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| Zimbabwe civil servants protest as economy deteriorates | Zimbabwe civil servants protest as economy deteriorates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Inflation, droughts and power cuts are causing ‘a real crisis of existence’, demonstrators say | Inflation, droughts and power cuts are causing ‘a real crisis of existence’, demonstrators say |
| Civil servants in Zimbabwe are demanding higher pay as economic conditions in the southern African country continue to deteriorate. | Civil servants in Zimbabwe are demanding higher pay as economic conditions in the southern African country continue to deteriorate. |
| Growing discontent in the public sector is a further challenge to the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as it struggles to battle soaring inflation, collapsing confidence in the country’s multiple currencies, the effects of an acute drought and rolling power cuts. | Growing discontent in the public sector is a further challenge to the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as it struggles to battle soaring inflation, collapsing confidence in the country’s multiple currencies, the effects of an acute drought and rolling power cuts. |
| A small group of civil servants marched in Harare, the capital, on Wednesday. Authorities allowed the demonstration but deployed a heavy police presence. | A small group of civil servants marched in Harare, the capital, on Wednesday. Authorities allowed the demonstration but deployed a heavy police presence. |
| Organisers of the protest talked about “a real crisis of existence”. | Organisers of the protest talked about “a real crisis of existence”. |
| David Dzatsunga, the secretary general of the Apex Council, a grouping of government workers’ unions representing 230,000 employees, said civil servants should be described as “civil slaves”. | |
| “No matter what happens, we have made a statement as civil servants [today] that we are dying and we are dying slowly,” he said. “Even others who were supposed to march with us in solidarity cannot come. I don’t know what we should do. I think our conversations must now be around what is it we should do as workers in this country. Our situation is dire.” | |
| Inflation in Zimbabwe has reached 175% and basic goods – including food and medicine – are increasingly rare. Fuel prices have quadrupled since the start of the year. | Inflation in Zimbabwe has reached 175% and basic goods – including food and medicine – are increasingly rare. Fuel prices have quadrupled since the start of the year. |
| Obert Masaraure, leader of Artuz, which represents rural teachers, said that many of his union’s members earned less than US$40 (£31) per month, barely enough to buy flour, sugar and cooking oil for a family of four. | Obert Masaraure, leader of Artuz, which represents rural teachers, said that many of his union’s members earned less than US$40 (£31) per month, barely enough to buy flour, sugar and cooking oil for a family of four. |
| “Our members are severely incapacitated. They can’t afford the basics,” Masaraure said. | “Our members are severely incapacitated. They can’t afford the basics,” Masaraure said. |
| Mnangagwa took power after Robert Mugabe, the former president, was ousted in a military takeover nearly two years ago. | Mnangagwa took power after Robert Mugabe, the former president, was ousted in a military takeover nearly two years ago. |
| Mnangagwa, a former spy chief, won a disputed election in 2018 with a pledge to revive the economy, tackle widespread corruption and end the country’s international isolation. | Mnangagwa, a former spy chief, won a disputed election in 2018 with a pledge to revive the economy, tackle widespread corruption and end the country’s international isolation. |
| The government has launched a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the economy, and earlier this week the Zimbabwe anti-corruption commission (Zacc) detained a cabinet minister for abuse of office alleged to have cost the government $3.7m. Officials at the commission said further arrests could be expected. | The government has launched a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the economy, and earlier this week the Zimbabwe anti-corruption commission (Zacc) detained a cabinet minister for abuse of office alleged to have cost the government $3.7m. Officials at the commission said further arrests could be expected. |
| However, Mnangagwa has been either unable or unwilling to push through measures that might have convinced investors and multilateral institutions to provide the funds to resuscitate the economy. | |
| A spokesperson for the Movement for Democratic Change, the main opposition party, said the graft charges were a ‘publicity stunt’. | A spokesperson for the Movement for Democratic Change, the main opposition party, said the graft charges were a ‘publicity stunt’. |
| In an attempt to break a strike by medical staff, who also want a pay rise, the government fired 77 doctors earlier this week. | In an attempt to break a strike by medical staff, who also want a pay rise, the government fired 77 doctors earlier this week. |
| Piers Pigou, an expert at the International Crisis Group, said the move was aimed at making clear that protest would have consequences. | Piers Pigou, an expert at the International Crisis Group, said the move was aimed at making clear that protest would have consequences. |
| “There’s a fear factor involved. The government clampdown on doctors is intended to send a message. People are hunkering down. It’s all survival at the moment,” Pigou said. | “There’s a fear factor involved. The government clampdown on doctors is intended to send a message. People are hunkering down. It’s all survival at the moment,” Pigou said. |
| Many of the economic problems are a legacy of decades of mismanagement under Mugabe, who died in September. | Many of the economic problems are a legacy of decades of mismanagement under Mugabe, who died in September. |
| The rising prices reminded many of the economic collapse a decade ago, when hyperinflation emptied shelves of basic foodstuffs and led the country to abandon its currency. | The rising prices reminded many of the economic collapse a decade ago, when hyperinflation emptied shelves of basic foodstuffs and led the country to abandon its currency. |
| In January, Mnangagwa announced an increase in fuel prices of more than 100%, triggering widespread protests that left at least 17 people dead and scores injured when soldiers opened fire on the strikers. | |
| The situation in rural areas is particularly bad, aid workers in Zimbabwe said, though there is growing evidence of widespread malnutrition in cities too. | The situation in rural areas is particularly bad, aid workers in Zimbabwe said, though there is growing evidence of widespread malnutrition in cities too. |
| A government document early this year said about 7.5 million people – about half of the country’s population – in both rural and urban areas would require emergency food aid between February 2019 and March next year. | A government document early this year said about 7.5 million people – about half of the country’s population – in both rural and urban areas would require emergency food aid between February 2019 and March next year. |
| Additional reporting by Nyasha Chingono in Harare | Additional reporting by Nyasha Chingono in Harare |
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