Cautious Chinese handhold Mugabe

It has emerged that the Chinese are no handholding President Robert Mugabe's government after the Asian country seconded experts to the Office of the President and some government departments.

Officials said that the move is meant to capacitate government ahead of implementation of deals signed between the two countries last year.

The move points to China's increasing influence in Zimbabwe and highlights the lack of trust by the Chinese.

The Chinese embassy declined to reveal the mandate of the experts as it said it had no role in their coming to Zimbabwe.