HARARE – President Robert Mugabe’s unrestrained weekend lash out at his former deputy — Joice Mujuru — during celebrations to mark his 91 years was regrettable and worrying. Mugabe addressed Mujuru disparagingly on an occasion most Zimbabweans had hoped the nonagenarian leader would choose to build confidence both politically and economically. This was an important…
HARARE – Despite spirited denials by President Robert Mugabe, it is clear that the First Lady Grace Mugabe’s counsel is now of first importance in changing the tide of affairs in Zimbabwe. Fervently Christian but ruthless by reputation, Grace has never sought to deny exercising political influence on her doddering husband. By Mugabe’s own admission,…
HARARE – The first ever African president I ever saw being inaugurated was Kenneth David Kaunda of Zambia in 1964. He was in power until 1991, when he lost an election to the pint-sized former trade unionist, Frederick Chiluba. There was no limit to how long Kaunda would have remained in power. Kaunda was initially…
HARARE – Everyone pretends to know President Robert Mugabe yet his true character and personality will remain a puzzle not only for his contemporaries but for future historians and the general public. He is a recognised but highly misunderstood brand. Even the people who purport to know him better than others principally due to proximity…
HARARE – Thanks to the State media, we were alerted on Monday evening to a strong Twitter posting by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Senegal and Gambia, one Trudy Stevenson, regarding an article that we published recently about the tragic death of a Zimbabwean woman in Guinea, last year. “@DailyNewsZim This article is a disgrace to yr…
HARARE – On January 14, 2015 Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa increased duty on the importation of fuel hardly a week after new Energy minister Samuel Undenge had ordered fuel dealers to reduce the pump price in line with falling world oil prices. Global oil prices had tumbled to a six-year low with brent crude oil…
LONDON – Not so long ago, President Robert Mugabe thumped a table in apparent fury at reports of festering corruption. But events in Zanu PF show that the party is not serious about corruption at all. If anything, corruption seems to be a benefit of patronage. There is little surprise to notice the shameful level…
HARARE – Our current economic situation presents a case peculiar to us alone. We have experienced a situation and travelled a journey unique not only in Africa but the world at large. Imagine the years of economic strife. As a result, our industry is facing serious productivity challenges. For the past decade, the call to…
HARARE – If President Robert Mugabe still has some conscience left in him, then he must kindly cancel the massive birthday celebrations he is planning for next Saturday in the resort town of Victoria Falls and use the over $1 million to be blown there for more important needs like healthcare. To imagine that this…
HARARE – It can be said without gainsay that Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has in many occasions not shied away from controversy in the way he has sought to tackle very important political and social issues. One such area has been the clear expression of his disposition towards disability. This is going to be the…
