Bad to worse for economy – protest pastor

Two years have passed since former President Robert Mugabe was ousted, but some Zimbabweans say life is tougher than ever. One of those who shared the elation with his fall was activist and pastor Evan Mawarire who gained prominence in 2016 when he draped himself in a Zimbabwean flag and railed against government corruption. CNN reports that the founder of the #ThisFlag movement caught the attention of the Mugabe regime and he was detained for ‘inciting public violence.’ In the two years since Mugabe's successor Emmerson Mnangagwa has been in power, conditions have deteriorated. Zimbabwe's economy has plummeted further with inflation now hovering around 300%. And a fierce crackdown on any type of criticism of the government has fuelled tensions. ‘We're in a country where the basic freedoms that are provided for in the Constitution for citizens are being blatantly violated,’ said Mawarire. He claims Mnangagwa has charged more people who have spoken out against the government than Mugabe did during his 37 years in power.

Zimbabweans could know the value of former Mugabe's estate next month. The Government Gazette has revealed that his family must register his estate by 5 December. New Zimbabwe reports that Mugabe is believed to have acquired millions of US dollars through farming, businesses and property. President Emmerson Mnangagwa this year disclosed that Mugabe's widow, Grace, owned 16 farms. The Mugabes also reportedly own properties in China, Singapore and SA. Mugabe's Harare mansion is registered in the name of the ruling party Zanu-PF but is expected to be transferred to Grace.