Surrounded by Destitution, New Zim Government treats itself to flush new cars

Moses Mudzwiti

Zim's new unity government makes its priorities clear

ZIMBABWE'S new unity government has splashed out on new cars and office furniture for its ministers and top officials, The Zimbabwe Times reports. The move comes as the country cries out for money from its neighbours. The government's spending frenzy has been extended to the security forces, notably the police.

At the weekend, police superintendents in Harare received state-sponsored power generators. There are about 150 superintendents. Lower-ranked police officers have been issued with two-wheeled carts.

On Friday, transport ministry officials confirmed that new vehicles were being delivered to government ministers. President Robert Mugabe, who turned 85 on Saturday, has added 10 more ministries to the 31 agreed to in September.

So far, 19 deputy ministers have been appointed. Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai have two deputies each.

Before the MDC-T joined the unity government, Tsvangirai's party campaigned for a leaner cabinet of only 15 ministers.

In only a week, Mugabe appears to have succeeded in altering the MDC's perspective on government spending.

Several years ago a similar kitting-out of cabinet ministers cost the government more than US$ 200- million.

In recent weeks, Zimbabwe's cash-strapped government has raised the cost of its services astronomically.

For example, car number plates cost US$ 200 (R2000) and getting a Zimbabwean passport can set you back as much as US$ 600.

This week the government will ask visiting UN officials and other donors to fund teachers' salaries.

A good number of teachers quit more than two years ago, citing poor pay.

As a result, the government was considering a general amnesty for errant teachers, meaning they would not have to reapply for their jobs.

Teachers have rejected the government's US$ 100 shopping vouchers, insisting instead on salaries of US$ 2 300.

New education minister David Coltart has appealed to all teachers to return to their classes today.

The country's cholera death toll continues to rise unabated.

More than 3700 people are known to have succumbed to the easily treatable disease.