HARARE —

President Robert Mugabe accused the West of driving Zimbabwe toward misery as a result of sanctions as the contest to rule the ailing former British colony entered the final stretch.

In his most outspoken attack to date on the former colonial power and the United States, Mugabe said they were responsible for the chronic problems which are now afflicting the health service in a country where even bandages and painkillers are scarce and where from where most doctors have emigrated.

As one of his two challengers said the country needed a period of healing and reconciliation, Mugabe insisted it “will never die.”

“Our detractors have tried to derail our efforts, but the unity and resourcefulness of our people have always triumphed,” Mugabe said on a tour of Harare’s main hospital.

“The British, the Americans and those who think like them, would rather see our children, the old and the infirm suffer under the weight of their evil sanctions they have imposed as part of their desire to effect the regime change in our country. As a country, we march on unfettered.”

The European Union and United States both imposed a package of sanctions against Mugabe and his inner circle after he allegedly rigged his re-election in 2002.

While the sanctions, which include measures such as a freezing of bank accounts and a ban on travel, are designed not to affect the population as a whole, Mugabe has often blamed them for the country’s economic woes.

Saturday’s joint parliamentary and presidential elections, when Mugabe is hoping to secure a sixth term in office, are being held against a backdrop of an economic meltdown characterized by an inflation rate of more than 100,000% and an unemployment rate of over 80%.

Even the most basic foodstuffs such as cooking oil and sugar are now scarce in what was once the region’s breadbasket.

The collapse of the country is amply illustrated in the health sector where the average life expectancy has now dropped to 37, one of the lowest in the world.

According to a report by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) on Thursday, the health sector has vacancy rates of up to 70% as a result of a massive brain drain.

Mugabe, who has ruled uninterrupted since independence, said his country could no longer afford vital equipment such as drugs as a result of the “inhuman and insensitive, declared and undeclared sanctions”.

With relations at an all-time low, Mugabe has banned Western countries from sending teams to monitor Saturday’s polls which see him pitched against former finance minister Simba Makoni and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Vote monitors from countries such as China, Iran and Kenya have been instead been invited to observe Saturday’s proceedings.

The opposition says that Mugabe is systematically trying to steal the election, pointing to the deployment of police officers in polling stations in contravention of an earlier agreement as proof of rigging.

Tendai Biti, secretary general of Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), accused Mugabe on Thursday of enlisting the services of Israeli computer experts with links to the intelligence agency Mossad to doctor the voters’ roll.

“We are getting, by the second, evidence of the manner in which Mugabe and his cronies are assaulting this election,” said Biti at a press conference.

“Mugabe intends to steal this election .. .through the technical assault. They are thoroughly organized, thoroughly computerised. The voters’ roll and technology is the key vehicle of fraud which they intend to use.”

At a rally on Wednesday, Mugabe dismissed talk of rigging as “lies”.

Meanwhile, Makoni, who left government in 2002 as the country began its downward slide, said he would make restoring the economy and banishing a climate of fear his top priorities were he to oust Mugabe.

But he warned that there could be no quick-fix for the economy given the accumulated damage.

“This is not about the first six months after March 29 or even the first five years ... it could range from 10 to 15 years,” he said.

AFP

6 Comments

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  umbrella at 08:19 AM JST - 28th March

  How long before the old git dies?? Then Zimbabwe can be restored to something like it's former self.

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  Altria at 11:31 AM JST - 28th March

  Nice one, Bob.

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  adaydream at 01:02 PM JST - 28th March

  The people of Zimbabwe have suffered for way too long. Again a dumbass leader has taken it's country straight down the gutter.

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  sukebeoyagi at 01:16 PM JST - 28th March

  ..and remains unchallenged as he buys arms from the UK and the US. Not unlike Saudia Arabia, he's a customer first and foremost...

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  as_the_crow_flies at 08:49 PM JST - 28th March

  What a tw#t! I wish Zimbabweans well in their long slow wait for this dangerous idiot to go, so they can get a chance to try and restore their country to what it was shortly post-liberation. It's gone down the tubes as Mugabe tries to cover his own b#tt for 20 years of increasingly corrupt, divisive, spiteful, reminiscent of apartheid, incompetent and paranoid rule.

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  flammenwerfer at 09:18 PM JST - 28th March

  He is in his 80's can't be too long now before he dies...it cant come soon enough. Rhodesia was founded by one of the most industrious, hardest working men ever and now look at it.

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