Political Risk

Public sector workers have staged the largest mass industrial action since democratisation in 1994. BMI View: The strike probably could have been avoided, and, on balance, the settlement... 2004-10-01

After much procrastination, general elections have been set for September 2006. BMI View: The setting of an electoral timetable is a very welcome development. Although an earlier... 2004-09-07

A recent public opinion survey shows increased support for the government, but declining faith in democracy. BMI View: Given the level of repression and brainwashing by the regime... 2004-09-06

The successor to Apartheid-era governments, the New National Party, is folding and its leaders are joining the ruling ANC.

Land reform is now top of the political agenda. BMI View: The government is promising to take a market-friendly approach to the issue, but it is not whether the policy will achieve... 2004-08-09

President Mbeki is faced with a tough decision in appointing a new Director of Public Prosecutions. BMI View: It may be politically difficult, but the best move would be to appoint... 2004-08-05

The regime is up to its usual dirty tricks ahead of parliamentary elections. BMI View: Left to its own devices, ZANU-PF will cruise to victory, perhaps opening the way for an earlier-than-scheduled... 2004-08-05

The country's chief anti-corruption fighter has resigned. BMI View: While official graft is low by African standards, the blurred line between the government and the dominant ANC... 2004-08-05

ZANU-PF and the MDC are both internally divided. BMI View: The regime has been very successful in neutralising the MDC, which is faced with the difficult choice of whether to participate... 2004-07-08

The government is positioning the electoral system in its favour ahead of next March's parliamentary elections. BMI View: ZANU-PF will almost certainly win, but the polity is disintegrating,... 2004-07-08