Cathy Buckle's Weekly Letter from Zimbabwe

Shocking legacy !

Tuesday 17th March 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Its been a month now since Zimbabwe's unity government took office and this seems an appropriate point to record the changes that are affecting everyday life.

The economy is now running completely on US dollars and the prices of most goods are still two, three or sometimes even four times more expensive than in our neighbouring countries. But, on the positive side, more and more shops have got products back on their shelves so at least now we can find food - even if we can't afford most of it! Basic economic rules of supply and demand and competition are coming back into play and forcing the outrageous profiteers to back down. Seeing shelves stocked with food is such a shock that we still stand and stare wide-eyed at the sight of tins and packets and bottles. For such a long time we've been scavenging, scrounging, bartering and just going without that seeing food for sale again makes us realize the terrible abuse that was inflicted upon us by the previous leadership.

Another positive development has come for civil servants who have begun receiving a small monthly salary in US dollars, and a top up in Zimbabwe dollars. Frankly the top up in Zim dollars is a waste of time and utterly useless as there is nothing at all that you can buy in local currency - not even a single banana or cup of ground nuts from a woman on the roadside. The US dollar amounts being paid to civil servants is nowhere near enough, is not linked to people's qualifications and is not comparable to salaries being paid for the same work in the region, but it is a start.

I had to visit a Police station recently and seeing the appalling circumstances under which these men and women have to work is truly shocking. Ceilings falling in, broken tables, chairs collapsing and without backs, no stationery, nowhere for people to sit, doors falling out of their frames, roadways almost unusable because of deep gullies and potholes. This situation is similar in almost all government buildings and is another shocking legacy left by the previous leadership.

In the last month utilities, licences and other urban service fees have gone through the roof and despite our paying in US dollars no changes are yet noticeable on the ground. Garbage is still not being collected (its been a year now) roads are a maze of deep potholes, street lights still don't work and sewage continues to run openly in some streets. Water and waste management is in a perilous place and the handing back of assets, tools, chemicals and other equipment by ZINWA (controlled by government) to the local municipalities has opened a writhing can of worms. Water pumps have gone missing, chemicals have vanished and assets which actually belong to the ratepayers, have simply disappeared. We are told by the incoming MDC officials that legal action is being taken and that people will be held to account. This promise is a breath of fresh air but actions speak louder than words!

It's very early days and a mountain of decay, corruption and plain thievery stands in the path but the feeling of hope continues to grow. Change must come from the top, the middle and the bottom; we're ready at the bottom!

Until next week, thanks for reading, love cathy