In the economic sphere the MDC‐T has demanded more accountability over missing diamond
revenues amounting to some US$300 million, and an audit of public sector employees.14
Moreover in his budgetary interventions since 2009 the MDC‐T Minister of Finance Tendai Biti
has moved away from Zanu PF’s populist approach, towards greater accountability of internal
factors in causing the economic meltdown in the country, even though some blame continues to
be placed on exogenous factors such as drought and sanctions.15
Thus in all these areas the Mugabe regime has had to face greater accountability, a condition it is
unaccustomed to. It was therefore predictable that Zanu PF, always uncomfortable in more
stable structures of accountability, would start pushing for the end of the GPA, in order to
attempt to end even the limited power sharing arrangements of the GPA. Additionally there are
additional factors that may have propelled this strategy. Firstly Mugabe’s age and health have
become a serious concern for the Zanu PF hardliners, who would prefer Mugabe at the helm of
any election campaign in the near future, because of the continued succession battles in the
party. Secondly Zanu PF is feeling stronger than it did in 2008 and perceives that the MDCs have
been weakened over the last two years. The Freedom House/MPOI opinion poll published 2011
indicated that there may be some substance to this claim, with MDC‐T suffering a drop in support
from 55% in 2009 to 38% in 2010, while Zanu PF support appears to have increased by 5% over
the same period from 12‐17%. The poll does note however that a substantial 42% of respondents
chose not to declare their vote preference, and that it ‘remains possible that the MDC‐T retains
substantial levels of hidden support.’16 Thirdly, at least until the SADC Troika summit in Zambia in
March 2011, Zanu PF felt confident of the solidarity support of the regional body, particularly
around the sanctions issue. Moreover with the AU preoccupied with events in the Ivory Coast
and North Africa, Zimbabwe had become a less contentious issue for the continental body.
Given this position Zanu PF intensified its obstructive behavior with regard to the GPA from 2010
with Mugabe giving notice in October 2010 that he was reluctant for the Inclusive Government to
go beyond the two year mark in February 2010 because of what he claimed were the ‘absolutely
foolish and stupid’ things happening in the Inclusive Government.17 Thereafter and quite
arbitrarily Mugabe made claims that the Inclusive Government must end in February 2011. In his
words:
14
Dumisani Muleya, ‘Biti wants to meet Mpofu over diamond revenues.’ Zimbabwe Independent, 4th March 2011.
15
Godfrey Kanyenze (Ed), Beyond the Enclave Economy. (Forthcoming 2011) Weaver Press/Ledriz.
16
Freedom House op cit p6.
17
‘Mugabe calls for end of unity government.’ www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx/Articled=6395 Accessed on
19/10/2010.
10