There has been an excited flurry of rumour going around Zimbabwe, starting early yesterday, that Mugabe is on his death bed.  But, these are rumours which have done the circuit so many times before, they are being treated with a large dose of suspicion.  It seems that the primary source of the rumour is the “Zimbabwe Mail” an online publication that does not name its source and is therefore impossible to verify.

However, information has come in from Singapore that he is certainly having medical treatment, but there is no confirmation over the extent of treatment, nor if he is “battling for his life”.   At the age of 88 and leading the lifestyle he has, there is no doubt he is on the road to decline….just how much he is “battling” and how much of it is routine old age ill health is anybody’s  guess.   Indeed, sometimes these despots throw these rumours out to do a check on homeland stability and security – who uprises, who demonstrates, who is loyal. (more…)

[I have not written this blog to bleat about the seemingly endless litany of bribery stories, speak to any Zimbabwean and they have hundreds, but what I love is a new website I recently discovered on the net. For all you Zimbo’s reading this out there in cyberspace, let’s report our stories on this great site. Go to bribespot.com and have some worthwhile fun, it’s anonymous, it’s easy and it’s free!]

Bribery and corruption have become the norm in the Zimbabwean way of life, with the disease spreading its tentacles to every facet of our society, from match fixing to having to bribe medical staff for access to ARV’s, the list is endless. There is no need to detail the degree of corruption in political circles, that has been done over and over again. Sadly, it seems the MDC are as vulnerable to the temptation of using their GNU inspired influence as the old guard, but that is a different blog altogether.

I recently read about the “Anti Corruption Commission” being a dangerous job to find yourself in and this comes as no surprise. I would hate to have the job, it would be an almost impossible task to end corruption in Zimbabwe. Then I laughed when I read an interview in the government mouthpiece Zimpapers, Augustine Moyo interviewed the Zimbabwe Republic Police National Traffic spokesman Inspector Tigere Chigome (TC).  (more…)

Bulawayo residents are making their voices heard. Just over a week ago residents of various high density suburbs awoke to see their streets carrying bright messages of discontent. The graffiti can be found on both the main road and side roads.

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Mugabe has launched an ‘anti-sanctions’ petition called the ‘National Anti-Sanctions Petition’ today. The Herald carries a lengthy piece citing numerous individuals apparently supporting this campaign, referring to it as a “step further in fighting the illegal Western sanctions on the country”. Mugabe would like the nation to believe that the sanctions applied by the West are not ‘targeted sanctions’ against a select number of corrupt human rights abusing individuals, but broad and sweeping against the whole country. According to some adverts appearing in the media, the Zanu PF claim is that the sanctions are not personalized or targeted but an attack on all Zimbabweans. It says that sanctions are an illegal measure by foreigners aimed at a sovereign people. In addition, it says that sanctions are an outsider’s policy set against an independent country and people with its own legislature.

The Herald, as usual, does its best to support it’s master’s message. (We, the people still waiting for the much needed media reforms to come out of the inclusive government!). (more…)

Bulawayo cooling towers

Finally there is some good news in the power supply drama that engulfs the lives of each and every Zimbabwean.  Congratulations go to the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association for spearheading demonstrations over Zesa’s extortionate rates and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for their successful application to reduce tariffs.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply authority has been in disarray for close to a decade and the supply of energy a massive deterrent to investors and an almost insurmountable challenge to local industry, commerce and mining in particular.  Private consumers are overwhelmed with bills that range from $2000 a month to $5000. (more…)

I am sick to death of turning on my radio in the morning to be bombarded by the nauseating jingles that infect the airwaves. Added to Zanu Broadcasting Corporation’s venomous hate speech, skewed news items and inane ranting, we have the praise singers fawning over ZanuPF. Now with the 21st February looming I am forced to participate in the celebration of the 87th birthday of the decrepit octogenarian who, like Mubarak, has used his power to enrich himself to a degree beyond my wildest dreams. I retch over the oft repeated jingle wishing the bastard a happy birthday, “makorokota, amhlope”. Congratulations for what? For driving Zimbabwe to ruin?

I dread driving into downtown Harare where the giant screen will certainly be exhorting us to remember the 21st February.

What incenses me even more is the fact that my hard earned US$ taxes are paying for the drivel coming over the airways. (more…)

I was shocked that The Horrid The Herald, that non-partisan, balanced missive, would recently report in such detail the extent of Minister Chombo’s wealth. Interesting that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Rural Development would own (according to the Herald):

2 Glen View houses
2 flats in Queensdale,
A property in Katanga Township, Stand Number 1037 Mount Pleasant Heights
4 Norton business stands
3 Chinhoyi business stands,
4 Banket business stands,
1 commercial stand in Epworth,
2 residential stands in Chirundu
4 commercial stands in Kariba
1 stand in Ruwa (more…)

For many years I have been writing about Gogo’s travails and this week, once again, she has been subjected to another bout of stress, sending her blood pressure into the stratosphere.

Gogo still has under her care eight young grandchildren, nephews and nieces. She has lost three of her own children to HIV Aids, malaria and a car accident. She is 63 and her lined face and bent body tell the story of the hardships she has had to endure as a woman of Zimbabwe.

She had her first child at 14. Today only one of her four children remains a constant presence in her life as her last surviving son left for South Africa at the height of the violence in 2008, never to be heard from again. She still hopes that he will reappear one day, I have my doubts. (more…)