/ 27 January 2000

‘SURPRISE’ WIN FOR MUGABE

ZIMBABWE’S president Robert Mugabe has won first prize in the first monthly draw organised by Zimbank, which is partly owned by the government. The bank did not reveal how many names were in the draw, but said in a statement that they could “hardly believe their eyes” when Mugabe’s name was the first one drawn on Wednesday night. All account holders with more than $5000 Zimbabwe dollars were eligible for the $100000 prize. The Zimbabwe government, accused of economic mismanagement amidst a growing fuel crisi in the country, owns a 40% stake in Zimbank.