In recent weeks, hundreds of Zimbabweans have lost their lives to cholera; many of them in neighboring South Africa. On the 30 November 2008, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that the Zimbabwe's health minister, David Parirenyatwa, confirmed that thus far 425 people have died as a result of cholera.
According to the 25 November 2008 edition of The Citizen 'Oxfam urges Zimbabwe to declare cholera outbreak an emergency', Oxfam has requested that the government of Zimbabwe declare the current outbreak "so that urgent national and international aid can be mobilised to address the outbreak". In the article 'Zimbabwe on brink of collapse as outbreak of cholera spreads ' published on the 25 November 2008 in the Guardian Newspaper , Xan Rice notes that the fatality rates "are well above the international emergency rate of 1% due to a lack of drugs and medical assistance." With nine out of ten of the country's provinces reporting cases, there is no doubt that the situation is out of control.
Recipe for Crisis
The national crisis was instigated by a collapse in basic water and sanitation services. According to the 29 November 2008 article 'Zimbabwe govt. sued over cholera outbreak ' that appeared online on CNN.com , a group of Zimbabwean citizens are taking the government to court for failing in their duty to provide adequate and safe drinking water. On Friday, the group went to the High Court to file a suit against the state-run Zimbabwe National Water Authority, whose mandate was the supply of water services in the country.
The current crisis was preceded by almost of decade of economic turmoil and political unrest. Zimbabwe's controversial elections in May, led to leaders of the Southern African Community appointing former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, as mediator to the crisis. In September, a power-sharing deal was brokered by Mr. Mbeki between the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC. Thus far the deal has been wrought with complications and disagreements. As a result, governance of the country has been adversely affected- as we can see in the further break down of the state's ability to provide basic sanitation and water. Every day, the humanitarian situation in the country continues to deteriorate rapidly with many escaping to neighboring countries.
In November, as a response to the humanitarian situation, a team of statesman called "the Elders" planned to visit the country on a fact finding and assistance mission. The team consisted of : the former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, former US president Jimmy Carter and Graça Machel, human rights activist and wife of Nelson Mandela. The Zimbabwean government refused them visas. According to the AFP , the Zimbabwean state-controlled media accused the team of plotting to overthrow the government. Zimbabwe's secretary for information George Charamba reportedly told the government-run Herald newspaper that "The 'Elders' should not pretend to have Zimbabweans at heart when, in fact, they were fronting a regime change agenda being pushed by Britain and the US".
The Elders spent their time in neighbouring South Africa, hearing from different agencies and the Zimbabwean opposition MDC.
The Way Forward
The only possible way forward in the cholera crisis is for the Zimbabwean opposition and the national government to come to some sort of partnership agreement. Such an agreement would bolster international confidence and allow for increased aid into the country.
In the longer term, it would be necessary for the Zimbabwe governance structures to be overhauled. This process cannot be imposed from the outside but should be one that reflects the will of the people. Accountable and effective governance structures would ensure that state services are adequately accessible.
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