Robert Mugabe and his government will not admit that they have destroyed the once vibrant economy of Zimbabwe, they would rather blame everyone else but themselves for the current economic crisis in the country. But in an effort to solve the current food and basic commodity shortages in the country, the government of Zimbabwe has introduced the Basic Commodities Accessebility programe.
But is this the answer to Zimbabwe's current food crisis?
President Robert Mugabe has launched the basic commodities accessibility programme under which basic commodities hampers will be sold directly to all households at affordable prices.
Mugabe said the government is embarking on the programme to bring relief to the people while measures are being undertaken to revitalise the economy.
But who in their right senses can trust this current government to get the country out of this mess? Today inflation stands at 2.2 million percent......the ZImbabwean dollar is now useless and the majority of the people would rather trade in foreign currency.
Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party may have used violence to remain in power, but economic problems will hit them hard. And will eventually bring down this unwanted government.
The basic commodities hamper is not a new thing to Zimbabweans, in fact many innovative Zimbabwean entreprenuers have been doing this for some years now.
But why should the government take over the function of supermarkets? People should be able to go and buy whatever they want from the shops. But this is Zimbabwe, Mugabe has destroyed the shops through his ill advised price controls.
Now he has come up with another policy which is bound to fail, most of these commodities will just end up at the black market. And the only people who will benefit, are the government officials.
Instead of blaming the current problems in Zimbabwe on sanctions, the government should look no further than their own policies of mass distraction. The economic crisis will bring this unwanted government to it's knees. Will the Chinese and Russian give them any financial support?
It's supposed to be one of the best days in one's life. It was supposed to be the best day for the Shumba family, finally their daughter who has been in London for some years was getting married. With everyone gathered for the traditional marriage of their daughter, this was supposed to be a happy day for the whole family, until the Jamaicans arrived in the village.
Culture is very dynamic, YES, but our traditions seem to have passed the test of time. With millions of Zimbabweans now living in different parts of the world, many are learning and taking up the values, moral and cultures of the communities in which they are no residing. But how much of these foreign cultures will be acceptable back in Zimbabwe?
But as Chenai(not her real name) found out, some things are not acceptable in our more traditional Zimbabwean culture. Chenai's parents divorced because of her choices of partner. Her mother is now living in Malawi after she was send away by her father.
Chenai's parents did not divorce because she was getting married to a Jamaican. IN fact it was because she was marrying a Jamaican woman. Since she came to England, Chenai has probably learnt that it's okay for a woman to marry another woman. But for her father that was a NO NO NO. Now Chenai has to live the rest of her life knowing she was responsible for the divorce of her parents.
From what we have heard, Chenai did not let her parents know that the would be 'husband' was in fact another woman. Instead the parents were left to find out on the day of the traditional ceremony, from the Jamaican go-between (munyayi/sadombo).
Chenai's mother was send away, because according to the father she knew all about her daughter's relationship for she had visited her in England the year before.
It seems some things will never be accepted no matter how much culture changes. But for the Shumba family, life will never be the same again since the day their daughter decided to get married to another woman.
Is there another country in the world which trades in trillions? Zimbabwe's $100 Billion is less than one British pound (1) at today's exchange rate.
The economic crisis in Zimbabwe is getting worse everyday. Even though Robert Mugabe gave himself the mandate to manage the country's economy for another five years, his government does not seem to have a clue on how to solve the economic problems affecting Zimbabwe.
Not even the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Mr Gideon Gono. Struggling to contain inflation estimated to be over 2 million percent, Mr Gono has announced that the daily cash withdrawal limit is going up from the current ZW$25 Billion to ZW$100 Billion.
The reserve bank governor is also expected to deal with the growing number of zeros soon. We expect him to remove some of the zeros from the currency probably in a few months to come or maybe weeks.
Meanwhile companies have started removing zeros for transacting purposes as their systems fail to compute figures now running into trillions.
The leader of a breakaway faction of the Movement for Democratic Change, Arthur Mutambara was arrested by the police on Sunday morning at his home in Harare.
"He was arrested for publishing falsehoods and for contempt of court for an opinion article he wrote in April." His lawyer Harrison Nkomo told AFP.
Arthur Mutambara recently pledge to work with main Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to defeat Robert Mugabe at a run-off election end of this month.
One of his senior allies, former lawmaker Trudy Stevenson, confirmed that Mutambara was picked up at his Harare home by police on Sunday morning and taken to Harare Central police station.
The editor of a Zimbabwe independent newspaper The Standard was arrested last month over the article written by Mutambara which accused president Robert Mugabe of running down the Zimbabwe economy and his security forces of abuse.
His lawyer Harrison Nkomo said he does not expect Mutambara to be brought before a court until Tuesday.
"I'm only expecting him in court on Tuesday as no questioning will take place today. The questioning will only start tomorrow," he said. - AFP
As is to rub it in! As if Zanu PF and it's sympathisers have not tortured and killed enough innocent Zimbabweans. How could Grace say such irresponsible statements?
On her supposed 'visit' to victims of 'Zanu PF' violence, Grace Mugabe, the wife of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe told her party supporters that Morgan Tsvangirai will never set foot into State House (as if it's the Mugabe's personal property).
Is it up to Grace and Robert Mugabe to decide who will be the next president of Zimbabwe?
Grace Mugabe told Zanu PF supporters that, "Even if people vote for Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Tsvangirai will never set foot inside State House. He will only get to hear about how it looks like inside from people who have been their. Even if Baba (Mugabe) loses, he will only leave to make way to someone from Zanu PF".
There is no doubt that Grace's statements will cause more violence in the country. (how else does she expect people to react to such irresponsible talk from someone who is supposed to care for the people?).
Grace Mugabe who is 40 years, Robert Mugabe's Junior was accompanying the president to Shamva.
It's a pity someone who is supposed to be a respected figure in society is now open to such ridicule all because of such irresponsible talk. But what else can we expect from her? Every Zimbabwean knows who is behind the country's problems, now it seems even Grace has realised what everyone else new already. That Mugabe is responsible and people want him out.
But what does the future have for Grace Mugabe after State House? Could it be the reason why she is not so keen to leave State House?
But in the townships we think she knows it's now time for change, so the sooner she accepts it and move on the better.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
Despite the xenophobic violence that rocked South African townships in the past weeks, Zimbabweans are still risking their lives illegally crossing into South Africa.
Zimbabwean immigrants fleeing the economic and political problems in their own country cross the border from Zimbabwe to South Africa illegally through the crocodile infested Limpopo river.
Who can blame the people? Desperate times like these call for desperate actions. The political crisis in Zimbabwe has resulted in increased suffering for the majority of Zimbabweans.
Ever since the disputed elections on March 29 in which the opposition MDC defeated the ruling Zanu PF, Zimbabweans have seen an increase in violence against opposition supporters. Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists have been killed and some displaced from their areas as the country prepare for the election run-off set for June 27.
The economy is in meltdown. The country's highest denomination bank note ($500 million) can not even buy you one chicken which is being sold for ZW$2 billion.
These economic problems have been attributed to years of mismanagement by the current Zanu PF government. The Zimbabwean dollar exchange rate is now one pound (£1) to ZW$1.2 billion............how ridiculous!
As Zimbabwean immigrants continue to risk their lives by crossing the border into South Africa were 52 people were reported to have been killed in xenophobic attacks, what is the solution to the Zimbabwe crisis? Will the elections on June 27 solve the Zimbabwe problem?
Home is best....and most of the Zimbabweans who have been forced to flee their our country because of violence, torture, hunger and starvation will want to go home one day and experience the nice feeling of being home again.
On his return to Zimbabwe from South Africa, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) president Morgan Tsvangirai said, "It's so nice to be home". And indeed he is back in the country to prepare for the election run-off scheduled for June 27.
Tsvangirai is back in Zimbabwe to prepare for that day, when Zimbabweans will decide their destiny.
Meanwhile our dear president Robert Mugabe has threatened to kick out of the country US Ambassador James McGee. He accuses him of political interference. But in the townships we think the main problem is, the US Ambassador is exposing something that the government is not happy about (all the violence, torture and murder of innocent Zimbabweans).
Our dear president has also been referring to the US state department's diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer as a prostitute. The president said Jendayi Frazer was behaving like a prostitute for suggesting that the MDC won the March 29 elections.
But if the MDC did not win, then who won? Since when did stating the facts equal to being a prostitute.
It has also been reported in some news sources that Robert Mugabe's eye sight is no longer that good. He is said to have complained that even though he would like to read the Herald, he can not do so because the print is too small for his eyes.
But in the townships we don't think he is not missing much by not reading the 'Horrible' newspaper.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
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This is not a joke! It's not a surprise either!
The Zimbabwe dollar exchange rate has got to ZW$1 billion against the British pound. Well done to Mugabe, Gideon Gono the reserve bank governor and all the Zanu PF sympathisers. They have managed to reduce the country to 'Zimbabwe Ruins'.
How else could they explain this exchange rate - one(1) British pound to
ZW$1 000 000 000.00.
Is it time up for the Zanu PF government? Can they be trusted with running the country's economy anymore.
I put the blame on Gideon Gono, the reserve bank of Zimbabwe governor. He is responsible for the monetary policy of the country. He has been coming up with these policies which have not helped the country at all.
After his introduction of the willing seller, willing buyer exchange rate policy did things get better in the country? NO. They have actually got worse.
If we add the three zeros that Gono removed from the currency the exchange rate gets into trillions. Give us a break!
Gono should get out of the office because he has failed the country. Some may want to place the blame somewhere, but as long as he remains reserve bank governor, he is part of the system which has failed the country.
Award winning South Africa gospel star, Vuyo Mokoena has died. His record company Big Fish Music confirmed on Friday.
Vuyo Mokoena was admitted to hospital after experiencing blinding headaches and subsequent tests revealed he had developed a brain tumour.
According to his record company Big Fish Music, Vuyo died at 05:30 on Friday. He was first admitted to hospital in March and was diagonised with leukaemia.
Vuyo Mokoena was one of the popular gospel musicians in Zimbabwe.
A Zimbabwean woman is said to have been shot by police with a taser after the armed police stormed the house to end a 29 hour siege.
Police said the Zimbabwean woman was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill after undergoing a medical examination. A police spokesman said the children aged one, two and ten were now being cared for by social workers.
The Zimbabwean woman lived at the house with two young children. A third child, her nephew, was also at the house. Police superintendent Tom Mackinnon said, "police negotiators had discussed 'concerns' the woman had about 'immigration issues'.
Lately the Zimbabwe dollar exchange rate has been very unstable, and in fact it still continues to be unstable, falling everyday against major currencies (today £1 is equivalent to ZW$850 million).
It's problem after problem in Zimbabwe today. The Zimbabwe dollar continues to lose value against major currencies, whilst at the same time it doesn't seem as if the reserve bank have a clue on how to end the fall in value of the dollar.
The Zimbabwe dollar is currently trading at one (1) British pound to ZW$850 million and still falling. The rate changes everyday, so the best is to check for the latest exchange rate before any transactions.
So, what is the future of the Zimbabwean dollar?
I think this is now one of those useless currencies in the world, thanks to Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF government. They have managed to destroyed a once very strong Zimbabwean dollar, now it's valueless.
Even the efforts of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono to control the exchange rate have failed to stabilise the Zimbabwean dollar. He has even tried removing zeros from the currency in an effort to give it more 'value'.
The truth is all his efforts have failed......
So what can stabilise the value of this Zimbabwean dollar?
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comment.
In this post one of My Zimbabwe Today readers shares his views on the violence in South Africa against immigrants, mostly from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. What goes around comes around! The people of South Africa should know that.
It is so sad to read about the violence going on in South Africa and the plight of immigrants. The actions of the South African people are barbaric and uncalled for. Twenty three people are said to have been killed by these South African thugs yet the Thabo Mbeki led government has so far failed to act decisively on the growing attacks on immigrants.
BUT! Behold bretheren. What goes around comes around! Those South Africans do not even know that sooner or later, they are going to be border jumping into neighbouring countries(particularly Zimbabwe) in search of the very same that those immigrants they are burning alive are searching for in their South Africa. (Mark my words!!! and I am no prophet of doom). The failure of ANC and its myopic Thabo Mbeki to quickly and effectively redress this (violence) shall be the very same failure to offer long term opportunities to its disgruntled black population.
These events are but just a tip of things to come. South Africans are still in a phase where they have total hope and belief in their leadership, just like us around those years after gaining independence. They would rather blame increasing unemployment and poverty on IMMIGRANTS rather than their own government's failures. Do you at any point remember any Zimbabwean winging when we had an equally, if not more, influx of South Africans, Mozambicans, Zambians, Malawians and even Nigerians. We shared with them, housed, fed and lived with them like brothers and sisters. What are we getting in return?
Behold bretheren, don't weep and dispare. Instead have mercy and pity for the South Africans for their future is by far worse off than ours. Lets continue to pray that God's blessings are just around the corner for Zimbabwe. The moment the tyrant Mugabe goes on 27 June, 2008 (or a month, 2 months, etc depending on how long Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will want to spend counting the results), then we will all witness a turn around of the Zimbabwe situation. Over-night those Immigrants will disappear leaving the South Africans to revisit their hypothesis that Immigrants (Zimbabweans) are causing them hardships arising from unemployment and a rise in cost of living, among others.
Lets wait and see.
Your are free to contribute to My Zimbabwe Today. I'm always interested in what you have to say. Thanks again to the contributing reader for his comments.
Zimbabwe' annual inflation rate rose this month to 1 063 572 percent based on a basket of food stuffs.
How can we describe the economic situation in Zimbabwe? The economy is in crisis, and nothing seems to be going right in Zimbabwe today. And still Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF government still insists that they are the best in managing Zimbabwe's economy. What a joke!
A 1kg chicken costs ZW$1 billion, bread ZW$200 million and chances are by the time you are reading this the prices have changed again. That is how bad things are in Zimbabwe. Crazy stuff, isn't it?
So, can this get any worse than this? I'm afraid YES. As long as the current government remains in power we are doomed Zimbabwe. June 27 is too far. Add to that the days it will take the Electoral Commission to count the votes, add the days for verification and add the days for a possible recount. Then I may not be wrong to say we are sad for more doom and gloom ahead.
Can anyone tell me how Zimbabwe workers can manage to go to work under these difficulty times? Wages can not increase at the same rate as the increase in prices, which means more suffering for the worker.
Transport costs increase everyday, rent for two bedroom apartment is now about ZW$22 billion, add on that the food costs and other requirements. There is no suffering greater than this.
Soon there is going to be a total collapse in all public services in Zimbabwe. And to think that at such a difficult time for the country, the government can even consider spending whatever little money they have on guns and bombs. It makes me angry. Do people eat guns and bombs?
Zimbabwe is the fastest shrinking economy outside a conventional war zone, with much of the country's savings having been used up in spending without corresponding productive income.
"It is as though a starving man has eaten his left foot and starts eating his right foot to survive in the short term," said independent Harare economist John Robertson.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
George Evans Gwaze a Zimbabwean living in New Zealand was found not guilty of murder and sexual assault against his niece, 10 year old Charlene Makaza.
A jury of seven man and five women took just under five hours to reach it's verdict. The girl who was HIV positive was found dead at Gwaze's home last year. She had lived with Gwaze and his family since the death of her mother when she was seven months old.
The jury returned not guilty verdicts on the murder charge and two counts of sexual violation.
Charlene was found by her aunt in bed having breathing difficulties and was rushed for medical treatment, but died later in the hospital. Medical evidence was given that damage to Charlene's genital and rectal areas indicated she had been sexually assaulted. Sperm from George Gwaze was found in her underpants.
However the defence argued that the sperm may have been the result of an "innocent transfer" in the family's washing.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who has lived out of the country for over a month will not be returning home Saturday as expected. Tsvangirai was expected to return to Zimbabwe to prepare for the second round of elections against Robert Mugabe.
Tsvangirai was due to return to Zimbabwe from Europe where he addressed a summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Tsvangirai defeated Robert Mugabe in the March 29 elections, but did not get enough votes to get outright victory. However most Zimbabweans believe the election was flawed and Mugabe and his Zanu PF party rigged the elections because of their desire to stay in power.
The MDC could not say when Tsvangirai will be going home. " We can't say why he will not be coming today, except to say it's due to circumstances beyond our control." said Movement for Democratic Change party spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
Chamisa said an MDC rally scheduled in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo on Sunday would go ahead, but would not say whether Tsvangirai would be back in the country in time to address it.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai will return to Zimbabwe on Saturday to start his run-off campaign after a court overturned a ban on the opposition's first rally since it claimed victory in the March 29 elections, party officials said.
Meanwhile Robert Mugabe has told ruling Zanu PF part conference on Friday that the result of the March 29 election was "disastrous".
Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe told his party's central committee that, "Although the presidential result did not yield an outright winner, it was indeed disastrous".
"Nevertheless we are set for a second round, for the run-off which must now decide the winner.
Mugabe also went on to say that he will not lose power to an opposition he said was backed by "a hostile axis of powerful foreign governments" and Western "imperialists".
...... I wonder how many Zimbabweans agree with Mugabe on this issue.
Meanwhile the delayed vote run-off will be held on June 27, the Electoral Commission announced. Could this be the day the country finally get rid of this unwanted government for good?
But what really motivates Mugabe? What really gives him this desire to hang on to power? What makes him believe that he is the only one who can lead and manage the country's economy better?
After all his record shows he has failed. 80 percent of the population live below the poverty datum line, 80 percent of the population are unemployed, 165 000percent inflation. We have a rubbish and valueless Zimbabwean Dollar, with the highest denomination bank note of ZW$500 million (equivalent to 1 pound), that's ridiculous.
People have no food and when they don't vote for him, they have to be beaten so they vote for him in the run-off.
So, what do you think about the coming vote run-off. Any message to fellow Zimbabweans.
I'm always interested in what you have to say,
Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Morgan Tsvangirai is due to give a speech to a political conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland addressing Liberal parties from across the world.
Tsvangirai who defeated Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe's presidential election in March is to visit Belfast on Friday.
Conference organiser Lord John Alderdice said "we are honoured that Mr Tsvangirai and Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade have chosen to attend the conference in Belfast.
"Belfast is a city often seen as an example that conflict can be overcome when people choose peace and democracy over violence and tyranny". He also went on to say, "It is an honour for the world wide liberal family to be in the presence of these distinguished individuals who are dedicated to perusing basic human rights in Africa.
Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC has reacted angrily to the election re-run being delayed until end of July. An official government notice released Wednesday extended the deadline for holding the run-off vote by (90 days instead of the legal 21 days after the results were announced.
Tendai Biti, secretary general of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called the decision irresponsible. "This country can not afford 90 days" of more violence and instability and deteriorating economic conditions.
Welcome to Zimbabwe! Welcome to the Land of new bank notes!
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has introduced new ZW$500 000 000 bank note in a bid to tackle cash shortages caused by runaway inflation estimated to be about 165 000 percent according to figures released in February. Since then no inflation figures have been released.
Zimbabwe is now surely a country of new bank notes, as the new ZW500 million comes only 10 after the introduction of ZW$100 million and ZW$250 million.
The Reserve Bank also introduced something they are calling 'Agro Cheques', in ZW$5 billion, ZW$25 billion and ZW$50 billion denominations, which will expire in December. These are meant to facilitate the "Implementation of the grain mobilisation programme", in the face of the global food crisis.
"Introducing the new the new ZW$500 million bearer cheque for your convenience", read a Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe advert in the government's mouth piece The Herald.
This is the fourth time Zimbabwe has introduced new bank notes this year.
In January higher denomination ZW$10 000 000 bank note
April 2......higher denomination ZW$50 million
May 2.........ZW$100 million and ZW$250 million
Now...........ZW$500 million
The country has gone to the dogs! Is anyone in control of the monetary situation in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe's chronic economic crisis has condemned many it's people to unprecedented levels of poverty. 80 percent of the population are said to live below the poverty datum line.
Why has the country resorted to printing these valueless papers?
Surely they must be printing these bank notes on bond paper. How can they afford the real paper to print money every week?
Always interested in what you have to say,
Hackers have targeted Zimbabwe's business weekly, the Financial Gazette. The Newspapers had most of it's links replaced with slogans calling for Mugabe to GO. The popular opposition slogans, Mugabe must Go!Free Zim!
The Financial Gazette is widely believed to be owned by the Reserve Bank governor Mr Gono, who many see as a key Ally of president Mugabe.
Only a few days back, the website of Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper had it's links replaced with the word 'Gukurahundi' in reference to the period after independence when a lot of people were killed in the Matebeleland region.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the hacking of the two newspaper's websites. But the newspapers seem to be paying for their continued support of the current regime which most Zimbabweans blame for their current troubles. The regime which is not doing anything to stop the torture and killing of innocent people because it wants to hang on to power at all cost.
In chart rooms, forums and in the blog sphere Zimbabweans have been plotting to cripple the government's propaganda machine and all it's forces of evil and sympathisers. The Herald has said it was sabotaged by someone outside the country.
Does it mean Zimbabweans forced to flee their own country because of problems created by a regime determined to hang on to power at all cost? If so, why should we care about these two newspapers?
Feel free to share your opinions.
Who will save the innocent people of Zimbabwe from this brutality? Ever since the elections of March 29 in which Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF lost to the opposition MDC, the people of Zimbabwe have seen an increase in violence, torture and killings of perceived opposition supporters.
Where is SADC? Where is AU? Where is the United Nations? Where is the international community? As for our neighbour South Africa, God knows how many Zimbabweans wish their president Thabo Mbeki should just keep quite if he has got nothing to offer to the people of Zimbabwe.
Is it that all these organisations and the international community are powerless in saving the people of Zimbabwe from all this brutality? Perhaps only Zimbabweans can help themselves out of this situation, but how?
More than six weeks ago Zimbabweans went to the polls to elect who they want to be the leader of their country. Now six weeks after the elections in Zimbabwe and ahead of the expected run-off (of which the date has not been announced), the Zimbabwe economic crisis is deepening everyday and pushing ordinary Zimbabweans into despair.
Many Zimbabweans had hoped that the March 29 elections could bring an end to the country's' economic problems and the continued suffering caused the current government. Instead prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels living Zimbabweans hopeless and let down by everyone who could help end this crisis in the country.
There are reports and evidence of politically motivated violence and torture in all parts of the country. Video evidence and pictures are available for everyone to see, yet nobody seems to be able to help end this brutal regimes rule of terror.
"Levels of post election violence in Zimbabwe are escalating in Urban and Rural areas and could reach crisis proportions" a UN officials said.
There have been reports from Zimbabwe of a stand-off between the US Ambassador and the Zimbabwe police in the rural community of Mvurwi. All because the American Ambassador visited the area to witness first hand, the violence beatings and torture against Movement for Democratic Change supporters being perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters, government militias (green bombers) and those misguided elements who masquerade as war veterans.
Is anyone ever going to be able to help the people of Zimbabwe from the brutality of the current government, all because they voted for Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC? Where is the International community, where is SADC, AU and UN when the people of Zimbabwe are in the time of need?
Always interested in what you have to say,
