Zim‘s unity government flawed but offers hope

THE unity government in Zimbabwe took another significant step forward yesterday with the swearing in of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister while the final act in the formation of a coalition will be when the cabinet takes the oath of office tomorrow morning. This must be accepted as representing progress in addressing the ongoing crisis in that country, even if there are deep suspicions as to the extent to which devious Zanu-PF leader Robert Mugabe will abide by the spirit of the agreement.

The challenges the new government faces are immense. More than 3400 people have died of cholera; 90 per cent of the country is unemployed; half the population is dependent on food aid and hyperinflation has rendered the Zimbabwean dollar worthless with people using foreign currency whenever possible. These are all problems for which Mugabe is directly to blame.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the current global economic slowdown and financial crisis has meant less money is being made available for humanitarian aid. There are also justifiable suspicions as to Mugabe‘s real intentions, with the result some countries may withhold support until they are satisfied the unity government is but an interim arrangement until fresh elections can be held under international supervision.

The immediate challenge is to resurrect the country‘s infrastructure as its collapse lies at the heart of both the outbreaks of disease, especially cholera, and is essential if the economy is to be dragged back onto its feet. Perhaps there is an opportunity there for a massive public works programme that will not only address this problem but also serve as a means to generate employment even if the jobs are only temporary.

Further, it is imperative that the parlous state of agriculture that flows from the misguided seizure of farms by war veterans and others is addressed so that Zimbabwe can once again grow the food its people needs.

It would be naïve to suggest the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe is over. There are far too many challenges ahead for a nation that has all but collapsed let alone how the road to new elections will be managed. But the unity government, however flawed, and however much it might serve to prolong the Mugabe regime, does at least offer some hope – something the Zimbabwean people have not had in abundance over the past decade.

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This anarchy must be stopped

THE behaviour of a faction of taxi operators in burning down clinics and setting fire to vehicles must be deplored in the strongest terms, not only because it is criminal but also because those affected are mainly the poor. Further, given the clarity provided at the summit at the end of last month regarding implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport system, it is all too clear that the motive for the current strike and accompanying violence has little or nothing to do with the introduction of a transport system required for the World Cup. At the same time, we do not believe national government and the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality have acted with the required determination to end what has become nothing other than anarchy. The decision to bow to the demands of strikers and halt work on the BRT system displayed a weakness that has now been exploited. It is clear from the failure of striking taxi operators to attend the summit that they have no real interest in resolving outstanding issues or accepting assurances that there will be no job losses in the taxi industry or of income. However Thatcherite it might sound it is now time to act decisively and crush what has become tyranny by the minority.