Category Archives: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Cyclone Idai, Sanctions and Capitalism

by Mafa Kwanisai Mafa

About a month ago Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique were devastated by a tropical cyclone that was described by the United Nations as one of the worst disasters ever to strike the Southern Hemisphere. Approximately 2.6 million people were affected in the three countries. Cyclone Idai hit the Mozambican port city of Beira with winds up to 170km/ph. It then proceeded inland into Zimbabwe and Malawi, flattening buildings and taking more than 1,000 people, with many others unaccounted for across the three countries. Torrential rainfall washed away road networks in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s Path Towards Neo-Liberalism and its Effects So Far

by Mafa Kwanisai Mafa

In mid-January Zimbabwe experienced violent protests triggered by the austerity measures that are being implemented by the government of Zimbabwe and by the recent hiking of fuel prices. The doctors downed their tools. Teachers and the rest of the civil servants stated that their paltry salaries have been eroded by inflation (by up to 400%) and they can no longer afford to go to work. The fuel price increases saw the public transport prices skyrocketing and the price of basic commodities going up beyond the reach of many.

The Zimbabwe Elections and the Aftermath

by Mafa Kwanisai Mafa

On 30 July 2018, Zimbabweans went for the much-awaited harmonized elections after the removal of Robert Mugabe from power by the 18 November 2017 revolution. For the first time in the history of the country there were 23 candidates in the presidential race, and for the first time many people registered to vote, especially the youth, who constitute 60% of the registered voters.

Mnangagwa wins Zimbabwe presidential elections

Incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa has been announced as winner of Zimbabwe’s July 30 presidential elections. The septuagenarian polled 50.8% of votes as against 44.3% by his closest challenger Nelson Chamisa.

Mnangagwa run on the ticket of the Zanu-PF party and is now entitled to serve a constitutional term of five years with the option to seek re-election, if he wins.

Former Zimbabwe ministers charged with corruption
