But political analysts say it is too late. The desperate Zanu (PF) regime has spent huge sums on local and imported equipment, which minister of agricultural mechanization, Joseph Made, confirmed this week was due for distribution as phase three of the programme started last year.
Investigations by The Zimbabwean revealed that, in addition to spending more than U$5 million on importing equipment, Mugabe has also spent more than Z$500 trilllion on locally produced ox-drawn ploughs and scotch carts.
The bulk of the imported equipment came from China, one of the few friends of the Mugabe regime. A senior RBZ official said; “Gono went on a massive forex-buying spree starting late last year to raise the funds required. That triggered huge rises in foreign exchange rates but that didn’t matter to him and Mugabe because their major aim is winning another election. Huge amounts of bearer cheques were printed and disbursed to agents who went onto the black market to hoard forex.”
Gono’s personal assistant said, “Dr Gono is unable to respond right now, he will get back to you.”
Political commentators scoffed at Mugabe’s plans arguing that no amount of bribery can appease the electorate given the hyperinflation, food shortages and other signs of economic collapse.
Post published in: News