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The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, John Mangudya, seems positively pleased with the latest price increases of basic commodities. He said they show the economy is not doing badly.

Dr Mangudya says: ‘The reason businesses are increasing prices is that people have money. If people did not have money they would not increase prices.’ (See: https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/31/people-have-money-thats-why-businesses-increased-prices-mangudya-on-recent-price-increases/.)

This must be the clever thinking than earned Mangudya his doctorate. Coincidentally, it fits in with Comrade Mnangagwa’s rosy view of the past year, which he portrayed as a great leap forward.

Addressing the Zanu PF Central Committee, President Mnangagwa said: ‘Indisputable success continues to be scored in all sectors of our economy such as agriculture, mining and tourism, manufacturing, infrastructure development, education, health and cultural heritage’.

Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti of the MDC Alliance took a different view. He said 2020 had been a terrible year. ’No amount of side shows, spin or propaganda will detract from the fact that Zimbabwe is in a mess.’ (See: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/tough-2021-awaits-zimbabweans-as-bread-fuel-power-prices-go-up-biti/.)

The divisions in the opposition, fostered by the government, are causing the outside world to lose interest in Zimbabwe says long-time foreign observer Professor Stephen Chan of London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies. He said there was little prospect of Zanu PF and the opposition ‘finding each other’ in 2021. (See: https://dailynew Mrs.co.zw/global-interest-in-zim-fading-chan-says-both-zanu-pf-opposition-culpable-for-this/.)

The United States government has been told not to waste millions of dollars trying to help reform Zimbabwe’s political processes, especially elections. A report presented to the upper house of Congress by Senator Rand Paul said the scheduled 2023 elections were are ‘already rigged’.

The report said: ‘Mr Mnangagwa’s opponents now fear he is more dangerous than his predecessor. In his first 21 months in office, Mnangagwa had already imprisoned more people for subversion than Mugabe did in 37 years’. (See: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/12/us-wasting-millions-on-zim-election-process-report/.)

Other Points:

• Because of the coronavirus we can no longer physically meet outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, so we have a virtual Vigil while the restrictions continue. We ask our activists to put on Vigil / ROHR / Zimbabwe regalia and take a photo of themselves holding an appropriate poster reflecting our protest against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The photos are uploaded on our Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72157717696098973. Our virtual Vigil activist today was Esther Munyira who kindly contributed to Vigil funds.
• For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Notices:

• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages:

         Vigil: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

         ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/

         ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515