Johannesburg — ROBERT Mugabe has impressive political survival skills. But the Zimbabwean president now faces unprecedented threats to his rule.

The latest sign of that came this week when, on his 83rd birthday, Mugabe banned all political rallies in an attempt to thwart an insurrection. The official annual inflation rate is nearly 1600%, the highest in the world. And there is now widespread dissatisfaction in Zimbabwe about the economic ruin Mugabe has wreaked on his country. Doctors, nurses, university lecturers and teachers have been on strike for higher pay. There are reports that policemen have refused to sing the national anthem.

In an environment of hyperinflation it becomes increasingly difficult for government and employers to keep pace with inflation in the salaries they pay. It also erodes the ability of the government to hand out patronage, which Mugabe needs to do to retain loyalty.

Mugabe has infuriated much of his own ruling Zanu (PF) party by seeking to stay on two years beyond his current term. He is likely to receive a mandate to extend his term at a party conference next month, but that does not mean there is not deep dissatisfaction in his party and the military over the move.

The end of Mugabe's rule is edging ever closer and the transition to a new political future will be a dangerous time for the country, and potentially its neighbours. SA's quiet diplomacy policy may have failed with Mugabe, but SA needs to start positioning itself to play a meaningful role during the transition.