SADC to rescue Mugabe?

ugabe and his crazy fiscal policies.
SADC’s support for the rescue package, reportedly drafted by executive secretary Tomaz Salamao, who jetted into Harare last week for a second leg of a fact-finding mission, includes – among a host of measures – a proposal to peg the Zimbabwe dollar to the SA Rand. The comprehensive rescue package is to be tabled at the SADC heads of State and government meeting in Lusaka next month.
However, the plan has rattled South African investors, who feel pegging the Zimdollar to the Rand, could cause serious collateral damage.
Details of the rescue package remain sketchy, but sources said it included a R10million lifeline to bankroll key imports such as power, food and fuel.
Most significantly for millions of suffering Zimbabweans at home and in exile, the package is said to be linked to restoring good governance and includes a new constitution, the repeal of despotic laws, the restoration of the rule of law and the cessation of State–sponsored violence against the opposition.
The package also requires that Mugabe delivers conditions conducive to a free and fair election next year.

Zanu (PF) snubs Mbeki
Meanwhile, Zanu (PF) duo Justice minister, Patrick Chinamasa and Labour minister Nicholas Goche once again snubbed SA President Thabo Mbeki and failed to turn up in Pretoria for the second round of talks with MDC counterparts Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.

New faction emerges
Zanu (PF) insiders have raised fears of an even more complex and bitter succession row as yet another faction emerged this week involving business people aligned to the party working on establishing a reformed front.
The Zimbabwean can reveal that a coterie of business people such as Dairibord chief, Antony Mandiwanza and Callisto Jokonya are already sponsoring an initiative to get rid of President Robert Mugabe and other members of the old guard. (See story P4)