By any of the normal indices by which one judges the success of a leader of a modern nation state, he is a failure, and an abject failure at that. Yet still, after 28 years of disastrous rule, he remains at the helm and, incredibly, at the age of 84 he is putting himself forward again as a candidate - ZANU PF's only official candidate - for a further term as President of Zimbabwe. Such is the overwhelming arrogance of the man, Robert Mugabe. And that, with such a record of shame, he should have even the remotest prospect of prolonging his tenure in office, is testament only to the experience and expertise his regime has acquired in defying the democratic process.

At independence in 1980, Zimbabwe seemed poised on the threshold of an era of great promise. That independence was won at the cost of a bitter and protracted civil war, but now the proud nation was bursting with new confidence. Robert Mugabe was widely acclaimed as a hero - a revolutionary leader who had committed to the cause of reconciliation and the path of pragmatism. Western governments were falling over themselves in the rush to provide offers of aid. In the general euphoria then prevailing Julius Nyerere of Tanzania counselled Mugabe: "You have inherited a jewel. Keep it that way."

Please visit our photo gallery to view each image with full titles and information attached. These come from the 'Queues' set.

Looking for food among the rubbish

Those who have not been exposed to Zimbabwe's hyperinflation may find it difficult to comprehend the intensity of the suffering it causes to the country's citizens. What difference does it make to people's everyday lives? To say that inflation has become a matter of life and death for many, may sound like an exaggeration to readers outside Zimbabwe. But that is the tragic reality as this real life story illustrates. Inflation is a direct cause of incredible stress and hardship.

The names in this article have been changed to protect the identity of our interviewee and people around him, but all the other details are exactly as provided to our reporter.