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Gono warns of power struggle
Business Day (SA)
October 24, 2006

http://allafrica.com/stories/200610240281.html

Zimbabwe's central bank chief Gideon Gono said in an interview published yesterday that land grabs in the country were linked to an intensifying power struggle, and called for an end to the seizures.

In an interview with the state-controlled Herald daily, Gono hinted that infighting among the country's elite was at the root of new land grabs.

Land grabbed by the state has been used in the past as a means to keep divisive members of government on side.

"There are too many subdivisions among us, too many contradictions, too much infighting among ourselves, incredible suspicion and mistrust of one another," he said in the interview.

Backed by Vice-President Joyce Mujuru, Gono has on several occasions called for an end to farm takeovers in a bid to stabilise agricultural production and halt inflation.

"I have openly condemned retrogressive acts such as the destruction of greenhouses, decimation of tobacco barns, (and) the institution of fresh farm invasions," said the bank chief, who is reported to own more than one farm himself.

Gono's criticism of farm takeovers is in contrast to recent statements made by Lands Minister Didymus Mutasa.

Gono also said he had made so many unpopular decisions in his bid to turn around the shattered economy that many of his acquaintances want him dead.

"I have few, very few friends I can count on," he said.

Gono was appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in 2004. At the time hope was high he would succeed in arresting Zimbabwe's economic decline.

But the economy is still in the doldrums. Inflation is the highest in the world at 1023,3%.

He said there was reason to be optimistic about the economy.

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