ZIMBABWE RIVALS IN TEAM-BONDING

Victoria Falls used to be a major tourist attraction

Ministers in Zimbabwe's power-sharing government have started a three-day bonding session in a luxury hotel in the resort of Victoria Falls.

The exercise is intended to help the former rivals trust each other and work together after years of division.

Journalist Brian Hungwe says former opposition activists and officials from President Robert Mugabe's party could be seen joking together in the bar.

But he says some are questioning the cost of the exercise.

The former opposition Movement of Democratic Change joined the government in February.

Many of its officials, some of whom are now ministers, were arrested and assaulted over their campaign against Mr Mugabe.

The president is understood to have initially opposed the Victoria Falls retreat but is now expected to address it on Friday.

Brian Hungwe says the five-star hotel which is hosting the retreat is near a large golf course and is just 4km (2.5 miles) from the Zambezi river. Dinner costs $20 (£14) a plate.

Victoria Falls used to be a major draw in Zimbabwe's thriving tourist industry.

But many visitors now travel to the Zambian side of the river instead.

Davy Malungisa, executive director of the Institute for a Democratic Alternative For Zimbabwe, said the exercise would make a difference.

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"There is a need for a post-conflict strategy to be employed, so the team is able to bond and get to the business of running the government, rather than having mistrust."

Senior MDC official, now a minister, Gibson Sibanda said the ministers had to go to Victoria Falls for the session as there were too many distractions in Harare.

Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, says Zimbabwe's former rivals must unite for the good of the country.

"A lot of development work has been lost because of this conflict."

The retreat has given itself five key targets:

• Ensuring food security

• Restoration of basic rights

• Ensuring economic stability

• Restoration of basic services

• Normalisation of international relations.

Zimbabwe's economy has collapsed but has recently showed some signs of improvement.

Civil servants are being paid in foreign currency, instead of the worthless Zimbabwe dollar and so more teachers, doctors and nurses are now reporting for duty.

But around half the population is estimated to need food aid.

A recent report by South African television revealed that prisoners were starving to death as they were not being given any food.

BBC NEWS REPORT.