IMF begins expulsion process as Mugabe slams corruption

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has initiated procedures to expel Zimbabwe over the country's failure to meet its obligations, the Fund said on Wednesday. Zimbabwe has been in continuous arrears since February 2001, and owed US $273 million by the end of November. "The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today reviewed Zimbabwe's overdue financial obligations to the Fund and decided to initiate the procedure on the compulsory withdrawal of Zimbabwe from the IMF, after having determined that Zimbabwe had not actively cooperated with the IMF. The IMF regrets that the authorities have not adopted comprehensive and consistent policies needed to address Zimbabwe's serious economic problems," the statement said. It added that the IMF urged the government to adopt a comprehensive adjustment programme to tackle Zimbabwe's economic decline. The Fund's Executive Board will review Zimbabwe's overdue financial obligations within six months. "While today's decision has no immediate effect on Zimbabwe's standing in the IMF, it starts a process which could ultimately result in the compulsory withdrawal of the country from the IMF. During this process, Zimbabwe will have ample opportunity to improve its cooperation with the IMF, with the aim of addressing the economic decline in the country and resolving its overdue financial obligations," the statement explained. The IMF has already substantially downgraded Zimbabwe's membership over the past two years, freezing financial assistance and suspending its voting rights. Meanwhile President Robert Mugabe has hit out at corruption within his ruling party. "It's the question of our behaviour and integrity as we operate among our people. Do they see us as leaders or corrupt people? Do they see us as straightforward people; or do they see us as people deviating from the norms?" Mugabe said at a meeting of ZANU-PF's Central Committee on Wednesday. "Our leaders have become, in some cases, money-seekers wanting money, money, money. Wanting to acquire much more than others, and even looking at those who have something with jealous [eyes] and wanting to take their land," Mugabe was quoted as saying. The official Herald newspaper said Mugabe acknowledged there were "isolated cases" of conflict between newly resettled small-scale farmers and new commercial landowners, some of whom are powerful government officials. "There remains lots of work to be done to make land reform function in the manner and direction we envision ... The process should not be seen as limited to a few, but as a national programme meant to truly empower the majority of our people," Mugabe said