Zimbabwe's problems are due to economic sanctions - Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe at a rally on Friday emphasized that Zimbabwe had problems. According to him, the current crisis was as a result of economic sanctions imposed on the country by foreign governments and lenders.

“We should remember that we are not a country without problems. We have sanctions,” he told party faithful in Bindura, a town to the north of the capital, Harare.

Salary delays are ‘a temporary problem’

Mugabe further stated that delays in paying salaries was ‘a temporal problem’ that did not justify the strikes that shut down the country earlier this week. This was the first time the 92-year-old had spoken in the wake of the social media instigated protests.

“The issue of salary delays is a temporary problem. It’s not a reason for teachers, doctors and nurses to go on strike. Most of them don’t understand where we have come from during times of colonialism,” Mugabe said.

He also warned of a plot by ‘enemies’ to overthrow his regime, asking the about 2,500 people at the rally to be on the look out for the enemy.

“The enemy has his eye on overthrowing ZANU-PF. Let’s beware and let’s have our eyes open and look out for the enemy. Let your heart remain ZANU-PF,” he charged.

Civil servants especially teachers and nurses stayed away from work earlier this week. According to them, the payment of their June salaries was the only condition that would return them back to posts.

The government is suffering one of its worst economic crisis with the inability to pay workers on time. There is also a currency crisis that has led to cash shortage. As a result, the government plans to circulate bond notes equivalent to US dollars in value.