Xenophobia in South Africa wrecks havoc for Zimbabweans
HARARE – ZIMBABWE, whose implosion will affect South Africa greatly, is on the brink of a military coup as divisions afflicting President Robert Mugabe’s party filter through to the country’s national army.
European Interagency Security says the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has been sucked into the divisions of political leadership of the country.
An international security think-tank that reported Zimbabwe is facing imminent crisis that will require an international humanitarian response in the near to medium-term future.
The European Interagency Security Forum, pointed our Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, is now 93 and in failing health but with no nominated successor, political jostling and infighting have beset his ZANU-PF party ahead of presidential elections planned for 2018.
It said of greater concern, ZNA was divided.
Since independence, it has been the primary agent to maintain order and civil stability.
“As its grip on power splits, the prospect of escalating civil disturbances and a potential military coup become more likely,” European Interagency Security Forum publicist, Nick Hanson-James, said.
The organisation forecast a dire year for Zimbabwe where government crackdowns are underway, and detention of activists increased 50% this year.
Healthcare in Zimbabwe has broken down and typhoid and cholera alerts issued.
The current rainy season is projected to bring along a cholera outbreak worse than the epidemic that killed 4 000 in 2008.
Government ran out of money in November and has issued ‘bond notes.’
European Interagency Security Forum reported approximately 4 million Zimbabweans fled the country and are in neighbouring countries creating socio-economic pressures on, and tensions with, local communities.
The organisation claimed host governments have started expelling Zimbabwean migrants, and if large numbers of migrants return to a country unable to support them, a humanitarian crisis destabilise both Zimbabwe and its neighbours would ensue.
“The humanitarian community should prepare to intervene and operate should Zimbabwe’s fragile systems finally collapse.”
– CAJ News
