Fights within ZANU-PF, sign of a weak opposition

7. (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. 

8. (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symbolic value and should be repealed. 

9. (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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10. (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 

(105 VIEWS)