Johannesburg: A group of prominent Zimbabweans calling themselves “concerned citizens” have proposed a non-political National Transitional Authority to take over the running of the country from the Mugabe regime until “fair” elections can be held.
The group, which includes leading former supporters of Zimbabwe’s autocratic and ageing president Robert Mugabe, senior business people and veterans of the war against minority white-rule, is seeking the establishment of an 18-member technocratic ruling council.
Amid a political revolt by a growing number of Mr Mugabe’s former supporters, the citizens’ group warned that Zimbabwe risked descending into chaos unless a neutral body was established to steer it towards reforms and free and fair elections.
Zimbabwe is so short of cash - it uses US dollars - that it recently cut imports and has struggled to pay civil servants. The money shortage has led to social unrest and a national strike on July 6.
Zimbabwean independence war veterans last week criticised Mugabe’s 36-year rule, describing him as the “rot [that] needs to be uprooted”.
