 ■ ISSUE 18 ZIMBABWE CRISIS REPORTS LIFE-SAVING DRUGS OUT OF REACH FOR MOST

Many seriously ill patients can no longer afford prescription charges.

By Nonthando Bhebhe in Harare

As the prices of drugs and healthcare continue to soar to astronomical levels, many Zimbabweans with life- threatening conditions are going without the treatment they need.

Spending an afternoon at one of Harare’s busiest pharmacies is heartbreaking, as patient after patient walks in and out without collection their prescription because they just Lazele Credit: can’t afford it. A woman gets free healthcare during AIDS Expo 2007 in Harare. Picture taken July 13.

Barely able to stand without leaning against the wall, Martin Sibanda, a self- diabetes. A month’s supply of Sibanda stares blankly at the employed welder, waits anxiously for nifedipine to treat hypertension costs pharmacist and then turns to his wife. the pharmacist to give him the prices an average of five million ZWD; drugs He tells her that they will just have to of the five drugs that were prescribed for diabetes go for about six million go back home and pray for God’s to him at a clinic close to his home in ZWD and ulcer medication costs ten healing. Harare’s poorest suburb, Mbare. million ZWD. His predicament mirrors that of millions After a two-minute wait, the pharmacist of other Zimbabweans suffering as a hands him a piece of paper with the result of a collapsing public health total cost of the drugs. He looks at the Sibanda’s pharmacy bill is system. paper and as if in slow motion, he equivalent to twice his shifts his gaze to the pharmacist, who monthly salary. Zimbabwe’s health service used to be repeats the figure and asks if he the marvel of the southern African should supply the drugs. subcontinent, with the government’s vision of “Health for All by 2000” almost Sibanda whispers the figure and In addition, Sibanda has developed a within reach. By the turn of the shakes his head in bewilderment, “My chest infection and was prescribed an millennium, each of the nine rural son, are you saying 28 million? antibiotic and cough mixture. The provinces had a well equipped referral [Zimbabwean dollars, ZWD — 28 US antibiotic erythromycin costs about 2.5 hospital. District clinics were dollars at the black market rate] Did I million ZWD and the cough mixture 4.5 complemented superbly by mission hear you right? Please check again, million ZWD. hospitals scattered all over the country. you must be mistaken.” With a teacher’s monthly salary at 14 However, a declining economic But it is not an error. It is the cost of million ZWD a month as of October — situation attributed to government’s three life-prolonging drugs for his two a figure still below the official poverty ruinous policies has seen the situation chronic illnesses, and two others for a line which was set at 16.7 million deteriorate to pre-independence levels. new infection. ZWD in August — Sibanda’s pharmacy bill of 28 million ZWD is Zimbabwe is going through a severe Sibanda suffers from high blood way beyond the reach of the majority economic crisis, with serious fuel and pressure, stomach ulcers, and of Zimbabweans. food shortages which are blamed on

NOVEMBER 2007 ■ 3 THE INSTITUTE FOR WAR AND PEACE REPORTING recurring droughts as well as the waiting for my death. My condition is proper health care. I have to government’s fast-track land getting worse every day and I just develop a hard skin to deal with the redistribution programme, which has don’t know anywhere to turn to,” he situation in Zimbabwe. My heart disrupted agricultural production and said. bleeds every single time when a slashed export earnings. patient walks out without her Asked why he does not go to any of medication,” he said. This has taken its toll on the health the government hospitals, Sibanda service. Now drugs are scarce, those smiled and said, “Government “You can almost feel or even touch the which are available are exorbitantly hospitals are now deathbeds — helplessness in people. I am sure if we priced, medical equipment is people are referred there to die. There were to do a proper survey, we will dilapidated and there are persistent is no medication and they are filthy find that hundreds of people have died strikes over poor salaries on offer to and you can almost smell death as when they should not have. The health workers. you enter their buildings. So, no, government has to address this issue; thanks — I would rather be with my otherwise, it is presiding over a dying loved ones and die surrounded by and hungry nation.” love.” Those who can afford it Many of those worst affected by the The high costs of medical care are rising prices of drugs are those with have turned to private affecting everyone, including those HIV. medical practitioners. with medical insurance, who still have to meet more than half of the medical costs. HIV-infected people have to In recent years, those who can afford it Commonly prescribed drugs are “choose between feeding have been forced to turn to private unaffordable to most. For example, and educating their kids or medical practitioners for services no Ranferon — which is recommended longer offered by government clinics for pregnant women to increase taking ARVs” — Lynde and hospitals. However, as private circulation and avoid birth Francis of The Centre. hospitals now demand an upfront cash complications — now costs more than deposit of 50 million ZWD before 13 million ZWD. admission, this is out of the reach of In a country with the world’s fourth most people. highest rate of HIV infection, many infected people simply cannot afford Touched by Sibanda’s plight, IWPR “I tell you many people are the antiretroviral, ARV, drugs they sought an interview with him. He dying in silence without need, said Lynde Francis, who runs seemed to have resigned himself to medication and proper The Centre — an HIV/AIDS non- whatever fate awaited him. health care” — pharmacist. governmental organisation with 4,500 registered clients. When IWPR visited his home four days later, his condition seemed to have “People are giving up [taking their] worsened and his breathing was One pharmacist told IWPR that drugs — they have to choose between strained. He tried to sit up on his small although he and his colleagues feeding and educating their kids or wooden bed, but this made breathing understood that most Zimbabweans taking ARVs,” she said. “It’s becoming more difficult. can no longer afford medication, there more of a struggle to get the basic was nothing they could do because necessities. ARVs are way down on “I am in a lot of pain. If I had money, I they have to sell drugs at profit. their list of priorities.” would seek private medical care or buy those drugs I was prescribed. “I tell you many people are dying in Nonthando Bhebhe is the pseudonym But I have nothing and I’m now silence without medication and of an IWPR journalist in Zimbabwe. ■

4 ■ ISSUE 18 ZIMBABWE CRISIS REPORTS MDC HIT BY MORE RUMBLINGS OF DISCONTENT

Some disgruntled members are even calling for a new party to be formed.

By Meshack Ndodana in Harare

The largest faction in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, could split following a row over ’s sacking of a senior female party official, say analysts.

At a crisis meeting on November 3, the MDC’s national executive refused to endorse the decision of its leader to replace the head of the powerful Women’s Assembly, Lucia Matibenga, Credit: Lazele Credit: with — the wife of Theresa Makone, the new chairperson of the MDC women assemly, speaks to the Tsvangirai’s friend and financier, Ian press at party headquarters. Picture taken November 10. Makone.

“This is a fatal case of poor judgement Strong objections to Matibenga’ Since then, Tsvangirai has headed the on the part of Tsvangirai,” said a replacement prompted the national bigger faction, the other MDC, which University of Zimbabwe political executive to defer the matter to took part in the Senate vote, led by scientist who has monitored November 11. In this meeting, party . developments in the party since its chairman is expected formation in 1999. to explain how Makone’s election was The university political scientist, who handled. preferred not to be named, said that “The decision to [sack] Matibenga is since 2005, Tsvangirai’s has been very depressing and I think now losing support among his most loyal people are beginning to realise that “This is a fatal case of poor followers. Tsvangirai cannot think strategically.” judgement on the part of Tsvangirai” — Harare The dismissal of Matibenga — whom the MDC chief accused of being a political scientist. The row over Matibenga’s “mole” for the ruling ZANU-PF — has dismissal could lead to a been challenged by a number of damaging split within normally firm supporters, including Sources say Matibenga has been party spokesperson , victimised for being too critical of Tsvangira’s MDC faction national organising secretary Elias Tsvangirai and the party’s secretary- months before crucial Mudzuri, deputy secretary general general , both of whom she elections. Tapiwa Mashakada, member accuses of monopolising the party of parliament and youth leader . The MDC split into two factions in “There was a lot of sympathy with 2005, when Tsvangirai chose to Tsvangirai when the MDC first split in These people form the backbone of boycott elections for a newly created October 2005, because a lot of people his party and commentators say that upper house of parliament, or Senate, felt the Senate was an unnecessary this row could presage a damaging which would include traditional chiefs waste of resources,” said the analyst. split in the faction just months before — generally supporters of ruling party presidential and parliamentary ZANU-PF — and presidential However, he said, Tsvangirai no longer elections early next year. appointees. seems to care what eventually

NOVEMBER 2007 ■ 5 THE INSTITUTE FOR WAR AND PEACE REPORTING happens to the MDC and is more and will need to rethink,” said the That is why there are even calls by concerned with pleasing his friends. analyst, who preferred to remain some of his MPs for another party.” anonymous. “In 2005, he adopted the same stance The analyst added that what is most when the party split, declaring if the “The time is fast approaching when his worrying is the way in which the party Senate issue meant the MDC should close supporters will start challenging is gradually coming to resemble die, he was prepared to let it die. Now him for his position, not just criticising ZANU-PF in its internal squabbling he wants to kill the party just to his ability to lead the party and win an and overbearing leadership. accommodate his cronies,” he said. election.”

The analyst said the sane thing for “Now [Tsvangirai] wants to Tsvangirai to have done when he “A leader who makes such realised his decision to sack kill the party just to a big blunder just before a Matibenga was unpopular would have crucial election does not accommodate his cronies” been to reverse it following the MDC — analyst. national executive meeting on wish to be taken seriously” November 3. — analyst.

“We may not know the full story about Another analyst close to the goings-on what is going on in the party, but the “The only major difference [between in the MDC said that with his decision truth is that a leader who makes such the two leaders] is that President to oust Matibenga, Tsvangirai had a big blunder just before a crucial Robert Mugabe is able to contain the gone too far. election does not wish to be taken divisions within his party,” he said. seriously,” continued the analyst. “It is “The least I can say is that this time he his commitment to the democratic Meshack Ndodana is the pseudonym has bitten off more than he can chew cause that is coming under scrutiny. of an 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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