Zimbabwe PM says no cash to pay the military
Members of the Zimbabwean national army march past on a parade inspected by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in this file photo at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on August 9, 2011 during defence forces day celebrations.
Image by: AFP PHOTO / JEKESAI NJIKIZANA
Image by: AFP PHOTO / JEKESAI NJIKIZANA
The Zimbabwe prime minister's party says it can't pay the military until revenues from the nation's eastern diamond fields, largely sealed off by troops, reach state coffers.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party said Wednesday the finance ministry it controls in the coalition government isn't receiving money promised from diamond sales. It said the national treasury "is yet to receive a cent" from the biggest mining company that is staffed by former military and security officials.
The defense ministry has said it needs cash for soldiers who are going hungry and to fund a recruitment drive for an additional 5,000 men. The Movement for Democratic Change party said defense officials loyal to President Robert Mugabe have threatened violence against the finance minister if he doesn't pay up.
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