Mugabe sacks his finance minister

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Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa has been sacked.

No reason has been given, but Mr Murerwa has had public disagreements about economic policy with the head of the country's Reserve Bank.

Mr Murerwa was appointed five years ago, but he failed to turn around the ailing economy. Inflation stands at 1,200% per year and unemployment 70%.

Meanwhile, in the capital more than 60 junior doctors have been dismissed after going on strike.

Sackings

In recent weeks there have been growing signs of civil unrest and discontent in Zimbabwe.

About 60 junior doctors, who have been striking for more than a month, have been sacked by Harare Central Hospital.

Some 350 doctors across the country have been demanding more pay and better working conditions.

The doctors received their dismissal letters on Tuesday, the president of the Hospital Doctors' Association confirmed to AFP news agency.

Zimbabwe's health service has been crippled by years of under-funding and a severe brain drain as many doctors and nurses leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.