Tag: Self-Cencorship
World Bank Statement on Zimbabwe (08.09.2016)

The World Bank Group is committed to work with all partner countries, including Zimbabwe, to achieve their long term development goals. We care deeply about the well-being of the people of Zimbabwe.
Contrary to what has been reported in some media, Zimbabwe is not currently eligible for financing under IDA’s turnaround facility. The Zimbabwe Turnaround Eligibility Assessment Note that was leaked to some outlets is an unofficial draft document that has not been approved by the Bank.
The World Bank will only resume direct lending to Zimbabwe when the issue of arrears is resolved. This approach is standard to all International Financial Institutions. Upon arrears clearance, Zimbabwe would be eligible as a borrowing member of the Bank to a broad range of financing instruments.
Footage: In Harare today the Riot Police disperse the #Tajamuka demonstration!
“A group of #Tajamuka/Sesjikile protestors demonstrated in Harare today 09/09/16 against Statutory Instrument 101A. The protest is against an attempt by the executive arm of the state, to usurp judicial powers and compromise the independence of the judiciary. The political judgement by Injustice Bhunu which attempted to convict human rights defenders is one symptom of judiciary compromisation.Riot police fired teagas to disperse #Tajamuka/Sesijikile protesters” (Tajamuka/Sesjikile TV, 2016).
Second Clip:
Zimbabwe: Hon. Chinamasa paints a dark economic picture in the 2016 Mid-Year report!

Hon. P.A. Chinamasa had to report about the current state of Fiscal and Economic Status in the Zimbabwean Parliament today. The report of his speech and numbers are not a wonderful picture. I have quoted the numbers that is most interesting.
The Agricultural and Mining shows how the different economic place the output is. Especially the loss of output and the yields of grain in the current year in Zimbabwe have been dire. The levels of debt, payments of the debt and the loans can be seen as “vicious cycle” from the Government and how they will act upon this. Let’s take a look at the numbers!
Gold Mining:
“Already, notable gains were registered in the gold sector during the first half of 2016, also benefitting from capacitation of small scale miners through the US$100 million mechanisation facility organised by Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” (Chinamasa, P:12, 2016).
Currency Vows:
“Honourable Members will also be aware of recent initiatives by the Reserve Bank to ease tight liquidity constraints through promotion of plastic money, e-banking services, and broader use of multi-currencies, among other measures” (Chinamasa, P:13, 2016).
Maize Program:
“During the first half of the year, Government introduced a US$500 million Special Maize Production Programme which targets utilisation of 400 000 hectares of land, with registration of interested qualifying farmers currently underway” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).
More on Grain:
“This year’s estimated maize grain harvest of 511 816 tons falls short of the normal national grain requirement of 2.2 million tons” (…) “Government interventions to provide for the national maize grain deficit of 1.7 million tons are being complemented by private sector and development partners’ imports” (Chinamasa, P:75, 2016).
Brazil food program:
“This complements such other facilities as the US$98 million More Food for Africa Programme supported by Brazil, under which farmers’ access, on a cost recovery basis, farm equipment and implements. This includes tractors, disc harrows, fertilizer spreaders, boom sprayers, among other equipment” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).
National Budget 2017:
“Government will take advantage of the forthcoming 2017 National Budget to propose some of the necessary measures to address any emerging gaps in order to remain on course towards the realisation of the further advancement of our Zim Asset agenda” (Chinamasa, P:18, 2016)

Economy 2016:
“the economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 National Budget anticipated” (Chinamasa, P:19, 2016).
Reasons for the struggling economy:
“Depressed international commodity prices, particularly for our minerals” (…) “Limited domestic and foreign direct investment, also associated with our debt overhang” (…) “The growing fiscal deficit, also impacting on the liquidity of the financial system, as well as on business activity” (…) “The resultant overall fall in incomes and weakening of domestic aggregate demand” (Chinamasa, P:18-19, 2016).
The Reversed projections of worrying numbers are -4.2% on Agricultural Output in 2016, the same with the Electricity and Water Output -21,8% and also the -5% Public Administration. Instead of scheduled GDP on 2.7; it’s projected instead to be 1.2; which is about the same as the 2015 numbers, but really shaved since 2013-2014 (4.5 and 3.8) – (Chinamasa, P: 19, 2016).
Inflation:
“Annual headline inflation remained negative, albeit accelerating from -2.19% in January 2016 to -1.4% in June 2016. The continued decline in prices in 2016 was driven by both food and non-food inflation, underpinned by the sustained depreciation of the South African rand; subdued international oil prices; and waning domestic demand” (…) “Annual food inflation, which averaged -4% over the period January to June 2016, was weighed down by declines in the prices of meat; bread and cereals, milk, cheese and eggs, oils and fats; and vegetables, among others, owing to improved supplies and competition from cheaper imports” (…) “Declines in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furniture and household equipment; transport; clothing and footwear among others, however, continued to weigh down on non-food inflation” (Chinamasa, P:20, 2016).
Budget deficit:
“During the period January to June 2016, revenue under-performance against over-expenditures resulted in a cumulative budget deficit of about US$623.2 million, far above the full-year target of US$150 million”. By June the total revenue: $1.692.4 billion and the total expenses: $2.315.6 billion; which means the target by June 2016 is $623.2 million that is over $475 million deficit (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016).
Projected Deficit:
“Failure to contain the budget deficit in the shortest possible time will worsen the deficit to an estimated year-end level of over US$1 billion” (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016)
Vicious Cycle:
“lack of capacity to service domestic debt has also seen roll-overs, which are posing some financial risks on domestic debt instrument holders and domestic financial institutions” (…) “This situation, unfortunately, is not tenable and is undermining the stability of the financial sector and overall economy” (…) “Government borrowing is also crowding out lending to the private sector and, hence, stifling new domestic investment and growth” (…) “This is creating a vicious cycle, whereby excessive Government borrowing leads to poor performance of the private sector and, in turn, diminished future tax revenues” (Chinamasa, P: 38, 2016).
Government Salaries:
“During the first six months of this year, pay dates of the public service, grant-aided institutions and pensioners have had to be periodically rescheduled from normal programmed pay dates as a result of resource constraints“ (…) “the staggering of 2015 bonus payments that stretched into July 2016 resulted in difficulties in paying the June salaries on time, thereby forcing Government to shift the pay dates into July” (…) “The Public Service pay dates cycles have since been modified by spreading payment of the monthly wage bill over six payment dates from the previous four payment dates” (Chinamasa, P: 39, 2016).
Government debt:
“The country faces a huge external debt overhang of around US$7.5 billion as at end of June 2016, with arrears accounting for almost 80% of the debt” (…) “the debt overhang is militating against the country’s efforts to mobilise reasonably priced long-term lines of credit” (…) “Clearance of arrears and unlocking of new financing will require that Zimbabwe builds capacity to honour old and new debt obligations to IFIs and other bilateral and new lenders” (Chinamasa, P: 40-41, 2016).
“Total external debt of Public Enterprises that has been guaranteed by the Government is estimated at USD$2 billion as at end June 2016. Public Enterprises are failing to service their debt and all the guarantees of US$2 billion have been called up” (…) “This has contributed to an increase of Government arrears by US$1.75 billion (25% of total external debt), further worsening the country’s low credit worthiness” (Chinasa, P:211, 2016).
Cash Strapped:
“the banking sector was exposed to cash shortages, largely as a result of macro-economic challenges facing the country, including lack of fiscal space and the current account deficit” (Chinamasa, P:45, 2016).
Import-Level:
“The still relatively high import level has also meant a high current account deficit, which is estimated at US$2.5 billion during the first half of the year, and constituting 12% of GDP” (Chinamasa, P: 67, 2016).

This numbers are showing how bad it really is, the debt and loans. The deficit of earning and the burden of the expenditure towards the fiscal revenue show the lacking fiscal responsible economy.
The fiscal deficit and the cash-strapped economy show the legitimate worry, together with the current monthly loans and debt. Not only adding debt when also having enough economy to pay the old debt. Together with issues gathering possible new loans as the Low Credit Worthiness.
The other is also the inflation of prices and such is a reaction towards the missing cash and debt burden. As also the problems of fiscal funding and creates more debt for the Republic of Zimbabwe.
I think the numbers speak for themselves. Don’t you think? Peace.
Reference:
Hon. P.A. Chinamasa – ‘THE 2016 MID-YEAR FISCAL POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT “Improving Investor Confidence to Enhance Productivity” PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE ON 8 SEPTEMBER, 2016 (08.09.2016)
Zimbabwe: Opposition leader Tendai Biti urges for ‘broad coalition’ as 2018 poll approaches (Youtube-Clip)
Zimbabwe President Invokes ‘Enough Is Enough” Slogan Back On Protestors (Youtube-Clip)
“After his long awaited return Saturday, after rumors of ill-health, Zimbabwe President called for an end to protests saying “enough is enough.” Addressing youth at his Zanu-PF party’s headquarters, President Mugabe attacked the country’s judiciary for granting permission to protestors” (VOAZimbabwe, 2016)
Mystery of President Mugabe trip to UAE/Dubai and why it is really troublesome!

It is just weird how things go, that the ageing President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe left for Swaziland for a South African Development Community Head of State Summit and left the kingdom for no-apparent reason, instead of coming home. This just happens as the citizens are reacting to the abolishment of demonstrations from the Harare Police of the Central Business District in the Capital are denouncing demonstrations for two weeks.
This happens as the Zimbabweans we’re making ready for the third #ZimShutDown where even the buses of Harare wasn’t going and other shops we’re closed in solidarity with the peaceful public disobedience towards the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) and their aging leader.
The Zimbabwe Shutdown 3.0 was still occurring as the speculations of why he didn’t arrive home and went away.
Default Explanation:
“According to online flight data, Mugabe landed in Dubai at 7:20AM local time, after taking off on a chartered Air Zimbabwe plane, Boeing 767-2N0 (ER) UM1 at Harare International Airport at 10:45PM on Tuesday” (…) “This was about three hours after touching down from Swaziland, where he left the 35th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, which ended yesterday” (…) “Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba” (…) “saying he rather left the media dwell and delight on “a default explanation” that his boss was ill” (…) “Each time you people don’t know the purpose of the President’s visit there is always a default explanation that he is ill” (…) “So the life of the President springs between a known mission and illness. If I don’t tell you the purpose, it should be illness” (…) “I will not give you the purpose of the President visit to run away from the default explanation. This is not new. It is year in, year out; he is sick, he died and resurrects. His life until age of 92 revolves around illness and death” (NewsdzeZimbabwe, 2016).

Certain rumours the Zanu-PF doesn’t want out is that the son of Mugabe, Robert Mugabe Junior had been partying hard in Dubai and we’re taken by Local Police on Drug Related incident in the place to be for the wealthy. So the President travelled to Dubai to bail out his son.
The issue was that no information we’re giving for the flights, has even before the SADC Heads of State the same plane had hit the Nairobi and such. The reports that it had been in Nairobi on the 26th August 2016, so the issues of having a President that isn’t anywhere or anywhere where the Civil Servants will know or even Parliament of Zimbabwe will know.
This happens as the President briefly just left the Summit and we’re supposed to pass by Singapore and instead left for United Arab Emirates (UAE)… or as many says Dubai. When the people don’t have any knowledge of the reason or quest the ideas keeps coming. President Mugabe has fallen asleep while having Press Conference with Japanese dignitaries; so what his true mental state and health situation is not easy to know, because that is not a good look for any honourable to fall asleep amidst cameras and journalists.
The issue also was the last information on the 1st September was the plane had left Zimbabwe on the 29th August, but no information of any flights after that. As the landing in Dubai was the last and not Singapore as somebody expected, even was more expected to be able to hold-out a Summit in the fellowship of SADC.
That is something the older President Mugabe cannot handle right now. As he had to go to Dubai, either to bail-out his groomed son or going to hospital.
What matters is how he waste the government funds on travel, doesn’t take care of domestic business at the regional summit, because it is more important with his own family as the economic situation is ailing. He still see fit to pay for the flights, the charges of having a aircraft on the Dubai International Airport and also covering the days spent in the not in-expensive city in the UAE. This shows the level of using the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as his personal ATM.
The proof of little accountability of the man is with the reasoning of the spokesperson who claims it happens because of his age, partly true, partly wished by some and also worry by the Elite who eats of the ticket of the aging President; the reality is that the action and depleted economic foundation as the President continues to blame others than his own inaction. He has had the time to leave a policy and economic fundament for growth. If had the wish to, but instead has grabbed ever single opportunity to loot as the liberator he is.
The proof of that is how he used the planes in recent days without any thorough explanation or consideration as most of the men and woman in Zimbabwe has enough with the day-to-day. They cannot all of sudden take an Airplane and leave for exotic destinations.

But then, there haven’t been in the interest of Zanu-PF to be accountable as the Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, been lodging for months at a Hotel and paid for food there on the government accounts. The proof of the not caring about Tax-Payers monies comes from the President that apparently can just fly away for days and pay for services of any kind in Dubai, United Arab Emirates without any consideration of cost. So the system is in place to wreck the economy for the Zanu-PF elite and let the people be left alone.
So the accountability, transparency and the little knowledge of the reason for the travel is the main concern, together with the cost of travel and lodging as the facilitation has to come from Central Government and the hampering of the initial codes of conduct. The sudden flight and the strange how little accountable the President has to.
President Mugabe can do as he pleases and Spokesmen has to make any kind of suggestion and answer as he doesn’t care. Mugabe has gotten away with any kind of behaviour and doesn’t respect the will of the people, because his own will and power is what matters. He talks Zanu-PF party, but when he does speak that he means himself. The same he does when he speaks for the Zimbabweans and wanting him in charge. It isn’t the will of Zimbabweans who wants that, they want a government that actually cares and wants to try to deliver. Not a government that uses government funds on the elite and doesn’t care for making sure there are jobs and food security for citizens. This is really lost! It is such a lost cause under the current leadership and the current President Mugabe. Peace.
Reference:
Newsdzezimbabwe – ‘Mystery over Mugabe Dubai Trip (01.09.2016) link: http://www.newsdzezimbabwe.co.uk/2016/09/mystery-over-mugabe-dubai-trip.html
Zimbabwe’s opposition prepares to challenge ban on demonstrations (Youtube-Clip)
“A coalition of Zimbabwe’s opposition parties are preparing to challenge the police’s temporary ban on demonstrations. Police on Thursday gazetted a two week prohibition of demonstrations within the capital’s Central Business District. It follows months of often violent protests over President Mugabe’s leadership” (SABC Digital News, 2016)
Patson Dzamara: ‘What we want is to decapitate this monster called Robert Mugabe’ (Youtube-Clip)
“The brother of missing activist Itai Dzamara, says Zimbabwe has reached a watershed moment and the time for change has come” (Zimbabwe Newsday, 2016)
Zimbabwe: Public Order and Security (Temporary Prohibition of Public Demonstrations in the Central Business Districts of the Harare Central Police District) Order, 2016 (01.09.2016)


