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/ 1 December 2007
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe launched a new attack on Britain on Friday after it failed to prevent him being invited to a European Union summit next month, telling London to stop interfering in its former colony. He also thanked fellow African heads of state for their diplomatic support in what he called an ”onslaught” by Britain and its allies.
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/ 11 November 2007
Zimbabwe marks the 10th anniversary this week of ”Black Friday”, when its currency plunged a record 72%, an episode widely regarded as the precursor of its subsequent economic meltdown. Under pressure after street protests, President Robert Mugabe ordered unbudgeted payouts for 50 000 of war veterans.
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/ 28 October 2007
An escalating energy crisis has pulled the plug on hopes of reviving Zimbabwe’s economy as production grinds to a halt in a manufacturing sector already battling sky-high inflation. Although central bank chief Gideon Gono said that shelves would soon be full again after a pricing crackdown, analysts say the power deficit will accelerate the meltdown as inflation nears 8 000%.
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/ 11 October 2007
A court was to rule on Thursday whether 11 of Zimbabwe’s last remaining white farmers should stand trial after they stayed on their properties in defiance of a government eviction order. A magistrate in the farming town of Chegutu will also to decide whether the 11 can appeal against their impending eviction.
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/ 16 September 2007
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is consolidating his hold on power as he ruthlessly tackles his arch-critics ahead of 2008 polls in which he is a candidate, analysts say. His latest victim is former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube, one of his strongest critics, who resigned this week from his post in the aftermath of an alleged adultery scandal.
A drop in the monthly inflation rate may have been greeted with sighs of relief by the Zimbabwean government, but analysts and consumers have seen little evidence that the economy has turned a corner. While the annual rate hit a new high of 7 634,8%, month-on-month inflation in July was lower than the June rate.
Zimbabwe’s opposition and ruling party squared up in Parliament Tuesday at the start of a session that is set to usher in controversial changes to the Constitution ahead of next year’s elections. President Robert Mugabe is expected to get overwhelming approval for his plans to synchronise the timing of the parliamentary and presidential polls.
Renewed bickering among Zimbabwe’s opposition only months after a vow to bury their differences looks set to wreck prospects of a united challenge to President Robert Mugabe at elections next year. Analysts believe the only winner is Mugabe, seeking a seventh term in office next year.
Skyrocketing inflation, erratic power supplies, a skills shortage and a dearth of foreign exchange have combined to ensure Zimbabwe is missing out on a global boom in gold prices. The potential benefits for manufacturers and miners are being rapidly eroded by the collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar.
Authorities in Zimbabwe announced the arrest of hundreds more retailers and executives as part of an ongoing price crackdown on Friday as it emerged the head of the central bank had warned against the blitz. Among the latest arrests were four police officers accused of looting from shops.