Mugabe lashes out at whites

President Robert Mugabe marked his 75th birthday by lashing out at white Zimbabweans and accusing them of campaigning against him.

Speaking on state television Mugabe said many white farmers were “meddling” in the country’s politics and were lobbying the IMF to refuse further funding to Zimbabwe. The IMF has already frozen nearly US$ 53 million in aid because of Zimbabwe’s controversial land policy.

Media sources said that Mugabe added he would go ahead with plans to seize 841 farms. Mugabe said that if the government could not pay farmers immediately they would receive a written promise of future payment. But an IMF official told IRIN on Monday Mugabe had told the IMF farmers would receive payment in advance and in cash.

Mugabe’s comments last weekend have renewed speculation the IMF might halt any further budget support. The Associated Press quoted Mugabe as saying; “if we have to do without them we will have to. It won’t be the first time.”

The British Broadcasting Corportation (BBC) reported that Mugabe also used the occasion to once again challenge four senior judges to resign. The judges had criticised the detention and alleged torture of four journalists by the military.