Zimbabwe’s rulers are finding that two decades of economic mismanagement and brutal repression have led them into a trap, from which there’s little chance of escape.
If they implement the political and democratic reforms needed to win the financial support the economy needs from international donors, they’re likely to lose the next election. If they don’t, their people, propelled by the extreme hardship brought about by austerity measures imposed by the International Monetary
Fund and World Bank, may remove them through an uprising. Already, a currency devaluation effected in February has slashed the value of wages by 90% in six months.
That dilemma was manifest on August 16, in full view of journalists and tourists watching from the terraces of the best-known hotel in the capital, Harare.
Below, a crowd of about 200 demonstrators, peacefully singing in protest, was violently broken up by riot police, who left a woman lying unconscious in the
middle of a major intersection. Less than an hour earlier, a court had ruled the gathering illegal. “The desperation of most Zimbabweans means that future
sustained protest movements are likely,” says Mathias Hindar, an analyst in London at Falanx Assynt, a risk consulting firm. “Continued brutal crackdowns will
thus increase the risk of Zimbabwe reaching a tipping point, similar to movements in Sudan and Algeria, where sustained protests brought down entrenched
regimes.”
A day before the protest, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube sat in his office and spoke of the country’s bright future and the weekly fuel price hikes he says are
needed to balance the budget. “We can declare victory on the fiscal front,” he said. “Everything that I say, I implement.”
That progress is hard to see at street level. In downtown Harare, vendors line cracked sidewalks in hopes of selling their meagre goods—single heads of garlic,
loose batteries, and bits of ginger. “It’s not easy, but I have to look after other members of the family, including my grandmother,” says Solomon Mufandaedza
as he crouches behind a sheet of plastic from which he displays pieces of ginger, small parcels of roasted peanuts, and a few avocados. The 22-year-old starts
selling his wares at 6am, six days a week, in Harare.
A basic refrigerator retails for the equivalent of about seven months’ gross salary for a civil servant, a member of the country’s middle class. Few can afford
to shop for such items. Ncube, a Cambridge-trained economics professor, says the situation is similar in neighbouring South Africa, where he once lived.
“That’s untrue. In South Africa, an average monthly salary for a government worker is enough to buy six refrigerators.”
There’s a lot to fix. In 2000, former President Robert Mugabe sanctioned the violent takeovers of white-owned commercial farms to bolster his support in rural
areas. The result was a collapse in exports, the rapid contraction of the economy, a series of famines, and a bout of hyperinflation that led the country to
abandon its own currency in favour of the United States dollar in 2009.
From 2010 to 2016, pay for the 400 000 government workers was raised to a level where it accounted for more than 90% of the tax revenue. The country is saddled
with US$9 billion in external debt and unable to borrow more until its arrears to international creditors, such as the World Bank ,are met. About a quarter of
the population of about 14 million, once considered to be Africa’s most educated, has emigrated.
Ncube was appointed in September last year by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded Mugabe after a coup in 2017. The Finance minister introduced an
unpopular tax on mobile money, reintroduced the Zimdollar in June, and boasts that the country has been running budget surpluses since January.
Info News
Drug Rehab Treatment Centers: How to Choose the Right Program
Choosing a drug rehab treatment center is an important decision for individuals and families facing substance use challenges. The right program can provide structure, support, therapy, and recovery planning. However, not every treatment center is the same, so it is important to understand what to compare.
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Drug rehab programs may include inpatient treatment, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, standard outpatient care, and aftercare support. The best level of care depends on the person’s substance use history, health needs, home environment, mental health concerns, and risk of relapse.
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Inpatient or residential treatment usually provides 24-hour support in a structured setting. This may be helpful for people who need a stable environment away from triggers. Outpatient treatment allows people to live at home while attending scheduled therapy sessions. This may work better for people with strong support systems and less severe needs.
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Medical detox may be needed for some substances. Detox should be supervised by qualified medical professionals because withdrawal can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. Detox alone is usually not a complete treatment plan; it is often the first step before therapy and long-term recovery work.
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A quality treatment center should offer individualized care. Addiction recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Treatment may include individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, relapse prevention planning, medication-assisted treatment when appropriate, and mental health support.
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Licensing and accreditation matter. Families should ask whether the facility is licensed in its state and whether staff members are qualified. It is also important to ask about treatment methods, patient safety, staff-to-client ratio, and emergency procedures.
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Cost is another factor. Some rehab centers accept insurance, while others require private payment. Before admission, ask for a clear explanation of costs, insurance coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, and refund policies.
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Location can also matter. Some people benefit from being close to family. Others may need distance from unhealthy environments. The right decision depends on the person’s support system and recovery goals.
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Aftercare is one of the most important parts of treatment. Recovery does not end when a program is completed. A strong discharge plan may include outpatient therapy, support groups, sober living, relapse prevention strategies, and follow-up appointments.
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This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Anyone facing substance use concerns should speak with a qualified healthcare or addiction treatment professional.
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Financial Tips & Smart Choices
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