25 days after the signing of a power sharing agreement in Zimbabwe, there is still stalemate on the allocation of cabinet posts. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans struggle with inflation at 231 million per cent.

“Presently one in 10 Zimbabweans is employed while the rest live on remittances, informal trade and all sorts of survival tricks that sadly include crime and other social vices”, explains Mandla Akhe Dube. 

The food situation has deteriorated, Zimbabwe’s two teachers’ unions are calling for the 2008 academic year to be written off as so little learning took place in the country’s schools, health services are ill-equipped and dysfunctional, and the incidence of hunger-related disease like kwashiorkor and pellagra are rising steadily. 

“Zimbabwe’s future hangs in the balance pending a political settlement.”

Read full update on the current situation in Zimbabwe

15 October 2008