Mugabe’s makeshift army

The Zimbabwe National Army's morale is rock bottom, and its strength is ebbing.

One cause of discontent dates back nearly 10 years, to when Mugabe called for volunteers to fight in the Congo wars, in support of the Laurent Kabila government. Those who stepped forward were promised US$5,000 when they returned, with US$10,000 compensation to families of those who died. The willing troops duly arrived in the Congo, where their duties included giving proper training to the infamous Interahamwe militias who fled Rwanda after carrying out the genocidal massacre of the Tutsis.

After four years the Zimbabwean soldiers were brought home. And they didn't get their money.

One soldier told me this week: "My friend died by my side in combat. Today his family live in