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."

A Zimbabwean child

In May Robert Mugabe told Sky News, and the world, that Zimbabwe was on its way to producing a "bumper harvest". Accordingly the activities of the World Food Programme (WFP) were to be curtailed. Donor food was no longer required. Even the United Nations' own national food security assessment was stopped in its tracks. Henceforth the government would feed its own people without any outside help. So five months on one might well ask - Where is the bumper harvest ? How are the people faring, especially deep in the rural areas where it is very difficult for reporters from the independent media to penetrate ?

Just this week this writer interviewed an MDC Councilor from Binga; let's call him Isaac Moyo to protect his real identity. How would he describe the situation on the ground in the Ward he represents some 30 to 40 kilometers removed from the Binga Centre ? From our conversation it emerged that he was deeply troubled about the food security situation.

Eric Harrison: Injured

Maioio Farm, Mkwasine, in the Chiredzi District was once a thriving citrus and sugar cane farm, employing a substantial labour force and bringing in hundreds of thousands of US Dollars in export earnings. Today it is in a sorry state as the citrus crop wilts for lack of irrigation and the untended sugar cane rots in the fields. The plight of the farm owner Eric Harrison and his family was described in an earlier article. Supported by neighbours and friends, Harrison has stood his ground, doggedly refusing to accept what amounts to an illegal invasion of his property by an assortment of ZANU PF thugs, militia and would-be A2 farmers. Neither threats nor violence, neither the looting of his crops nor the vandalizing of his property, has so far undermined his resolve to stand fast.