For the past month diesel and petrol supplies have been far below demand, leading to lengthy queues at filling stations. Business leaders say their operations are being disrupted and although government officials have repeatedly predicted an improvement in the supply situation, oil industry sources warn that the crisis will last for at least another three months. Mr Mugabe himself will reportedly announce that he will stand down as president when his term expires in April 2002 and that Mr John Nkomo, the Zanu Chairman, will lead the party into the elections. All have been charged with corruption ranging from the export of maize to the recapitalisation of the government-controlled Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe and fuel procurement contracts. Land invasions by party supporters usually describing themselves as war- veterans.
Some analysts believe that the land strategy is backfiring.
On several farms, workers have turned against the invaders, while internationally the impact of the campaign has been disastrous. Britain, the EU and even South Africa have urged Zimbabwe to stick to the rule of law and to redistribute land fairly and transparently. Last week, Zimbabwe's High Court ordered the squatters to leave the farms, instructing the Commissioner of Police to implement the order. Nothing has happened. Farmers agree that the situation is potentially explosive, but are angry at the government's efforts to sidestep responsibility for maintaining law and order.