A link you may be interested in, for lots of current news on Zimbabwe is here: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/index.html

I hate to say this to you, but there have been times in history, where people have had a chance to get out before it was too late. I certainly to not know for sure, but this may be that time for your friend and his family.

May they remain safe, my best wishes for them.

Rah Rah Rasputin
They put some poison into his wine
He drank it all and said "I feel fine"