[Zimbabwe] Poverty bites, marking 26 yrs of self rule

from SABC News

Tariro Shumba plans to spend a quiet day at home with her family on Zimbabwe's Independence Day, shunning celebrations hosted by the government of Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean president, at a stadium less than 20 minutes' walk away.

Shumba is just one of thousands of Zimbabweans for whom the 26 year anniversary of independence from Britain offers little cause for joy in the face of an economic meltdown that has driven many into an abyss of poverty. Mugabe's ruling Zanu (PF) party has been touting the day as another occasion to savour the country's triumph over British colonialism after a bloody 1970s guerrilla war, and is laying on celebrations around the country's 10 provinces.

World's highest inflation rate
But for many the fanfare rings hollow against the background of rocketing prices of basic commodity prices. Zimbabwe has the world's highest inflation rate, with unemployment of over 70%, and nagging shortages of food, foreign currency and fuel. "We have nothing to show for our independence, except overwhelming poverty," says Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition, in an anniversary message.

The MDC has threatened countrywide protests at an as yet unnamed date as a mark of anger against a crisis many blame on Mugabe's government. "There is no point in continuing to watch with trepidation a small nationalistic class...wreak havoc on the national cake. Only action and political pressure shall bring in the desired results and lead us to resuscitate our failed state and our dying institutions." says Tsvangirai.

Zimbabwean asylum seekers expected to be deported from Britain
The political temperature could also be raised by an influx of thousands of disgruntled nationals who fled to Britain in search of jobs while others cited political persecution at home. Zimbabweans now face deportation after the British government won a court ruling allowing it to eject failed asylum seekers.

Mugabe has rejected charges that he should bear responsibility for Zimbabwe's economic malaise, and in turn points a finger at his foreign and domestic opponents whom he says have sabotaged the country's wealth over his land reforms. The veteran leader, one of Africa's longest serving leaders, says the land redistribution programme was necessary to redress ownership imbalances caused by colonialism.