OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Thursday
ZIMBABWE’S opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has threatened to “take to the streets” to force President Robert Mugabe to halt his country’s involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – which the government has admitted has cost it US$200m.
The admissions, by Finance Minister Simba Makoni, have enraged MDC parliamentarians and ordinary citizens, who have pointed out that Zimbabweans are facing acute fuel and hard currency shortages in the nation’s worst economic crisis since independence.
Admitting that the cash-strapped government could not sustain the expenditure for an extended period, Makoni said since joining the war in August 1998, Zimbabwe spent $5,2m in its first five months, $78m in 1999, and $120m in the first six months of this year.
Makoni’s disclosures are likely to shake a nation which blames the worsening economic hardships on mismanagement and corruption.
A stark reflection of the nation’s crumbling economy and political woes came at the annual six-day Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, which ends in Harare this weekend. Once a showcase of the agriculture-based economy, dozens of exhibition stalls remained empty for the first time and the number of pedigree cattle on show was down by half.
The International Monetary Fund froze balance of payments support to Zimbabwe last year, citing government attempts to cover up the full extent of its military spending as one of its reasons.
Makoni said President Laurent Kabila was still “committed” to reimbursing Zimbabwe for its soldiers’ combat allowances, armour-backed transport and the operations of chartered supply aircraft, helicopters and fighter jets.
This year inflation has soared to a record 70% and unemployment exceeded 50%. Education, social and health services have declined sharply, with state hospitals and clinics reporting acute shortages of basic drugs and equipment.