The Insider

The poultry business had become so lucrative at the height of the country’s economic crisis that Air Zimbabwe and the Civil Aviation Authority decided to get into the business and fly out day-old chicks to earn forex.

(66 VIEWS)

Though most members of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front, especially those from the Mujuru faction, have wanted President Robert Mugabe to go for some time, Mugabe has managed to maintain his control over the party through patronage and fear, according to Wikileaks.

(153 VIEWS)

Air Zimbabwe was allowed to hike its fares by an average of 330 percent at the beginning of 2008, barely two months after the last increase, but domestic fares were reported to be 800 percent below cost, making it cheaper to fly than travel by bus.

(62 VIEWS)

Travellers from Lusaka to Harare were forced to make the six-journey via Johannesburg because of concerns about Air Zimbabwe’s safety following the suspension of flights by Zambian Airways.

(62 VIEWS)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela asked President Robert Mugabe to step down in 2007 so that he could preserve his legacy as a liberation hero but Mugabe is reported to have disparaged Mandela as a “Western puppet”.

(179 VIEWS)

Air Zimbabwe, which had its fares slashed by more than half was allowed to increase its fares four months later with a round trip from Johannesburg to Harare increasing from Z$84 million to Z$195 million.

(61 VIEWS)

President Robert Mugabe genuinely fears hanging if he leaves office, former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell five years ago.

(115 VIEWS)

Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told United States ambassador Christopher Dell that Emmerson Mnangagwa, considered one of the front-runners to succeed President Robert Mugabe, was too loyal to Mugabe to upset the cart.

(313 VIEWS)

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, who the state-owned media repeatedly said had been deployed to Zimbabwe to remove President Robert Mugabe, was disillusioned by the Movement for Democratic Change when his tour ended and said that talent below the top ranks was thin. The only exceptions were Tendai Biti and Nelson Chamisa now both ministers in the inclusive government.

(81 VIEWS)