The world looks on as Zimbabwe begins the next chapter in its history
SIR – Almost exactly 10 years ago the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, removed his dog collar and cut it up on the BBC’S The Andrew Marr Show, saying he would not replace it until Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe was gone.
Not long afterwards, in a talk at the Royal Geographical Society on the plight of Zimbabwe, he urged those of us in the audience to tie a knot in our handkerchiefs as a similar gesture of solidarity with that country’s people.
I untied my knot on Tuesday evening. I only hope that I don’t have to re-tie it one day.
James Baird
Marden, Kent
SIR – Like many people, I am overjoyed at the announcement of the resignation of Robert Mugabe.
However, I would caution the people of that unfortunate country to remember an old Thai saying: “When escaping from the tiger, be careful you do not run into the crocodile.”
Robin Wrigley
Verwood, Dorset SIR – Is there any record of an army deposing a tyrant and the country becoming a full democracy afterwards?
Norman Gerald
Radlett, Hertfordshire
SIR – I was the director of a large company in the late Eighties and Nineties, which acquired (from the acquisition of another UK company) a successful building company in Zimbabwe.
The chief executive of the Zimbabwean company informed the board that corruption among the top government officials was of immense proportions. Every imported product went through companies that were controlled by top-ranking government officials, who applied 400 to 500 per cent mark-ups on the product. Consequently new farm machines and their requisite parts, for example, were astronomically priced. The government officials were making a fortune at the country’s expense.
Though Zimbabwe may finally be rid of one dictator, another will surely be taking his place. The country has no hope of pulling itself out of its 30-year depression.
Chris Jenkinson
Stockport, Cheshire
SIR – I read with concern your article (November 19) about the Commonwealth veterans who are living destitute in Zimbabwe. May I add to that my concerns for the future of British old-age pensioners in that country, who are also struggling.
Any savings they had were wiped out in the economic disaster of 2008/09. Though the economy rallied again for a while with the use of the US dollar, now billions of dollars have disappeared owing to corruption and thieving among the powers that be.
We hope that a new era is being born. However, it may be too late for pensioners and the “forgotten legion” to enjoy the fruits of change – if they ever materialise.
Sandra de Klerk
Harare, Zimbabwe