JUSTICE ZHOU, JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabweans living in Johannesburg have welcomed news of a power-sharing deal between sworn political rivals Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai albeit with skepticism.
The Mbeki-brokered accord was perceived to be skating on thin ice recently due to Mugabe’s alleged disdain of its provisions, but many Zimbabweans believe that although not the “change” they prefer, the negotiated political settlement may be the path out of nearly a decade of political and economic decay.
An estimated 3 million “human Tsunami”of Zimbabweans is believed to have fled poverty and political persecution into neighboring South Africa in recent years.
But lack of basic goods ,world-record inflation, 90 percent unemployment, the cholera epidemic and the multitude of other problems facing the country, Zimbabweans remain cautious about the risks of rushing back home.
“I hope this is not another one of Mugabe’s usual tricks, but I will never trust that man. If Tsvangirai is not careful he may be swallowed the same way it happened to Joshua Nkomo of Zapu” said Mbongiseni Nkala, a qualified teacher, who now works as a waiter but hopes to go back home in the event the situation turns around.
"I almost died in Alexandra township during the Xenophobic attacks when my shack was burnt down and I am afraid of remaining longer in this country” said Rutendo,26, who irks out a living collecting and selling scrap metal and now stays at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, a sanctuary for homeless Zimbabweans. “I have prayed constantly for a miracle to happen, this time around I think God has answered the prayers” she said adding that she was prepared to go back home anytime.
Meanwhile South African property owners who have benefited from Zimbabwe ’s collapse fear losing business if the unity accord succeeds in lifting the country out of its quagmire and Zimbabwean nationals gradually pack their bags to their homeland. Residential properties in central Johannesburg are rented predominantly by Zimbabweans.
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