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Are Zimbabwe’s Envoys The Poorest Diplomats In Sub-Saharan Africa?

Are Zimbabwe’s Envoys The Poorest Diplomats In Sub-Saharan Africa?

From News Zimbabwe via Mail & Guardian Africa

“We are surviving on chicken feet and zvikanganwa hama (gizzards), the situation is really bad,” a Zimbabwean diplomat said in an interview at the weekend as he outlined the increasingly dire situation at the country’s foreign missions.

Frustration is said to be high in the service and morale rock bottom.

President Robert Mugabe has spent millions travelling the globe so far this year, even as the government admits it is struggling for money as tax revenues have been hit by the 80%-plus unemployment rate and the closure of hundreds of companies.

But while Mugabe is spared the pain of the cash-squeeze, which critics blame on his inept management of the economy, staff at the country’s foreign missions have been condemned to penury.

Struggling to survive

Many say they are struggling to survive, having gone for 14 months without pay.

“We have had families separated, wives/husbands and children are in Zimbabwe because we cannot afford the fees abroad,” said the diplomat who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.

“I personally have been limping along because of the little which is coming from rentals of my small house in Harare.

“But you can imagine the problems as the tenant is also failing to pay on time because of the harsh economic environment back home.”

Worst affected are diplomats posted to missions in the more expensive Western countries.

“My brother, we are sinking in debt; those serving in some European and North American countries are wallowing in debt (credit cards) which are not being serviced, debt collectors are after them,” said our source.

NewZimbabwe.com checked with other embassies where officials were prepared to talk on condition they were not named and the tales of woe appeared to be as global as the country’s diplomatic footprint.

Read more at Mail & Guardian Africa