- (C) Economic Recovery. Mudarikwa said a primary focus should
be communal lands where 80 percent of Zimbabweans live. Before the
economy collapsed, he said the communal areas produced 80 percent
of farm output consumed in the country. (NOTE: These numbers are
indicative but not accurate. More than 30 percent of Zimbabweans
live in urban areas, so somewhat less than 80 percent live on
communal lands. But communal lands have long been the main source
of Zimbabwe’s domestic food supply. END NOTE.) Production
dramatically decreased with the collapse of the economy as small
farmers were no longer able to access inputs. Another factor was
the Grain Marketing Board’s requirement that crops be sold to it.
It then failed to pay farmers. Mudarikwa stated that international
assistance would be necessary to resuscitate the economy. But lesser
steps were important. He volunteered that the Ambassador’s
Self Help Program had once been present in communal areas. It was
a powerful indication of U.S. interest in helping Zimbabweans, and
was of tremendous assistance to those who benefitted from projects.
- (C) Sanctions and ZDERA. Mudarikwa said sanctions on
individuals should remain if justified by the behavior of these
individuals. Sanctions on parastatals that were contributing or
could contribute to the economy should be lifted. With regard to
ZDERA, Mudarikwa acknowledged that the IMF and World Bank had
ceased activities in Zimbabwe before ZDERA was enacted. The
economy was already on a downhill trajectory because of misguided
economic policies and the disastrous land reform policy. But the
passage of ZDERA was like slashing an already deflating tire. Many
Zimbabweans viewed ZDERA as an attempt to hurt them when they were
already suffering. As such, said Mudarikwa, ZDERA has a large
symbolic value and should be repealed.
- (C) Diamonds. Mudarikwa sits on the Parliamentary Portfolio
Committee on Mines and Energy which has been holding hearings on
Chiadzwa (Ref B). He said Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu was a
crook. The committee had discovered irregularities in the
partnerships of the Zimbabwe Minerals Development to form Mbada and
Canadile and illegal appointments by Mpofu to the Mbada board of
directors.
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COMMENT
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- (C) Mudarikwa’s comments on ZANU-PF are representative of a
large part of the party. There is little doubt that if a secret
party election were held, Mugabe and his inner circle would lose
their positions. But Mugabe, aided by the securocrats and through
fear, still has control. On sanctions and ZDERA, most ZANU-PF
members, even moderates, tell us they believe sanctions, especially
on parastatals, and ZDERA have hurt the economy (though they
cannot cite evidence for this claim). Mudarikwa’s view is more
nuanced than most. Mudarikwa’s view on ZDERA is what many in the
MDC-T have been telling us: It is serving no real purpose other
than to provide a convenient whipping boy for ZANU-PF.
END COMMENT
RAY
(120 VIEWS)
