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Mugabe vows food import rush
06/03/2008 08:41 - (SA)
Mahusekwa - Zimbabwe is seeking
to rush in maize imports from Southern African states, President
Robert Mugabe told an election rally on Wednesday, saying the
country faced an emergency.
Concerns over widespread food shortages deepened after a
government report on Tuesday showed Zimbabwe would fail to meet
its targeted harvest this year, further highlighting the plight
of an economy gripped by hyper-inflation.
"Maize is there (in Zambia) ... but we are having problems
moving it," Mugabe told about 8 000 party supporters during a
campaign rally in Mahusekwa, a rural settlement 70km
south of the capital Harare.
"We sought permission from the Zambian government to send
our people to load the maize into trucks because we have already
paid for it," said Mugabe.
Highest inflation
"We have 150 000 tonnes in Zambia and more than 300 000
tonnes in Malawi and a few thousands from South Africa. We have
an emergency because we have areas that face shortages."
Mugabe also promised to tackle escalating prices of basic
goods, review the salaries of teachers who frequently strike
over low pay, and give more equipment to farmers resettled under
a controversial land reform programme.
Economists say the government's seizure of white-owned farms
to resettle landless blacks has deepened the economic crisis.
The March 29 election presents Mugabe with one of the
biggest challenges to his rule since taking office in 1980.
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni was expelled from the
ruling Zanu-PF last month after deciding to run against Mugabe
as an independent. He has been backed by senior party politburo
member Dumiso Dabengwa, a major blow to Mugabe.
The defections may have bruised Mugabe, a former liberation
hero Western foes accuse of human rights abuses and ruining the
country's economy, allegations he denies.
But the wily 84-year-old leader could still capitalise on
the opposition's failure to unite, analysts say.
Makoni has suggested he has the backing of many senior
Zanu-PF officials but there is no sign of this.
"You do not just fall from nowhere and declare yourself a
presidential candidate. That is what Makoni did. The power of
leadership comes from the people," Mugabe told his rally.
His other main challenger is long-time rival Morgan
Tsvangirai, leader of the biggest faction of the divided main
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
All three election candidates have promised to tackle the
economic crisis but they have produced few concrete proposals to
ease hardships worsening by the day.
While the campaign hots up, ordinary Zimbabweans are more
concerned with chronic food and fuel shortages and the world's
highest inflation rate of over 100 000%.
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