1-Former US ambassador confirms his mission was to topple Mugabe- End is nigh
President Robert Mugabe’s repeated claims that the United States, and in particular Christopher Dell, its Ambassador to Zimbabwe from July 2004 to July 2007, wanted regime change in the country have been proven right according to documents released by Wikileaks through the New York Times. “Having said my piece repeatedly over the last three years, I won't offer a lengthy prescription for our Zimbabwe policy,” Dell wrote before his departure to another trouble spot, Afghanistan. “My views can be stated very simply as stay the course and prepare for change. Our policy is working and it's helping to drive change here. What is required is simply the grit, determination and focus to see this through. Then, when the changes finally come we must be ready to move quickly to help consolidate the new dispensation”.
2-Zimbabwe not a threat to the region
The international community’s concern that Zimbabwe is a threat to the region is unfounded because most of the countries in the Southern African Development Community can take care of themselves. This is the view of several think-tanks on the relations between Zimbabwe and its former colonial master Britain and the United States government expressed in one of the confidential cables just released by Wikileaks. Analysts for the think tanks said that while Zimbabwe would remain a top priority for the British government, the United Kingdom’s bossy attitude towards Zimbabwe had only served to solidify President Robert Mugabe’s status as a colonial liberation leader and rallied South Africa’s unwavering support.
3-Tsvangirai sought help from the West as late as December 2009
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last year requested Western governments to help bring about change in Zimbabwe because progress by the inclusive government had been too slow. He held a meeting with ambassadors of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and a representative of the European Union on December 24 and told them that he needed their help because ZANU-PF was now using a strategy of reciprocity, using western sanctions as a cudgel against the MDC, according to the latest cables released by Wikileaks.
4-Exiled Zimbabwean businessmen wanted Mugabe out- Wikileaks
Four prominent Zimbabwean businessmen living in South Africa discussed with United States officials ways to ease President Robert Mugabe out of power and replace him with a “technocratic” Prime Minister who would run the country and get it back on its feet. The four whose names have been removed from the Wikileaks cable just released met the US officials on January 27, 2007 and suggested that their strategy was based on the assumption that Mugabe would never voluntarily give up power.They suggested the extending of his term to 2010 but he would share power with a Prime Minister during that period. Mugabe’s term of office expired in 2008.
5-ZANU-PF like a troop of baboons
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has been likened to a troop of baboons incessantly fighting among themselves but coming together to fight an external threat. The party is badly fractured and is like a stick of TNT, susceptible to ignition and disintegration. This is one of the observations on the political landscape and United States-Zimbabwe relations filed by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray on 10 February this year. The observations, released by Wikileaks, were done by an analyst whose name was deleted from the cables.
6 to 10
African Consolidated Resources chief executive officer Andrew Cranswick told United States officials on November 6, 2008 that high-ranking Zimbabwean officials including central bank governor Gideon Gono, First Lady Grace Mugabe and Vice-President Joyce Mujuru were looting diamonds from Chiadzwa in Marange. According to one of the cables by the United States embassy in Harare released by Wikileaks, Cranswick also said others benefitting were Mines and Mining Development Minister Amos Midzi, Defence Forces Chief General Constantine Chiwenga and his wife Jocelyn, Central Intelligence Director Happyton Bonyongwe and Manicaland Governor Chris Mushowe.
7-“Crazy old Bob” Minister was probably not taken seriously
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has made headlines for calling President Robert Mugabe “the crazy old man” but what seems to have gone unreported is that her host United States ambassador to Pretoria Donald Gips seems to have thought very little of her strong statements on Zimbabwe and Mugabe. In the comment to his cable following his meeting with the minister on November 2, last year Gips wrote: “The Foreign Minister made strong statements on Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe, but our sense is that her department does not have the lead within the SAG (South African government) on the Zimbabwe agenda.”
8-Military cut out Gono from Marange diamonds
Central bank governor Gideon Gono was cut out of the Marange diamonds when the military moved in in November 2008, according to one of the United States embassy cables released by Wikileaks. One of Gono’s chief buyers Tendai Makurumidze, known as Gonyeti, was arrested and three of his vehicles were seized. Trading which had been dominated by Gono who was bringing freshly printed Zimbabwe dollar notes shifted to foreign currency.
9-Was US ambassador McGee obsessed with Zimbabwe’s diamonds?
James McGee, the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe during its turmoil from 2007 to 2009, seemed to be observed with the country’s diamonds from Marange because he believed they were being used to prop up Mugabe’s patronage system. His three cables released by Wikileaks so far are all on diamonds from Marange. When the military moved in and the government was expected to move about 20 000 people according to a local chief commented that the relocation of the villagers, if it occurred, was the next preparatory step by the government to use the Chiadzwa diamond fields to bail out the failed Zimbabwean economy and prop-up Mugabe.
10-Mugabe fixated on land and sanctions- US ambassador
President Robert Mugabe is fixated on land reform and sanctions and is almost trance-liked in discussing these subjects, United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray said in his cable to Washington the very day he presented his credentials to Mugabe on December 9 last year. Ray said though Mugabe was generally alert and can keep up with a conversation, physically he was frail and appeared uncomfortable when seated. “He slouches and frequently turns his body as if to find a better position, and then sits straight and speaks in a louder voice for a few seconds before lapsing back into the barely audible soft voice,” Ray said.
11-ZANU-PF will become irrelevant as soon as Mugabe goes
ZANU-PF will become irrelevant as soon as Robert Mugabe leaves the scene, either through death or retirement, the United States and German ambassadors to Zimbabwe agreed at a meeting in December last year. The ambassadors said it was therefore important to identify the next generation of the country’s leadership and begin the process of influencing them. In a cable by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray released by Wikileaks, the ambassadors also agreed that there was a strong need to reform the security sector because without this none of the efforts at political reform would be assured.
12-“I am the only one who can shut up Mugabe,” says Mutambara
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara told a visiting European Union delegation in September last year that he must not be excluded from any discussions because he was the only one who could shut up President Robert Mugabe. Everyone else was afraid of him. Mutambara leads the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change which has only three cabinet ministers and 10 seats in the lower house. But he impressed one of the European Union delegates as “very sharp, young, engaging, and very, very dangerous”.
13-US ambassador more worried about fate of warthogs after plane crash
Diplomatic life must be very exciting. United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray in his weekly summary of events on Zimbabwe in November last year reported that his arrival had been delayed because of an accident involving an Air Zimbabwe flight to Bulawayo. The aircraft struck a group of five warthogs and veered off the runway, destroying some of the runway lights. But what was more interesting about the cable is that Ray appeared to be worried that the government did not comment on the fate of the warthogs. According to the ambassador’s cable released by Wikileaks passengers were stuck in the plane for two hours and were forced to surrender any photographic evidence of the crash before they were allowed to leave.
14-US urged Tsvangirai to work with moderates in ZANU-PF to remove Mugabe
The United States advised Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai way back in November 2000 not to resort to mass action to remove President Robert Mugabe, but urged him instead to engage in dialogue with moderates in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front, “even if privately”. According to one of the cables released by Wikileaks, Tsvangirai was given this advice at a meeting with then US assistant secretary for African Affairs, Susan Rice, who is now the US ambassador to the United Nations.
15-MDC tried to buy out service chiefs says Mangoma
Elton Mangoma, one of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s closest advisors, told the United States government in October last year that the Movement for Democratic Change intended to buy out Zimbabwe’s military and service chiefs by setting up a trust fund for them so that they could have something to fall back on because most of them had not made any meaningful investments.
16-Mugabe turns down UN offer to step down
Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, a “shady white" Zimbabwean businessman with links to the British intelligence and the Zimbabwean business community were all frantically working to easy President Robert Mugabe out soon after the 2000 parliamentary elections which the Movement for Democratic Change lost narrowly to ZANU-PF but he turned down the offers. A September 2000 cable from the United States embassy in Harare released by Wikileaks says Annan made the offer to Mugabe when the Zimbabwean leader was in New York for the Millennium Summit. Annan’s deal allegedly involved a package from Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi. Qadhafi has been in power longer than Mugabe. He became leader of Libya in 1969.
17-US embassy more worried about political situation than cholera
The cholera outbreak that killed more than 4 000 people in Zimbabwe in 2008-2009 did not pose any threat to American embassy officials and staff. Instead, they were more worried about the political, security and logistical issues. The embassy was actually on “Growing Potential for Drawback” since the political violence of March 2007 which saw Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai being severely assaulted and detained by the police. A US embassy cable on the cholera alert said the situation was under control because the embassy had adequate fresh water supplies, but it needed another water truck and authority to hire another driver.
18-New Zealand cable shows power of US over IMF
New Zealand had to seek clarification urgently about what to do with Harare when the Zimbabwean government paid back US$120 million to the International Monetary Fund in August 2005. Zimbabwe owed US$290 million and was at the time facing an economic crisis at home. According to a cable released by Wikileaks, New Zealand wanted to know whether the United States would now consider Zimbabwe to be in compliance with its IMF obligations.
19-Museveni says Mugabe cannot talk to most African leaders because they are too young
President Robert Mugabe was facing a difficult time after the disputed 2008 elections which he lost to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai because he did not want to talk to most African leaders because they were too young, according to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Museveni told former United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, that he had talked to Mugabe soon after the elections and the Zimbabwean leader had told him that he was confident that he was going to win in the second round of elections, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
20-What Mugabe said about Zuma
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has described South African President Jacob Zuma as a “man of the people” who likes to make promises without necessarily knowing how to fulfil them. In contrast, he described his predecessor Thabo Mbeki as a “great man” who even his adversary Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had agreed should be honoured for bringing peace to Zimbabwe. Mugabe described Mbeki as “judgmental and calculating” and cautious with policies and felt that Mbeki had been treated badly by being removed from office in the midst of helping Zimbabwe.
21-Britain planned investment ban on Zimbabwe after 2008 elections
Britain planned to tighten sanctions on Zimbabwe including an investment ban immediately after the controversial elections of 2008. Although the Netherlands supported further sanctions, it felt hat an investment ban would be difficult to implement because Britain and the United States had too many investments in Zimbabwe. Instead it urged creativity in pursuing these additional sanctions saying governments could, for example, use “moral suasion”. These were the views of the Netherlands Director for Sub-Saharan Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wepke Kingma, contained in a cable from the Hague filed by the United States political-economic counsellor Andrew Mann in July 2008.
22-Obama asked SADC to put pressure on Mugabe to leave
United States President Barack Obama asked the Southern African Development Community to put pressure on Zimbabwe for Mugabe to exit, six months after the formation of the inclusive government, according to one of the cables just released by Wikileaks. The request was made by Obama’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson to Botswana Vice- President Mompati Merafhe when they met on 2 July 2009 on the margins of the African Union Summit in Sirte, Libya.
23-24-British Premier piffed by Russians over Zimbabwe- Two cables
Britain was so optimistic two days before a United Nations Security Council meeting in July 2008 that China and Russia would support a resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe that Prime Minister Gordon Brown felt that his “nose had been bloodied” by the Russians when they vetoed the resolution. Britain was so devastated that it decided to give Zimbabwe “a break in the security council for a while”. Instead Brown decided to pursue further sanctions on the Southern African country through the European Union but once again faced resistance as some members such as Germany were opposed to the sanctions.
25-EU lifted sanctions on Zimbabwe at request of Biti
The European Union last year partially lifted sanctions on Zimbabwe at the request of Finance Minister Tendai Biti who is also secretary general of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, a United States embassy cable released by Wikileaks says. The cable says the UK had agreed to support the de-listing of eight parastatals requested by Zimbabwean “Foreign” (Finance) Minister Tendai Biti, any persons on the list who has died, a Lebanese national, and former ZANU-PF supporter Dr. Dumiso Dabengwa after "tortuous" discussions of the EU's sanctions on Zimbabwe.
26-Britain won’t support Zimbabwe until Mugabe is gone
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi two years ago that the UK would not support the Zimbabwean government until President Robert Mugabe was gone, raising questions as to what the European Union will do next week when the sanctions are due for renewal. According to one of the United States embassy cables released by Wikileaks, the UK was put under pressure just two months after the formation of the inclusive government to support the lifting of European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Botswana President Ian Khama, one of the strongest critics of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, called on the British government to resume aid to Zimbabwe barely a month after the formation of the inclusive government saying it would be a grave mistake not to do so, one of the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks says. Khama is reported to have said this on 16 March 2009 during a consultative meeting just before the London Economic Summit which was scheduled for 2 April. Zimbabwe’s inclusive government which saw Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai become Prime Minister while Mugabe remained president, was sworn in on 11 February 2009.
28-Britain was so frustrated by Mbeki over Zimbabwe that it decided to talk to Zuma
Britain was so frustrated by South African President Thabo Mbeki’s failure to put pressure on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down after losing the 2008 elections that Prime Minister Gordon Brown arranged a 30-minute meeting with African National Congress president Jacob Zuma to discuss Zimbabwe though British officials were worried about corruption allegations against Zuma and what they termed other “political baggage”. The UK was also frustrated by the inaction of the Southern African Development Community that it decided to threaten to bring the Zimbabwe crisis before the United Nations Security Council because it believed that “just the threat of doing so would serve as a swipe at SADC and South African diplomacy, and (might) prod Mbeki and SADC to take more effective, and vocal, diplomatic action toward Zimbabwe”.
29-Britain sought NGO help to stop Zimbabwe diamond exports
Britain instructed its foreign office two years ago to push the Kimberley Process to investigate Zimbabwe’s eligibility to the diamond controlling body and to approach leading non-governmental organisations Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada to do research and report on Zimbabwe’s trafficking in conflict diamonds because the KP was too slow, a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks says. The cable dispatched on 21 January 2009 says the instructions were issued by Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for Africa Mark Malloch-Brown but both Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada said they had never been approached by the British government to do any reports.
30-Britain told Tsvangirai it would not support GNU on day one
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai within hours of his being sworn in that he was “disappointed” with the power sharing negotiations and would not be sympathetic to requests for assistance until there was proof that the power sharing was truly being implemented according to one of the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks. The team of advisers that had just joined Brown’s office was even more adamant. One felt that the power-sharing would fail and suggested that Britain should start consulting the United States about moving forward after the power-sharing regime fails, but this time the issue should be moved out of SADC hands to the United Nations.
31-Britain was ready to pour one million pounds for Zimbabwe elections in 2008
Britain was prepared to pour in nearly one million pounds in support of Zimbabwe elections soon after the controversial March 2008 general elections and was prepared to do this discreetly because the Southern African Development Community which was spearheading the negotiation process in the country was not accepting foreign contributions, one of the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks says.
Britain was so desperate to get the United Nations or the United States to condemn Zimbabwe’s March 2008 election results that it even tried to use former South African President Nelson Mandela to condemn them when he visited London for his 90th birthday celebrations, a cable released by Wikileaks says. The cable, dispatched four days before the presidential elections re-run, says Britain’s Zimbabwe desk officer Ben Llewelyn-Jones acknowledged that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was going to meet Mandela but the British government would weigh very carefully whether such an approach to Mandela would be effective.
33-Britain supported military action against Mugabe in 2008The British government supported military action against Zimbabwe following the swearing in of Robert Mugabe as President of Zimbabwe after an election run-off that had been boycotted by first round winner Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change, one of the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks says. Britain, however, felt that this would be difficult to sell to the United Nations Security Council and therefore wanted to wait for a resolution from the African Union so that it would appear as if it was backing the African body.
34-Britain did not believe SADC could solve Zimbabwe crisis
Britain did not believe the Southern African Development Community could solve the crisis in Zimbabwe following the controversial 2008 elections and only agreed with the importance of the regional body one month after the signing of the Global Political Agreement, according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks. The cable, one of the briefest, making it very difficult to interpret, was dispatched on 24 October 2008, more than a month after the three key political parties in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change had signed the GPA which led to the formation of the inclusive government that is running the country today.
35-Britain told Biti to push GNU to implement GPA to get aid
Britain told Finance Minister Tendai Biti, two months after the formation of the inclusive government, that he should push the government of national unity to operate according to the agreements made if he wanted to win the confidence of the international community so that Zimbabwe could get aid. According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, Biti was told this on April 30, 2009 by British Foreign Secretary David Milliband and Foreign Office Minister for Africa Lord Mark Malloch-Brown. He met the two separately with Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the United Kingdom Gabriel Machinga.
Zimbabwe makes interesting reading. The country has been dragged into an attempted US$60 million arms purchase by Swaziland. The only reason is that Swaziland did not allegedly need the array of weapons requested. Another ventured elsewhere is that the country was trying to make up for weapons from China that it had been stopped from getting. But even in the diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, Zimbabwe was just mentioned in passing. According to the cable filed by Maurice Parker, United States ambassador to Swaziland, on 11 June 2009 Swaziland sought to buy the arms worth US$60 million in December 2009 from British weapons manufacturer Unionlet Limited. The British government, however, denied the request over end-use concerns.
37-Jocelyn Chiwenga a toothless bulldog
Jocelyn Chiwenga has sent a lot of people scouring for cover. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, photographer Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi and Lawyer Gugulethu Moyo. She even bayed for blood when wanted to take over a farm from one white farmer. "I have not tasted white blood for 20 years," she warned. According to a cable released by Wikileaks she called United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee on 18 June 2009 and insulted and threatened him. The cable says she had spoken with embassy staff on other occasions and criticised the United States with “profanity and abusive language”. But the US embassy did not believe she posed any physical threat. The embassy was however going to raise the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
38-Britain increased aid to Zimbabwe to prop MDC but did not believe Tsvangirai could deliver on reforms
The British government increased aid to Zimbabwe by 10 million pounds to bolster the Movement for Democratic Change when Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai visited the country four months after the formation of the inclusive government but British Prime Minister Gordon Brown questioned Tsvangirai’s ability to deliver on reforms and gave “clear instructions” to his ministers that additional support would not be released until there was more progress on the ground.
39-Britain may have forced AU to accept Mugabe after 2008 elections
Britain may have forced African leaders to accept Robert Mugabe after his controversial victory in the run-off for the 2008 presidential elections because of the “big fuss” it made over Zimbabwe, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says in a cable released by Wikileaks. Mubarak told United States senator John Kerry on 2 July 2008, a day after the African Union summit that was held in Sharm El-Sheik in Egypt, that he could not stop Mugabe from attending the summit because Zimbabwe was a member of the African Union but he said some member states condemned Mugabe while others told him to form a unity government and find a role for the opposition parties.
40-Vatican says Mugabe’s son is a key player in DRC diamonds
The former Deputy Foreign Minister of the Vatican Archbishop Celestino Migliore told a United States official in 2001 that President Robert Mugabe’s son was a key player in the exploitation of diamonds in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cable does not name which son. Mugabe has two sons, Robert Junior and Chatunga. But it is not clear how any of the two could have been key players in diamond exploitation in the DRC as at the time both were under 10 years of age.
41-Why African leaders support Mugabe
African nations have been siding with Mugabe despite the intense pressure from the international community because Africans are a proud people who share a sense of pan-Africanism, solidarity, sovereign independence and unity against external parties, Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa told a United States Military chief when he visited Tripoli in 2009.
Kusa was briefing the Commander of U.S. Africa Command General William Ward. He told the army chief that though Libya supported engagement with the U.S. military to tackle the continent's security problems; it was against any US troops in Africa.
South African President Jacob Zuma was involved as an “unofficial peace mediator and diplomatic troubleshooter” in Zimbabwe long before he became President, a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks says. The cable released on 12 May 2009, a week after Zuma had been elected South African President is an analysis of how Zuma rose to power and how he was poised for greatness.
43-Zuma pushing Commonwealth to readmit ZimbabweSouth African President Jacob Zuma takes his mediation role in Zimbabwe seriously and is pushing the Commonwealth to readmit the country, the director for Political Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat Amitav Banerji told the last Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in November 2009, according to one of the cables released by Wikileaks. The cable says the heads of government commented on Zimbabwe briefly in their communiqué stating that they welcomed the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and expressed hope that this would be implemented “faithfully and effectively”.
44-Refugees in Zimbabwe were better off than locals in 2007
Foreign refugees in Zimbabwe were better off than locals at the height of the country’s economic crisis as they were getting adequate supplies with some even selling their food to locals, a cable released by Wikileaks says. The cable was dispatched on 19 October 2007 following a visit to Tongogara Refugee camp by United States embassy officials in Harare and representatives of the Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration. The cable says the refugees had adequate shelter, food, water and had access to basic health care. “The camp clinic was clean, well organised, and well stocked with drugs, supplies and equipment.”
45-British leader says military intervention in Zimbabwe would be counterproductive
The leader of Britain’s Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, said despite pressing humanitarian concerns in Zimbabwe, Western military intervention would be counterproductive because there was no regional support for intervention. Clegg made the remarks in June 2008 when there was a lot of tension in the UK over what to do over the impasse in Zimbabwe following the March elections which saw Morgan Tsvangirai beating Robert Mugabe in the presidential race. Tsvangirai, however, failed to score an outright win necessitating a run-off which was set for 27 June. Clegg’s remarks are contained in a United States embassy cable released by Wikileaks. The cable was dispatched on 3 July 2008.
46-Britain says Zimbabwe merits increased attention
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office elevated Zimbabwe to a stand-alone unit within the African Directorate two weeks after the signing of the Global Political Agreement which ushered in the inclusive government because it now merited increased attention- a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks says. This was done by new FCO Africa director Adam Wood, on 29 September 2008, three months after his appointment to the FCO. Wood restructured the Africa directorate into four departments to balance work-loads and create "synergy" along common work strands.
47-Mugabe’s indigenisation policy could change China’s stance towards pariah states
President Robert Mugabe’s erratic treatment of foreign economic interests could see China, which has hitherto shown that it is willing to put its need for markets and raw materials above the need to promote internationally accepted norms of behaviour; change its uncritical stance towards pariah states like Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma and Iran. This was the view of former United States ambassador to Beijing Clark Randt two years ago when he looked at the relations between the United States and China over the past 30 years and also at the 30 years to come. Randt was the longest serving US ambassador to Beijing.
48-Zimbabwe cost Russian President Medvedev his reputation
The issue of Zimbabwe and what to do about President Robert Mugabe following his uncontested June, 2008 victory, which was not recognised by most Western governments, cost Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dearly as his actions gave the West the impression that he was not totally in control, a cable released by Wikileaks says. Medvedev took over from Vladimir Putin on 8 May 2008 and two months later he was at his first G8 meeting in Toyako on the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan. The G8 is made up of the eight richest, industrialised nations of the world- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
49-Thin-skinned Mbeki, Zimbabwe and Wikileaks
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki’s stance on Zimbabwe and other issues in his own country raised questions about his judgment leading United States ambassador to South Africa, Delano Lewis, to describe him as a brilliant but prickly leader of “Africa’s most important state” who did not accept criticism. In a cable dispatched on 23 January 2001, only 19 months after Mbeki had taken over as South African President, the ambassador said recent actions by Mbeki which included his views on AIDS had raised “caution flags about his ability to accept criticism and manage collegially”.
Zimbabwe seems to have become a good example of how not to announce election results especially when you are not sure about who is going to win. This was clearly expounded by three United States ambassadors when they reviewed elections in Afghanistan in 2009.
51-Mugabe a spiritual descendant of Idi Amin
President Robert Mugabe has been described as a spiritual descendant of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin whose reign of terror is reported to have entrenched the cult of African strongmen “who plunder their countries' natural wealth for their personal gratification, all the while repressing their own people with sadistic, almost bestial glee....”.
52-India refused to succumb to US pressure to condemn Zimbabwe elections
India refused to endorse a statement by the Community of Democracies condemning Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections which appeared to have been spearheaded by the United States and went on to withdraw its support for a Diplomat’s Handbook which it had earlier endorsed. According to the latest cable from Wikileaks the United States was baffled by India’s response because it believed that support from India would have helped to soften a “begrudging but compliant South Africa”.
53-Canada tougher on Zimbabwe after the 2008 elections
Canada condemned the 2008 Presidential elections run-off which President Robert Mugabe won after Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out because of violence with Prime Minister Stephen Harper describing the elections as “stolen” and Foreign Minister David Emerson imposing restrictions on travel, work or study permits on senior government, military and police officials and their families.
54-Kagame warned not to go the Mugabe way
Rwandan leader Paul Kagame was warned eight years ago not to go the Robert Mugabe way when he won his second term of office as the country’s president but last year he contested the elections and won another seven-year term. Kagame became the country’s leader in 1994 when his Rwandan Patriotic Front overthrew the government and ended the genocide in the country that had killed hundreds of thousands.
55-GPA saved Zimbabwe from tougher EU sanctions
The signing of the Global Political Agreement by Zimbabwe’s three key political parties -the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change may have saved Zimbabwe from tougher European Union sanctions according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
56-What is it that the West sees in Zimbabwe that Zimbabweans don’t see?
What is it that the West sees in Zimbabwe that Zimbabweans don’t see? This is the fundamental question a cable that has just been released by Wikileaks raises. The cable dispatched on 7 November 2008 reveals that 16 powerful Western countries met in Ottawa, Canada in October 2008 to discuss the future of Zimbabwe following stalemate between the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union –Patriotic Front soon after they had signed the Global Political Agreement which was supposed to pave way for a new coalition government.
57-Zimbabwe thumped Canada, West to become chair of CSD
Zimbabwe thumped Canada and the West to win chairmanship of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in May 2007. According to a cable just released by Wikileaks, Canada had vowed to lobby against Zimbabwe’s election even going to the extent to trying to persuade African countries to set aside their claim to the chair for the 16th session of the CSD.
58-US told engagement with Zimbabwe, Libya not ostracism is the wise course - Wikileaks
Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Sachin Siv was told by Brazilian officials seven years ago that engagement with countries like Zimbabwe, Libya, Sudan and Cuba and not ostracism or expulsion was the wise course- a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks says. Siv had told the officials that Zimbabwe, Sudan and Cuba had no right to be members of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. He said the UNHCR had had become a group a group mingling “the good, the bad and the ugly.”
59-Britain’s bossy attitude earns Mugabe support- Wikileaks
Britain’s bossy attitude towards Zimbabwe had only solidified President Robert Mugabe’s status as a colonial liberation leader and rallied South Africa’s unwavering support, one of the cables released by Wikileaks says.This was the view of several British think tanks which said though Zimbabwe should remain a top priority for Britain, they did not understand what the United States’ interest in the country was.
60-Zuma’s unhelpful attitude towards Zimbabwe soured UK-SA relations- Wikileaks
South African President Jacob Zuma’s unhelpful attitude towards Zimbabwe, especially at the United Nations, was likely to complicate relations between South Africa and Britain, the head of the Southern Africa section in the Foreign and Commonwealth Sarah Riley said shortly after the signing of the Global Political Agreement. Riley is quoted in a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks as saying that the UK was watching South Africa very closely because there was genuine concern about factionalism within the ruling African National Congress.
61-US baffled by Noriega’s daughter’s criticism of Mugabe- Wikileaks
Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega’s daughter, Thays Noriega, wanted the United Nations Security Council to take stern action against Zimbabwe just before the 2008 presidential elections because President Robert Mugabe could not be rewarded for thwarting the opposition. Her sentiments seem to have baffled United States officials who were lobbying members of the United Nations Security Council, including Panama, to condemn the violence that erupted after the disputed March 2008 elections.
62-US tried to block Zimbabwe from becoming VP of WFP- Wikileaks
The United States’ bid to isolate Zimbabwe hit a roadblock in 2007 when it tried to block the country from becoming Vice-President of the World Food Programme in 2007 but was thwarted by Latin American countries. According to a cable just released by Wikileaks the US had requested Peru’s support to block Zimbabwe’s bid but was told by Oswaldo del Aguila, who had represented Peru on WFP issues, that Peru and all the other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean could not do that because they respected the Africa Group’s nomination.
63-Mugabe chose to be second Idi Amin instead of Mandela
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, a hero of the country’s liberation struggle, could have become his country’s Nelson Mandela but instead became a second Idi Amin, a cable just released by Wikileaks says. The cable quoting an editorial in a Brazilian centre-right newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo entitled: An Institutionalized Savagery, says Mugabe was being propped by then South African President Thabo Mbeki who tolerated the tyrant.
64-Mugabe and Zimbabwe one and the same thing- Chissano
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano said seven years ago President Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe were essentially the same and could not be separated. According to a diplomatic cable just released by Wikileaks, Chissano told Brazilian government officials in August 2004 that Africans must stop blaming their colonial past for the continent’s present problems.
65-Tsvangirai’s letter to Obama- Wikileaks
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai wrote United States President Barack Obama thanking him for the support he had given to his office and emphasised the need to maintain sanctions as a leverage to get concessions from the inclusive government. According to the latest batch of cables released by Wikileaks last week, the letter was delivered by hand to U.S. Defense Attache Lt Col. Patrick Anderson at the U.S. Embassy in Harare on 29 December 2009.
66-Nhema, Mpofu and Chiwenga named in rhino poaching
The names of Environment Minister Francis Nhema, Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, Defence Forces chief Constantine Chiwenga and chief of conservation in the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Vitalis Chadenga “repeatedly resurface in rumours” about rhino poaching- a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks last week says. The cable dispatched on 14 December 2009 says rhino poaching in Zimbabwe was rampant because of lax law enforcement and what appeared to be collusion with senior government officials.
67-Waiting for God or SADC!
This is how one of the latest diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks described the plight of white commercial farmers in the Chegutu area including that of farmer-turned activist- Ben Freeth, whose farm was allegedly taken over by Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politburo member Nathan Shamuyarira. The cable describes the plight of three white farmers and how scores of their workers have lost their livelihood.
68-Zimbabwe banks whistle past the graveyard
Zimbabwe’s banks were awash with so much cash-nine months after the introduction of the multiple currencies in 2009- that they did not seem to notice that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had robbed them of $39 million. A cable just released by Wikileaks says the banks had ample reserves beyond what the RBZ had diverted, and steady growth in deposits had helped the banking system to remain stable.
69-Tsvangirai says Mugabe is determined to take Zimbabwe down with him
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States President George Bush that Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front leader Robert Mugabe was determined to take Zimbabwe down with him as he tottered “towards the sunset of his biological and political life”.
70-Sex scandal in refugee camp
Four women refugees and eight teenage girls accused two officials of the International Catholic Migration Commission of demanding sexual favours from them in exchange for scholarships in Western countries, money to attend local schools, blankets, and sanitary supplies.
71-Catholic priest asks Chiyangwa to stop violence
A Catholic priest for Banket wrote Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front member Philip Chiyangwa urging him to stop the violence in the run-up to the 2000 Parliamentary elections after he had allegedly asked his audience to kill any member of the opposition. The priest’s letter was among the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks last week having found its way to the American embassy through the Movement for Democratic Change.
72-US praises Zimbabwe for its stance on terrorism
The United States showered Zimbabwe with praise on its stance on terrorism but that was way back in the 1980s before relations between the two nations soured. Zimbabwe had just cracked a major network of South African agents who were destabilising the country in their fight against the African National Congress which had been accorded official status in Harare.
73-Court orders war vets off farms but Mugabe unmoved
In a typical example of how much power President Robert Mugabe wields, a court ordered war veterans to move off the farms that they had occupied but Mugabe, who was in Havana at the time, told CNN that nothing of the sort was going to happen. His deputy Joseph Msika, who was acting president at the time, ordered the Minister of Home Affairs Dumiso Dabengwa, Minister of Local Government John Nkomo and Minister of State Security Sydney Sekeremayi to comply with the court order but war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi remained defiant saying: “we are now at war”.
74-Tsvangirai says SADC has responsibility to ensure parties abide by GPA
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the Southern African Development Community as the guarantors of Zimbabwe's transitional inclusive government must live up to its responsibility by ensuring that all parties to the Global Political Agreement abide by the letter and spirit of that agreement. He said this two years ago when he met Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila who was SADC chairman at the time.
75-Politically motivated prosecution of MDC-T legislators a futile exercise- Wikileaks
The prosecution of legislators from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, which the party claimed was aimed at overturning its majority in the House of Assembly, was a futile exercise because eight of the 10 Members of Parliament from the smaller faction of the MDC were solidly behind the MDC-T. This opinion is contained in a July 2009 diplomatic cable that has just been released by Wikileaks. The cable was looking at the spate of arrests and convictions of several legislators from MDC-T.
76-Mujuru working with Tsvangirai behind the scenes- Wikileaks
Vice-President Joyce Mujuru was working behind the scenes with the Movement for Democratic Change, former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said but added that it was not clear whether this was because of new found reformism or it was just a tactic against Emmerson Mnangagwa. McGee’s comments are contained a diplomatic cable that he dispatched in 2009 shortly after meeting Mujuru on 17 June.
77-Two faces of ZANU-PF
Co-Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi walked out of a meeting with then United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee saying he did not want to be lectured on how Zimbabwe could succeed because he had fought throughout his life against the British, Americans and Australians. McGee had told Mohadi and his partner Giles Mutsekwa at a meeting on 23 April 2009, barely two months after the formation of the inclusive government, that the West wanted to help Zimbabwe but Zimbabwe had to do more like stopping the continuing farm invasions.
78-Gono asked US ambassador for soft landing- Wikileaks
Central bank governor Gideon Gono had ambitious plans after the disputed parliamentary elections of March 2008, according to a cable just released by Wikileaks. He asked United States ambassador James McGee, however, to arrange a soft landing for him if things did not work out.
79-Gono says Mugabe wanted to retire after 2008 victory
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono told United States embassy officials that there was pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down before the 2008 elections but he argued that he would stay on to deliver a Zimbabwean African National Union-Patriotic Front victory and he also wanted to outlast former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.
80-Gono says Mugabe has terminal cancer
The media has been awash with reports that President Robert Mugabe has terminal cancer and has less than two years to go, but he has already outlived his expected term in office and the first predicted date of death. News about Mugabe’s health was leaked by central bank governor Gideon Gono to former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee in June 2007, three weeks before the presidential elections run-off.
81-Why Gono and Biti clashed over IMF money- Wikileaks
Central bank governor Gideon Gono clashed with Finance Minister Tendai Biti over the $500 million in special drawing rights granted to Zimbabwe by the International Monetary Fund in August 2009 because Gono regarded it as a windfall while Biti urged caution saying the money should be used to reduce the country’s arrears with international financial institutions. According to one of the cables just released by Wikileaks Biti told United States embassy officials that President Robert Mugabe supported the policy of debt reduction and this information had already been shared in cabinet.
82-Masiyiwa funded anti-rigging plan in 2008 elections- Wikileaks
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa predicted victory for Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change and funded an anti-rigging plan which he hoped would generate enough pressure on Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front’s Robert Mugabe to accept defeat. Masiyiwa disclosed his plans to United States embassy officials in Pretoria on 19 March, 10 days before the crucial parliamentary and presidential elections, according to a cable just released by Wikileaks.
83-Masiyiwa drafted power sharing agreement which Mugabe accepted!
Exiled Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa drafted a power-sharing agreement under which Zimbabwe would have adopted the 1980 constitution which would have seen Robert Mugabe become ceremonial president while Morgan Tsvangirai became executive prime minister. According to a diplomatic cable just released by Wikileaks, Mugabe had accepted the agreement in principle but wanted an indefinite term of office.
84-Mugabe was ready to concede defeat in 2008 - Wikileaks
President Robert Mugabe was prepare4ed to concede defeat after the 2008 elections and sent “emissaries” to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to discuss security and to negotiate a government of national unity that would include his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. A cable just released by Wikileaks which was dispatched on 1 April 2008, two days after the elections, says this information was relayed to United States ambassador James McGee by exiled businessman Strive Masiyiwa.
85-Masiyiwa baffled by Tsvangirai and Biti’s view of Mugabe
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa was baffled that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Finance Minister Tendai Biti had told United States government officials that President Robert was not as bad as they had thought he would be. He told this to United States assistant secretary of African Affairs Johnnie Carson on 10 May 2009 shortly after the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as South African president.
86-Biti says Gono issue is just academic
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee, less than three months after getting into office, that the issue of central bank governor Gideon Gono-which has been touted as one of the burning issues within the Global Political Agreement- was merely academic. "We have dealt with his mischief," he told McGee on 8 April 2009.
87-Biti says Mugabe is tired
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told a United States embassy official that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai should take a tougher stance on President Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front because Mugabe was tired. He met Donald Petterson, the charge d’affairs at the United States embassy, on 21 September 2009 and told him that while most ZANU-PF officials wanted the inclusive government to fail, Mugabe did not.
88-Biti says Gono is a thief
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told United States embassy officials that central bank governor Gideon Gono was a thief because he had misused commercial bank reserves at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. He was briefing embassy officials on the outcome of the Southern African Development Community troika meeting that had been held in Maputo the previous week.
89-US ambassador says MDC lacks vision
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray says Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change lacks strategic vision because its secretary general Tendai Biti has more than a full-time job as Minister of Finance and has insufficient time to devote to his party job. In a cable just released by Wikileaks which he dispatched on 17 December 2009 shortly after meeting Biti, Ray said Biti was impressive in his exposition of current political and economic dynamics.
90-Mnangagwa speaks on succession
That was the title of one of the cables just released by Wikileaks dispatched by the United States embassy in Harare on 29 May 2003, but Emmerson Mnangagwa who was Speaker of Parliament at the time hardly said anything about succession at all. According to the cable, the dodgy politician who is considered one of the possible successors to President Robert Mugabe preferred to talk about history rather than succession.
91-Gono would be massacred if he entered politics- Shamuyarira
Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front politburo member Nathan Shamuyarira told United States ambassador Christopher Dell that central bank governor Gideon Gono would be “massacred” if he entered into the political ring. According to one of the cables released by Wikileaks Shamuyarira, who was the party’s secretary for information and publicity, told this to Dell on 27 November 2006. He was briefing the ambassador on his insights into the succession battle within ZANU-PF.
92-Military planned coup after signing of GPA!
A Zimbabwean businessman described as “a close embassy contact” told United States ambassador James McGee that five high ranking military officers were planning a coup shortly after the signing of the Global Political Agreement in 2008. Fred Mutanda, who is said to be a former ZIPRA commander and chairman of the American Business Association of Zimbabwe, told McGee on 21 October 2008 that the coup was planned while President Robert Mugabe was away in Kampala.
93-US ambassador says Mnangagwa and Mujuru are not likely to become president
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray says Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice- President Joice Mujuru are not likely to become president. In a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks that he dispatched on 8 December 2009 at the start of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front congress, Ray said though there were two principal factions in ZANU-PF one led by Mujuru and the other by Mnangagwa that of Mujuru seemed to be in ascendancy while that of Mnangagwa was in the decline.
94-Gen Mujuru tells US its approach insults Zimbabwe’s “manhood”
Former army commander the late General Solomon Mujuru told United States ambassador Christopher Dell five years ago that Washington’s approach to Zimbabwe was an attack on the government of Zimbabwe’s “manhood”. "You cannot come into another man's house and tell him he has a problem with his family," he told Dell according to a diplomatic cable just released by Wikileaks.
95-Mujuru camp sought US help to remove Mugabe
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front faction loyal to the late Solomon Mujuru was so desperate to get rid of President Robert Mugabe before the crucial extra-ordinary congress of 2007 that it sought help from the United States government. This was the commentary of former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell after a meeting with one of Mujuru’s lieutenants, David Butau on 31 May 2007.
96-Gen Mujuru told Mugabe to resign two weeks before 2008 elections!
Gen Solomon Mujuru told President Robert Mugabe to step down on 10 March 2008 but Mugabe instead went ahead to tell the press that Mujuru was fully behind him and not former Finance Minister Simba Makoni who was the third presidential candidate. According to a cable just released by Wikileaks, this information was disclosed to United States ambassador James McGee on 17 March by Mujuru’s political advisor and business partner and former legislator Tirivanhu Mudariki.
97-Gen Mujuru’s about turn
General Solomon Mujuru, who had been piling up pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down and even gave him an ultimatum two weeks before the 2008 elections, suddenly turned around after the elections and gave no hint at all that he had had differences with Mugabe. According to a cable by United States ambassador James McGee who met Mujuru on 10 April, although embassy officials had reliable reports that Mujuru tried to move Mugabe out of the presidency and that he backed Simba Makoni in the presidential election, “Mujuru in this meeting gave no indication of a rift with Mugabe”. Instead, “he played the role of a senior ZANU-PF stalwart”.
98-Botswana celebrated Jonathan Moyo’s departure from government
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo did not only have enemies in Zimbabwe but outside as well. Botswana celebrated his departure from government in 2005 claiming that he had spoiled bilateral relations between the two countries. According to a diplomatic cable dispatched by United States ambassador to Botswana Joseph Huggins on 13 May 2005, Manyepedza Lesetedi, the director of the Africa and Asia division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, complained that under Moyo any Zimbabwean with a complaint against Botswana spoke freely about it.
99-US official says Jonathan Moyo is a political chameleon
A United States embassy official has described Zimbabwe’s Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo as a political chameleon, a master at changing his spots, and a man driven by personal ambition. In a cable just released by Wikileaks which he dispatched on 20 July 2005 Charge d'Affaires Eric T. Schultz said Moyo’s courage in publicly taking on the Robert Mugabe regime at a time when few others seemed inclined to do so made him a potentially pivotal player in Zimbabwe's dysfunctional political scene.
100-Jonathan Moyo says Mnangagwa is too loyal to Mugabe
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told United States ambassador Christopher Dell that Emmerson Mnangagwa, considered one of the front-runners to succeed President Robert Mugabe, was too loyal to Mugabe to upset the cart. He even cited a joke that was doing the rounds in Harare that when Vice-President Joseph Msika told Mnangagwa that he and Mugabe were stepping down, Mnangagwa told him he would step down too.
101-Mugabe fears hanging if he leaves office
President Robert Mugabe genuinely fears hanging if he leaves office, former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell four years ago. According to a diplomatic cable just released by Wikileaks, Mugabe was quite aware of diminishing support for him both in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the country.
102-US ambassador concedes that Jonathan Moyo is a shrewd analyst
Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell, who was allegedly at the centre of his government’s push to remove President Robert Mugabe, conceded that although his former confidante Jonathan Moyo was now an opponent of Mugabe and his views about the president should be read in that light he was also a shrewd analyst.
103-Mugabe named Mnangagwa his successor in 2007!
President Robert Mugabe named Emmerson Mnangagwa as his successor just before the crucial extra-ordinary party congress in 2007 and told his Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front colleagues that he would step down after winning the elections in 2008. This was revealed by his former confidante Jonathan Moyo in September 2007 according to a diplomatic cable that has just been released by Wikileaks. The cable was dispatched on 18 September 2007 by Political/Economic chief Glenn Warren.
104-Joice Mujuru behind Murambatsvina!
Vice- President Joyce Mujuru was behind Operation Murambatsvina, a clean-up exercise that left more than 700 000 people homeless a few months after the 2005 general elections which the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front had won by a two-thirds majority. This was alleged by former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo who dismissed reports that Security Minister Didymus Mutasa had master-minded the campaign.
105-US to work with Mujuru as she might be next president
The United States will maintain contact with Vice-President Joice Mujuru because she might become the next president if President Robert Mugabe leaves the scene before elections. Donald Petterson, the charge d’affaires at the US embassy in Harare, said in a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks that although Joice and her husband had a reputation for corruption, she would likely be more amenable to political reform than Mugabe.
106-VP Mujuru held clandestine meeting with US ambassador
Vice President Joice Mujuru held a clandestine meeting with United States ambassador Charles Ray shortly after the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front congress of 2009 and urged the ambassador to work together with her. According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, the meeting was held in an unoccupied house which belongs to the Mujurus on the outskirts of Harare and she even poured the tea herself.
107-Military does not like VP Mujuru says Tanzanian ambassador
The military is likely to push Emmerson Mnangagwa as leader if President Robert Mugabe dies before a successor is chosen because the securocrats do not like Vice President Joice Mujuru. This was said by Tanzanian ambassador to Zimbabwe Adadi Rajabu on 15 December 2009 according to a diplomatic cable just released by Wikileaks.
108-Makoni ZANU-PF to the core
Former Finance Minister and now Mavambo leader Simba Makoni was a ZANU-PF party man to the core even though he openly criticised the party. This was said by former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell in September 2006 in a cable released by Wikileaks.
109-Makoni talks about three ways for regime change
Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leader Simba Makoni told United States ambassador Christopher Dell that he could think of only three ways to effect regime change in Zimbabwe. The first was a mass uprising but he discounted this possibility, not because the people were not angry, but because they were focused on trying to survive.
110-Gono ZANU-PF’s poster boy for corruption
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gonohad become the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s poster boy for corruption and financial mismanagement, former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said barely a month after the swearing in of the inclusive government.
111-ACR boss says Mbada can increase diamond production 10-fold
African Consolidated Resources chief Andrew Cranswick told United States ambassador Charles Ray that Mbada, one of the joint-venture partners in the Mrange diamonds, could produce gem quality and industrial diamonds worth over $1.6 billion a year. And it could increase this production 10-fold.
112-Presence of Gono frightens investors
Although the central bank no longer has the means to disrupt the economy as it did during Zimbabwe's hyperinflation, the very fact that Gono is still on the payroll frightens anyone who might consider a financial commitment that lasts more than a week. This was said by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray after meeting businessman Kumbirai Katsande, according to a cable he dispatched on 16 February 2010.
113-Chindori-Chininga says Obert Mpofu is a crook and a thief
Former Mines Minister Edward Chindori-Chininga has described current minister Obert Mpofu as a crook and a thief. According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks Chindori-Chininga told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray on 21 January 2010 that Mpofu had entered into unlawful partnerships with Mbada and Canadile to mine diamonds in Marange.
114-Mudarikwa confirmed as MP who likened ZANU-PF to a troop of baboons
Uzumba/Pfungwe Member of Parliament Simba Mudarikwa has finally been confirmed as the legislator who likened the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front “to a troop of baboons incessantly fighting among themselves, but coming together to face an external threat”.
115-Sydney Masamvu- Martial law looms in Zimbabwe
Under the headline Martial Law Looms, the August 9 edition of the independent weekly The Financial Gazette carried the following lead article by the paper’s political editor, Sydney Masamvu:
116-Masamvu promoted
The privately owned weekly Financial Gazette has appointed Nqobile Nyathi, 29, as editor. Nyathi replaces veteran journalist Francis Mdlongwa who led the "FinGaz" from 1997 to 2002. In other staff changes at the FinGaz Abel Mutsakani becomes Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Sydney Masamvu,Assistant Editor.
117-Masamvu hails US military campaign to disarm Iraq
Under headline "It's time to flush out the Saddams of this world" the March 27 edition of the independent weekly "The Financial Gazette" carried an opinion piece by Sydney Masamvu - the paper's Assistant Editor - on page 18 in which he hails the ongoing United States-led military campaign to disarmIraq, saying, "The year 2003 should be dedicated to flushing out dictators the world over - in Baghdad, Havana, Jakarta, southern Africa - and send them running."
118-Zimbabwe tops Bush’s agenda
Under headline "Zimbabwe tops Bush's agenda" the "Daily News" (06/25) carried the following article by Sydney Masamvu, Assistant Editor: "A quick resolution of the political impasse in Zimbabwe and the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the continent's economic blueprint, will top the agenda of U. S. President George Bush's first ever visit to Southern Africa on 9 July, diplomats disclosed yesterday.
119-Manheru names journos with US intelligence links
Nathaniel Manheru (the pen name for Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba) blasted the international media for inaccurately reporting on the situation in Zimbabwe. He also accuses the State Department of using a "lady American intelligence officer" to create a "full-blown structure" in Pretoria for training journalists.
120-US official says Mugabe has consistently outplayed South Africans
A United States embassy official in Pretoria expressed doubts that the South African government could ease President Robert Mugabe out of power arguing that he had always outplayed the South Africans. Charge d'Affaires John J. Hartley said in a cable dispatched on 19 July 2005 that the South African government had decided that it could not standby and watch Zimbabwe collapse, but though it wanted Mugabe gone, it wanted this to be through controlled constitutional change and not economic implosion or a violent uprising.
121-Masamvu says Mugabe has given Gono free rein
International Crisis Group analyst Sydney Masamvu told United States embassy officials in South Africa that when Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono came to South Africa to discuss a bailout, Gono told him that Mugabe had given him free rein to discuss the loan. Gono told him that he hoped that the South African government would give him $500 million to “deal with the IMF”.
122-Gono was aware Masamvu talks to US embassy officials
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono was aware that International Crisis Group analyst Sydney Masamvu, who had worked as a journalist for the Financial Gazette and the Daily News, talked to United States embassy officials in Pretoria and may have misled him to fend off the International Monetary Fund from expelling Zimbabwe out of the organisation.
123-Mugabe prepared to repeal repressive laws to get loan from SA
President Robert Mugabe was prepared to repeal repressive laws like the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Public Order and Security Act to get a loan of about $500 million from South Africa in 2005. According to one of the cable released by Wikileaks, central bank governor Gideon Gono told former journalist Sydney Masamvu that Mugabe had given him flexibility to discuss political terms for the loan with the Pretoria government.
124-Wikileaks says Masamvu on US payroll
A diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks shows that former journalist Sydney Masamvu was on the United States Agency for International Development payroll when he left the International Crisis Group to join the Institute for Democracy in South Africa. He had worked for the ICG until they closed their office in South Africa in September 2006.
125-Masamvu says Gen Mujuru was on war path to get rid of Mugabe
Idasa analyst Sydney Masamvu told United States embassy officials soon after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front conference at Goromonzi in 2006 that Solomon Mujuru was on a war path to get President Robert Mugabe out of office.
126-SA opposed to extension of Mugabe’s term- Masamvu
The South African government was opposed to the extension of President Robert Mugabe’s term of office from 2008 to 2010 the United States’ South African embassy contact Sydney Masamvu told officials after meeting African National Congress secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe.
127-Getting Bob out first step to change in Zimbabwe
Getting President Robert Mugabe out was now the first step toward change in Zimbabwe because even South African President Thabo Mbeki, who had often been accused of being too close to Mugabe, now believed it was impossible for Zimbabwe to move forward as long as Mugabe remained in power.
128-Mbeki wanted Mugabe out before he left office
South African President Thabo Mbeki wanted to “get Bob” before he left office so that he could enhance a legacy battered by his lack of response to the HIV/Aids pandemic and inability to deal with violent crime, a cable just released by Wikileaks says.
129-Masamvu double-cross
Pretoria was so desperate to get analytical information on Zimbabwe that Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad asked Idasa analyst Sydney Masamvu to give him a five-page analysis about the situation in Zimbabwe in 10 days. But Masamvu reported his entire conversation to United States embassy officials in Pretoria two days later and even asked them what to incorporate in his paper to Pahad.
130-Masamvu passes MDC document to US officials
Idasa analyst Sydney Masamvu had a copy of the 10-page document on the concerns of the two Movement for Democratic Change formations sent to South African President Thabo Mbeki and handed it over to United States embassy officials in Pretoria who in turn emailed it to their embassy in Harare.
131-Tsvangirai says everything is in short supply in Zimbabwe except misery
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai did not make a good first impression when he held his first briefing for diplomats in Pretoria on 5 June 2007. According to one of the cables released by Wikileaks Tsvangirai read a prepared speech about deteriorating living conditions in Zimbabwe, citing increasing poverty and lower life expectancy.
132-Mugabe tried to put Mujuru under surveillance but CIO refused
President Robert Mugabe tried to put former army commander Solomon Mujuru under surveillance in 2007 but the Central Intelligence Organisation refused to do so and told him. Mujuru is reported to have told this to former Zimbabwean journalist Sydney Masamvu who was now an analyst for Idasa. Masamvu told American diplomats in Pretoria that at that time Mujuru would have handed Mugabe over to international prosecutors if he could.
133-Richard Branson funded elders to talk Mugabe out of power
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo approached United Kingdom businessman Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic, to bankroll an initiative by African elders to get President Robert Mugabe to step down. The elders were expected to meet secretly in Johannesburg from on 17 and 18 July 2007, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
134-Botswana wanted to “take the gloves off” with Mugabe
South Africa and Botswana were so pissed off with lack of progress in finding a solution to the Zimbabwean problem that Botswana wanted “to take the gloves off” with President Robert Mugabe at the next Southern African Development Community summit, a cable released by Wikileaks says. According to the cable this was told to former journalist Sydney Masamvu by South Africa’s Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs Ayanda Ntsaluba in August 2007.
135-Trevor Ncube thoroughly disgusted with MDC
Zimbabwean publisher Trevor Ncube was thoroughly disgusted with the Movement for Democratic Change that he had nightmares about the MDC taking over Zimbabwe. According to a cable released by Wikileaks Ncube told this to United States embassy officials when he suggested a “third way” that would involve people like Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa, former Industry Minister Nkosana Moyo, former Finance Minister Simba Makoni and Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono.
136-Masamvu sceptical about constitutional amendment
IDASA analyst Sydney Masamvu was very sceptical about the agreement of the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front on Constitutional Amendment 18 because he felt the MDC had given “everything” to ZANU-PF and had received virtually nothing in return.
137-MDC pressured into signing constitutional amendment
The Movement for Democratic Change was pressured into agreeing to Constitutional Amendment Number 18 which harmonised presidential, parliamentary and local government elections according to IDASA analyst Sydney Masamvu. According to a cable released by Wikileaks, Masamvu was told by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube of the smaller MDC faction on 4 October 2007 that that South African negotiators led by Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi, Director General in the Presidency Frank Chikane, and Advocate Mojanku Gumbi travelled to Harare 29-30 September to hammer out an agreement with ZANU-PF and MDC officials on a new constitution.
138-Masamvu says Zuma expected to be more robust on Mugabe
Although United States embassy officials in Pretoria did not believe that the election of Jacob Zuma as President of the African National Congress would see an immediate change in South Africa’s foreign policy, Idasa analyst Sydney Masamvu believed that Zuma would be “more robust” in his criticism of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
139-Mbeki gave Mugabe three options before 2008 elections
South African President Thabo Mbeki was still frantically working on a political solution for Zimbabwe two months before the harmonised elections of 2008 and gave the negotiating parties three options. According to Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett and Idasa analyst Sydney Masamvu Mbeki had presented the MDC and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front three options to break the deadlock:
140-No one gave the MDC a chance in 2008
No one believed that the Movement for Democratic Change would defeat President Robert Mugabe in the 2008 elections so everyone was frantically trying to set up coalitions to beat Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front. According to one of the cables released by Wikileaks, there was a lot of speculation that disgruntled members of ZANU-PF, especially from the Solomon Mujuru faction, would team up with the MDC but the question of who was going to lead the coalition always lingered.
141-Norway funded Masamvu and company to observe 2008 elections
Political analyst Sydney Masamvu was one of 15 members of theInstitute for Democracy in South Africa staff that were to be sent to Zimbabwe to observe the 2008 elections. The team was to include the head of the institute Paul Graham and was funded by the government of Norway.
142-Dabengwa was confident Mugabe could be defeated
Former Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa was confident that President Robert Mugabe would be defeated in the 2008 elections. He told American embassy officials on 12 March, just two weeks before the elections, that the candidacy of Simba Makoni, who had announced his challenge and was now heading a party called Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn, was not about Makoni but about rescuing the nation.
143-South Africa interested in stability in Zimbabwe not democracy
South Africa is interested in stability in Zimbabwe and not in democracy United States embassy officials in Zimbabwe said in the run-up to the 2008 elections. They were commenting on observer missions that flocked to Zimbabwe to monitor the first harmonised elections.
144-MDC broke after 2008 elections
The Movement for Democratic Change was so broke after the 2008 elections that it could not even print its presidential newsletter because it had run out paper and ink. MDC advisor Kathi Walther told American embassy officials that party treasurer Roy Bennett had budgeted for the elections but had not anticipated that the results would be delayed.
145-Masamvu said Mugabe would hand over to Mnangagwa in six months
Political analyst Sydney Masamvu said prior to the presidential election run-off of 2008 that President Robert Mugabe’s campaign would be run by the military, not party officials. The commander of the Defence Forces Constantine Chiwenga and Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri were pushing for Mugabe to remain President for another six months and then Emmerson Mnangagwa would take over.
146-Diplomats question Tsvangirai’s ability to deliver
Although several diplomats were stressing the need for Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to return to the country before the presidential elections run-off of 2008, some had started questioning his ability to deliver.
147-Tsvangirai listed “dealbreakers” to participate in run-off
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai set 16 conditions to participate in the presidential election run-off with five of them labelled as dealbreakers. According to a cable by Wikileaks, Tsvangirai told a press conference in Pretoria on 10 May that he would participate in the elections but they had to be held no later than 24 May. The run-off was finally held on 27 June.
148-Bennett says Masiyiwa is a control freak
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett was so frustrated by party leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s delay in returning to Zimbabwe that he complained that Tsvangirai’s concerns about security were “nonsense” because he could be assassinated in South Africa or elsewhere on the continent if the Mugabe regime wanted him dead.
149-UN envoy wanted GNU without Mugabe
United Nations assistant secretary for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios told political analyst Sydney Masamvu that he planned to talk to Southern African Development Community members to build solidarity for a government of national unity which would exclude President Robert Mugabe and would be led by Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
150-Political tug-of-war- Mugabe versus Tsvangirai
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was prepared to give Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai nothing higher than third vice-President when negotiations for the formation of the government of national unity started after the indecisive 20008 elections.
151-Tsvangirai wanted to be President with Mugabe as Prime Minister- Wikileaks
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told members of the Southern African Development Community Troika in Sandton Johannesburg that he was not prepared to play second fiddle to President Robert Mugabe but would instead like to become President with Mugabe as Prime Minister.
152-Zuma asks how West can expect cooperation from Mugabe when they are so critical of him
African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma asked the how the West could expect Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to cooperate with them when they were so critical of him. Zuma posed the question to then United States President George Bush, National Security advisor Stephen Hadley, Secretary Condoleezza Rice, USAID administrator Henrietta Fore when he met them in Washington in October 2008. He was not yet South African president.
153-SA refuses to bow down to pressure to force Mugabe to step down
Despite the stalemate following the signing of the Global Political Agreement which was to usher Zimbabwe’s government of national unity, the South African government showed no inclination at all to force President Robert Mugabe to step down.
154-Sekeramayi is presidential material-Wikileaks
Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, who is one of the longest serving cabinet ministers, was identified way back in the 1980s as one of the leading contenders to succeed President Robert Mugabe. According to one of the cables released by Wikileaks, Sekeramayi was an impressive individual in conversation and appeared to be both brighter and more articulate than most of his colleagues.
155-Ministers demand cut on oils deals with South Africa-Wikileaks
Some unnamed government ministers wrote to the South African power company Eskom and oil company Sasol demanding a cut on all business deals between Zimbabwe and South Africa because they operated businesses that could act as middlemen- one of the cables released by Wikileaks says.
156-Cabinet reshuffle shows power of hardliners and military- Wikileaks
A cabinet reshuffle on 10 February 2004 which saw only one minister being dismissed was viewed by United States embassy officials as an “anti-climatic disappointment” which suggested “immobility and paralysis to the extreme”. According to a cable released by Wikileaks the reshuffle suggested “continuing hard-liner influence and military presence in political circles” but was not likely to signal a significant shift in the direction or quality of government policy.
157-Life under ZANU-PF has been one long nightmare
This was the headline of the Daily News in the run-up to the 2002 presidential elections after Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa said the party would not cede the reins of power for any reason. The Daily News comment is contained in one of the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks. The cable, dispatched on 9 March 2002, reads in part:
158-Mutasa says life is normal in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa said eight years ago everything was normal in Zimbabwe and anybody who thought otherwise should have his head examined.
159-ZANU-PF’s disdain for parliament
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front did not have a lot of respect for Parliament despite its majority in the House and instead it preferred to use statutory instruments to pass legislation as these could be effective immediately without having to go through the rigorous process that bills had to do through.
160-Bennett floors Chinamasa and Mutasa
Many observers were abhorred at Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett’s behaviour when he floored two Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Ministers in Parliament but an equal number were proud of him, according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
161-Mutasa says no to US election observers
Zimbabwe did not want United States or British election observers because they applied double standards against the country, Didymus Mutasa who was the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for External Affairs at the time told US embassy officials at his office at the party headquarters.
162-US embassy wanted reward Josiah Hungwe for providing useful information- Wikileaks
United States embassy officials in Harare wanted former Masvingo provincial governor Josiah Hungwe to be removed from the United States sanctions list because he had provided the embassy with useful information in the past and was now on the “outs” within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
163-Chombo among those enriching themselves- Wikileaks
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo is named as one of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front hardliners who were either enriching themselves from the government’s interventionist policies way back in 2003 or were unwilling to put pressure on Mugabe to make a change.
164-Chombo among ZANU-PF officials who got multiple farms- Wikileaks
Leaked documents that were circulating in March 2003 listed Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo as one of the top officials of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front who had received more than one farm under the controversial land reform programme.
165-Why the US is interested in the land issue in Zimbabwe
The United States was interested in the land issue in Zimbabwe because some of its citizens lost land to the government without any compensation even though in some cases the citizens had bought the farms after the government had declared no interest.
166-Mudzuri says Chombo is undermining MDC
The former mayor of Harare Elias Mudzuri who was suspended from his post by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo told United States embassy officials that Chombo was trying to undermine the Movement for Democratic Change by persecuting him so that he could seize control of municipalities that the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front could not win through the ballot.
167-US was aware Chombo had two wives five years before divorce
United States embassy officials in Harare were aware that Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo had two “wives” almost five years before his acrimonious divorce with his first wife Marian. Both wives were on the United States sanctions list way back in 2005.
168-Mugabe outmanoeuvred MDC to increase size of cabinet
President Robert Mugabe outmanoeuvred the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change in naming the new government because his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front ended up with more ministers than the two MDC factions.
169-Chombo conspicuous by his absence at Tsvangirai’s first big event
Several Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front senior officials, including Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo failed to attend Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s launch of his 100-day plan to revive the country’s economy. This was despite the fact that Tsvangirai had allocated three of the five clusters that he wanted to spearhead the revival to ZANU-PF ministers.
170-Chombo protects “corrupt” MDC councillors
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo refused to fire Movement for Democratic Change councillors from Chitungwiza after the party had dismissed all 23 for corruption, breach of the party’s charter and insubordination. Chombo said he was not going to dismiss them because he did not want to meddle in party affairs, but this was probably meant to spite the MDC.
171-Did Mutasa cost Gula-Ndebele his job?
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa might have cost former Attorney-General Sobusa Gula-Ndebele his job when he was Minister of State Security. Gula-Ndebele tried to prosecute Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa for allegedly trying to dissuade witnesses from testifying in an assault case against Mutasa.
172-US embassy not spared during economic collapse
The United States embassy in Harare was not spared during the economic collapse of the country according to a cable dispatched by the embassy in January 2008. The cable, released by Wikileaks, says the free-fall in Harare's public service delivery was severely taxing the embassy's The International Cooperative Administrative Support Services budgets and staffing, which State Department workload data showed were the leanest in Africa despite Harare's unprecedented rate of peacetime collapse.
173-Simba Makoni or Jonathan Moyo-who was responsible for postponement of nomination date?
New theories are now being floated as to why the government postponed the nomination date and the voter registration for the 2008 elections by a week to 15 February. The government said it postponed the nomination date to allow political parties to have more time to submit names of their candidates.
174-How the US viewed the MDC victory in 2008
The United States embassy in Harare viewed the 2008 election victory by the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change as something that would have far-reaching implications as the two were going to control the House of Assembly. “If Tsvangirai ultimately becomes president, and assuming support of Mutambara formation MPs, he will be able to gain legislative support for economic and political reform,” embassy officials said in a diplomatic cable dispatched after the results.
175-Tsvangirai galvanises short-lived MDC united front
The superb showing by the Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change in both the parliamentary and presidential elections of 2008, which saw the party pip the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front in the lower House for the first time in 28 years and Tsvangirai beat Robert Mugabe though failing to win an outright victory, led to wide speculation that the MDC-T had teamed up with its junior partner to save MDC- Mutambara bigwigs who had been clobbered in Bulawayo by MDC-T candidates.
176-US recommends that Mutasa be placed on UN sanctions list
Didymus Mutasa was listed as one of the 14 Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front senior officials who should be placed on United Nations sanctions because of his activities to undermine democracy.
177-Mutambara says we are smarter than the Australians and Americans
The leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Arthur Mutambara said Zimbabwe’s opposition leaders were smarter than the Australians and the Americans.
178-Unelected councillor is “elected” council chairman
David Mutasa a cousin of then Security Minister Didymus Mutasa lost the 2008 Makoni rural council elections but appointed himself councillor and was then “elected” chairman of the council, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
179-Mutasa says SADC Tribunal was day dreaming
Security and Lands Minister Didymus Mutasa said the Southern African Development Community Tribunal, which had ruled in favour of compensation for white farmers whose land had been expropriated by the government, must have been daydreaming and Zimbabwe would not abide by the ruling.
180-Unproductive year for parliament
2008 was one of the most unproductive years on record for the Parliament of Zimbabwe, according to a cable just released by Wikileaks. Only three bills were passed- all in January. The House of Assembly only sat for 13 days and the Senate for 11 days.
181-Chombo, Border Gezi and Chanetsa compete to gain favour with Mugabe
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo, Mashonaland Central governor Border Gezi and Mashonaland West governor Peter Chanetsa embarked on an unprecedented wave of violence in the run-up to the 2000 parliamentary elections to gain favour with President Robert Mugabe, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
182-Chombo described as a non-entity in Mugabe’s cabinet
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo was described as a non-entity in President Robert Mugabe’s 2000 cabinet which saw him bring in young technocrats while ditching some of his loyalists. The technocrats included Simba Makoni, Nkosana Moyo,Joseph Made and Jonathan Moyo. The two economic ministers Makoni and Nkosana Moyo were viewed as “attractive ambassadors for Zimbabwe to the world”.
183-US ambassador describes Mugabe as a strategic thinker
Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald described President Robert Mugabe as an enigmatic if not mercurial figure who despite the economic problems the country was facing had not lost his edge as a strategic thinker.
184-Commercial farmers go for broke
The Commercial Farmers Union filed a 1000-page lawsuit against President Robert Mugabe and his government on 18 September 2000 in the forlorn hope that the lawsuit could at least allow them to obtain financing for the coming season
185-Chombo says get your own plot- we will sort things out later
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo told peasants who had invaded commercial farms to in the Darwendale area to demarcate their own plots because the government did not have technicians to do so. "We will have to attend to that later go ahead and resettle yourselves in time for the rains,” he reportedly said.
186-Delta boss planned deal to enable government to buy up 400 farms
Delta Corporation boss Patrick Rooney told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald 10 years ago that his company was arranging a credit facility that would enable the government to buy 300 to 400 commercial farms that had been designated for acquisition.
187-Did Chombo make an about-turn on land reform?
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo is reported to have promised United Nations Development Programme resident representative Victor Angelo that new invasions of commercial farms would stop, "demonstrators" on unlisted and foreign owned farms would be removed, and the war veterans' violence and death threats would cease.
188-Chombo tells diplomats land reform is irreversible -it is unhealthy to continue debating the issue
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo told selected diplomats on 21 December 2000 that land reform in Zimbabwe was irreversible so it was unhealthy to continue debating the issue.
189-MDC challenges Mugabe presidential decree
There was keen interest from diplomats and other political watchers when the Movement for Democratic Change challenged a decree issued by President Robert Mugabe prohibiting the nullification of the election of any Member of Parliament. The case was heard by the Supreme Court on 19 January 2001.
190-Farmers say Mugabe does not want to destroy agriculture but to keep them out of politics
Some members of the Commercial Farmers Union said they did not believe that President Robert Mugabe’s goal was to destroy commercial farming but rather it was to intimidate them so that they would be so traumatised that they would never support an opposition party.
191-Fast-track land reform divides white farmers
The concerted fast-track land reform that the government had embarked on since 2000 had divided white farmers by February 2001 with some arguing that they should work with the government to break the impasse while others said the government was not interested in any compromise because as far as the government was concerned land was political.
192-Mugabe so unpopular that he needs 250 000 to canvass for him
A former legislator for Chimanimani Michael Mataure told United States embassy officials in February 2001 that President Robert Mugabe had become so unpopular that he would have to deploy 250 000 people to canvass for him to win the 2002 presidential elections but his party simply did not have the resources to mount such a campaign.
193-CFU director proposed sanctions on individuals rather than on Zimbabwe
The idea to have sanctions targeted at individuals including President Robert Mugabe rather than on Zimbabwe as a country might have come from Commercial Farmers Union director David Hasluck.
194-Iden Wetherell says Mnangagwa is one of the most intelligent men in government
Iden Wetherell, a senior editor at The Independent and widely believed to be the writer of the satirical Muckraker, told United States embassy officials in Harare 10 years ago that Emmerson Mnangagwa was a “nimble operator” and "one of the most intelligent men in government”.
195-Chombo announces ultra fast-track land reform
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo announced at the beginning of May 2001 that the government was introducing an ultra fast-track land reform programme that would see more than 35 000 people resettled by the end of the month.
196-Mujuru, Ndlovu ordered Chinotimba to stay out Bulawayo mayoral elections
Former army commander Solomon Mujuru and Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front political commissar Sikhanyiso Ndlovu ordered war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba and his militia to stay away from the Bulawayo mayoral elections campaign, according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
197-What the hell is this?
In one of the vaguest cables released by Wikileaks, the United States embassy in Harare sent out a list of names under a cable entitled: Education allowances for Zimbabwe- Year 2007- Harare 574. It is not clear what the list was about but The Insider found it while searching for war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda. It is not even clear whether the Sibanda in the cable is the war veterans leader?
198-Jabulani Sibanda loses favour with ZANU-PF bigwigs
War veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda surprised everyone when he spearheaded the Million Men and Women March set for Harare to show support for President Robert Mugabe’s candidacy for the 2008 elections because he had been expelled from the Zimbabwe African National Union- patriotic Front.
199-Dabengwa biggest loser in Bulawayo violence
Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politburo member Dumiso Dabengwa, now leader of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union, was the biggest loser from the violence that erupted in Bulawayo in November 2001 and saw the offices of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change being razed in a fire and his colleague Sikhanyiso Ndlovu’s college being gutted by fire.
200-Mnangagwa Zimbabwe’s Gorbachev!
Pearson Mbalekwa, one of the Zimbabwe African national Union-Patriotic Front legislators who broke away from the party amid speculation that he would form another with Information Minister Jonathan Moyo with the backing of and ZANU-PF politburo member Emmerson Mnangagwa, described Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s Gorbachev.
201-Amnesty International and its love-hate relationship with Mugabe and Mutasa
Amnesty International seems to be in a quandary over its relationship with Zimbabwe. In the 1970s the human rights organisation adopted Robert Mugabe and Didymus Mutasa, among other combatants, as "prisoners of conscience".
202-Prosecutor told US official that Tomana was scared of Jestina Mukoko’s case
A State prosecutor in the case of human rights activist Jestina Mukoko is said to have told a United States embassy official that attorney-general Johannes Tomana and the government’s chief prosecutor Florence Ziyambi were scared of Mukoko’s case.
203-Mutasa, Chinamasa, Mohadi sued for $19.2 million
Former Minister of State for Security Didymus Mutasa, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi together with other top security officers were sued for $19.2 million by 15 Movement for Democratic Change activists who claimed they had been abducted, detained and deprived of their liberty.
204-Zimbabwe riskiest investment destination?
Zimbabwe was ranked the riskiest investment destination in 2009 along with Afghanistan by United States credit rating company Dun and Bradstreet, according to one of the cables released by Wikileaks. The report cited "economic, political, commercial, external, and political Insecurity".
205-Jethro Goko lobbied Zuma to be tough on Mugabe
Zimbabwean journalist Jethro Goko is reported to have lobbied South African President Jacob Zuma to be tougher on President Robert Mugabe. At the time Zuma was not yet the country’s president but was president of the ruling African National Congress.
206-Masiyiwa, Takawira and Goko tried to ease Mugabe out
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa, Eton Capital executive and former Barclays Bank managing director Isaac Takawira, Triumph Venture Capital chief executive Wellington Chadehumbe and Johnnic Communications executive Jethro Goko have now been identified as the four exiled Zimbabwean businessmen who floated the idea of trying to ease President Robert Mugabe out way back in 2007 and replace him with a technocratic Prime Minister.
207-Mutasa says Jonathan Moyo is an asset to ZANU-PF
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa has described former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo as an “important asset” to the party.
208-Some rich journalist!
Andrisson Manyere a freelance journalist who has made more headlines from his arrests than from his journalistic work seems to be doing quite well –moneywise. According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks Manyere had US$4 500, a laptop computer, three cell phones and digital camera when he was abducted by security agents in December 2008.
209-VP Mujuru refused to pay workers minimum wage says union leader
New farmers including Vice-President Joice Mujuru were refusing to pay farm workers the agreed minimum wage according to the secretary general of the General Agricultural and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe Gertrude Hambira.
210-Zvobgo Jnr and Jonathan Moyo differ on future of VP Mujuru
Eddison Zvobgo Junior believed that President Robert Mugabe could step down and allow Vice-President Joice Mujuru to stand as president in 2008 provided she could protect him from prosecution but Mugabe’s former spin doctor Jonathan Moyo thought that he was not going to step down until 2010 but might change the constitution to create the post of Prime Minister for Mujuru.
211-Jonathan Moyo says Mandela asked Mugabe to step down in 2007
Former South African President Nelson Mandela asked President Robert Mugabe to step down in 2007 so that he could preserve his legacy as a liberation hero but Mugabe is reported to have disparaged Mandela as a “Western puppet”.
212-Was Ibbo Mandaza the public voice of Mujuru?
Political commentator and former publisher of the Mirror newspapers group Ibbo Mandaza was the public voice of former army Commander Solomon Mujuru, United States embassy officials said in a cable released by Wikileaks. “Mandaza is a long-time ZANU-PF stalwart. He is now a confidante of, and advisor to, Solomon Mujuru….Mandaza is a public voice of Solomon Mujuru. He is convinced Mugabe will leave office soon; the question is when,” the cables says.
213-Mujuru and Mutasa clash over farm evictions
State Security and Lands Minister Didymus Mutasa’s efforts to evict the remaining white commercial farmers four years ago were met with stiff resistance from the country’s two Vice-Presidents, Joseph Msika and Joice Mujuru.
214-Why no one in ZANU-PF is challenging Mugabe
Though most members of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front, especially those from the Mujuru faction, have wanted President Robert Mugabe to go for some time, Mugabe has managed to maintain his control over the party through patronage and fear, according to Wikileaks.
215-Mugabe has dossiers on the illegal activities of his colleagues- Wikileaks
President Robert Mugabe is keeping his lieutenants in line because he has dossiers on their illegal activities which he can use to get them arrested should they challenge him.
216-Mt Darwin has not benefitted from Mujuru’s vice-presidency
A public opinion poll, three weeks before the 2008 elections, showed that the Movement for Democratic Change was rapidly gaining support with its leader Morgan Tsvangirai pipping President Robert Mugabe and the general feeling was that people were yearning for change because they believed that ZANU-PF could no longer turn around the country’s economy.
217-Is not winning, losing?
United States embassy officials in Harare were confident that President Robert Mugabe had not won the 2008 elections, the very first day of the count, but at the same time they were not certain that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had received over 50 percent of the vote.
218-US officials given cold shoulder in Mujuru’s constituency
United States embassy officials deployed 11 teams to observe elections on March 29 and all reported that voting took place in a calm and orderly manner. Observer teams were generally well-received at polling stations and throughout the different constituencies, including ruling party strongholds, but they were given a cold shoulder in Mt Darwin Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s constituency.
219-Was Mt Darwin vote rigged?
The campaign manager for the Movement for Democratic Change- Mutambara candidate during the 2008 elections complained to United States embassy officials that the votes that Vice-President Joice Mujuru got for the Mt Darwin West constituency was “dubiously high” for the support that she had.
220-ZESN helped prevent Mugabe from stealing 2008 election
The Zimbabwe Election Supervisory Network’s parallel vote tabulation may have helped prevent President Robert Mugabe from “stealing” the 2008 election outright according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
221-Editor arrested for publishing “false story” on First Lady
The editor of the Zimbabwe Independent Iden Wetherell was arrested on 17 April 2002 for allegedly publishing a “false story” linking the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, to a labour dispute involving her brother.
222-First Lady eyes farm with 27-room mansion!
First Lady Grace Mugabe was reportedly one of the more high-profile beneficiaries of the fast-track resettlement effort. According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks the First Lady was reported to have chosen a farm roughly 30 km northwest of Harare which had a new 27-room mansion, valued at over Z$100,000,000 (roughly US $1.6 million), fronted by a 2 hectare "well-manicured garden."
223-First Lady goes “shopping” for a dairy farm
Although dairy farmers had gone largely untouched during the farm invasions of 2000 to 2002, reports in November 2002 said the First Lady Grace Mugabe was one of the high profile people that had started scouting for a dairy farm.
224-Gono laughs off Made’s crop forecasts
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono who former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said “betrayed a keen sense of self-importance”, laughed out loud at the latest maize forecasts by Agriculture Minister Joseph made.
225-Mobile phone bosses arrested for externalisation.
At least eight business persons affiliated with mobile phone operators Econet and Telecel were arrested in one week in November allegedly for externalising foreign currency. Observers said the move was aimed at frightening people and firms from dealing on the parallel market.
226-Who travels with the President?
President Robert Mugabe travels large. When he went to attend the United Nations general assembly in September 2005, he was accompanied by a delegation of 40 plus five journalists. The list probably gives the United States government an insight of who is who in the president’s inner circle.
227-More join the Presidential jet
President Robert Mugabe’s delegation to the United Nations general assembly in 2006 was 10 more people than in 2005 and included his son Bellarmine Chatunga. Unlike the previous year’s list, the 2006 list had arrival and departure dates.
228-Presidential delegation trimmed
The presidential delegation to the United Nations general assembly for 2007, or at least the one that was published in the diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, was much smaller and only had seven names including his wife Grace.
229-Was Grace prophetic about Tsvangirai?
First Lady Grace Mugabe who had largely shied away from politics took centre stage after her husband was defeated in the first round of the presidential elections in 2008 by Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai and vowed that Tsvangirai would never step foot inside the State House.
230-Mugabe maintains small delegation
President Robert Mugabe maintained a small delegation of seven to the United Nations general assembly in August 2008 though he had just won the controversial presidential elections six weeks earlier. There was only one change. Tourism Minister Francis Nhema was replaced by intelligence director Happyton Bonyongwe.
231-DisGrace
First Lady Grace Mugabe made world headlines in January 2009, less than a month before the formation of the inclusive government, when reports said she had repeatedly punched London Sunday Times photographer Richard Jones in the face outside her luxury Hong Kong hotel on January 15.
232-US ambassador says Grace seems to have aged
Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said First Lady Grace Mugabe “appeared to have aged significantly, looking much older than forty-four and much thinner than she appeared in recent photographs” when she attended a function in honour of visiting Swazi King Mswati III in June 2009.
233-Tsvangirai was supposed to join Mugabe for UN trip in 2009
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was supposed to join President Robert Mugabe’s delegation to the United Nations general assembly in September 2009, but it is not clear whether he did so or not.
234-Grace and the Nestle dispute
The local subsidiary of Nestle was forced in October 2009 to stop buying milk from Gushungo Dairy Estate because the farm was “controlled” by First Lady Grace Mugabe.
235-Uncertainty over property rights scares investors
Uncertainty over property rights was reported to have scuttled a US$167 million partnership deal between South African retail giant Shoprite and OK Zimbabwe Limited, according to a cable released by Wikileaks. Although Shoprite already had one store in Bulawayo and therefore understood political risk in Zimbabwe, the cable says, it was probably unwilling to increase its exposure.
236-Grace Mugabe- I have very narrow feet so I only wear Ferragamo
President Robert Mugabe was reported to have commandeered an Air Zimbabwe plane scheduled for a commercial flight to London to take his 59-member delegation to attend the climate change summit in Copenhagen. According to a cable released by Wikileaks, Mugabe was accompanied by his wife Grace “who enjoys her overseas shopping opportunities and once famously said in response to a question on her expensive footwear, ‘I have very narrow feet so I only wear Ferragamo’."
237-US ambassador’s analysis of Media Commission members
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai announced a new Media Commission on 23 December 2009 with former broadcaster Godfrey Majonga as its chairman.
238-Mugabe had assets worth more than US$1 billion in 2001- Wikileaks
The United States embassy said though the full extent of President Robert Mugabe’s assets was not known, they were rumoured to exceed US$1 billion in 2001, the majority of which were likely to be invested outside Zimbabwe, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
239-US embassy says Mugabe is ailing but in command
President Robert Mugabe seems to have been ill for quite some time. According to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, Mugabe was quite ill way back in 2003 and had consulted a United Nations medical specialist.
240-CIO keeps Mnangagwa a step ahead of his adversaries- Wikileaks
Some elements of the Central Intelligence Organisation were keeping Emmerson Mnangagwa, then Speaker of Parliament, a step ahead of his adversaries, Movement for Democratic Change senior officials Welshman Ncube and Paul Themba Nyathi told United States embassy officials.
241-First Lady stone-faced throughout installation of Catholic Archbishop
First Lady Grace Mugabe sat stone-faced throughout the four-installation of Catholic Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu at the Harare Sport centre while President Robert Mugabe tapped his finger to the music and occasionally clapped, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
242-First Boyfriend released
That was the title of the diplomatic cable dispatched by the United States embassy in Harare on 26 August 2004, two days after the release of businessman James Makamba. All we can say is: No comment.
243-Mugabe’s priest
President Robert Mugabe’s personal priest Father Fidelis Mukonori told United States embassy officials in 2007 that he believed that it was now time for Mugabe to go but an exit would have been easier 10 or 15 years earlier.
244-The US embassy’s assessment of Grace Mugabe
First Lady Grace Mugabe is not active in politics. She is not well liked in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. She has no close relationship with any cabinet ministers. She has very few friends even within the Mugabe family.
245-Was the MDC thrown cabinet scraps?
The Movement for Democratic Change which almost upset the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front in its first national elections in 2000 by winning 57 seats against ZANU-PF’s 62 was likely to be given ministries that were window dressing or problematic if President Robert Mugabe decided to throw them “cabinet scraps”, former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald said.
246-Mugabe believes he is the only one who can hold ZANU-PF together
President Robert Mugabe is unlikely to give serious consideration to anointing a successor because he believes that he is the only one who can hold the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the country together, this was said by former ZANU-PF legislator Michael Mataure.
247-Cross, Stevenson wanted Mugabe impeached- Wikileaks
Movement for Democratic Change legislators, Eddie Cross and Trudy Stevenson, who is now an ambassador, were among the radicals within the MDC that piled pressure on party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to get President Robert Mugabe impeached, according to former secretary general Welshman Ncube.
248-Mnangagwa would be more ruthless than Mugabe- Wikileaks
Emmerson Mnangagwa, for long considered one of President Robert Mugabe’s potential successors, was likely to be more brutal than Mugabe if he became president, a political analyst Brian Raftopoulos, told United States embassy officials in December 2000.
249-Did the US supply GMO food to Zimbabwe in 2002?
That is the question one is bound to ask after reading a situation report by the United States embassy in Harare on the status of food relief in Zimbabwe. According to a cable released by Wikileaks, the first sentence in the comment section reads: “The good news is that the barriers to GMO food donations are coming down……..”
250-Mutasa dodgy ahead of ZANU-PF conference
ZANU-PF secretary for external affairs was very dodgy in the run-up to the 2002 party conference as United States embassy officials scrambled to get party officials to disclose whether the issue of President Robert Mugabe’s succession would be discussed or not.
251-Mugabe succession elusive
President Robert Mugabe’s Independence Day speech in 2003, in which he encouraged open discussion of the succession issue within ZANU-PF councils, opened the floodgates of speculation. At the forefront were Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa and former Finance Minister Simba Makoni.
252-US not happy with conciliatory attitude of ZANU-PF and MDC
There was a lot of excitement when legislators from the Movement for Democratic Change attended President Robert Mugabe’s speech to Parliament on 22 July 2003 but United States embassy officials questioned the sincerity of ZANU-PF.
253-Some “Wikileaks” meetings were even held at ZANU-PF HQ
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front deputy director for external affairs Itai Mach held a meeting with a political officer from the United States embassy in Harare at the party headquarters on 5 November 2003, according a cable released by Wikileaks.
254-Did Mutasa outsmart Oppah Muchinguri?
Didymus Mutasa, considered to be the most senior Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front official from Manicaland, may have outsmarted Women’s League leader Oppah Muchinguri by getting her replaced as governor by Mike Nyambuya, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
255-ZANU-PF succession scorecard
Former Defence Forces chief Vitalis Zvinavashe and Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa are reported to have discussed an exit strategy for President Robert Mugabe with the opposition in 2002 but surprisingly Zvinavashe was tipped as Mugabe’s possible successor when he retired from the army a year later, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
256-Mutasa scores another victory in Manicaland
ZANU-PF secretary for external affairs Didymus Mutasa scored another major victory when President Robert Mugabe reshuffled his cabinet in February 2004, reinforcing his influence in Manicaland province.
257-US embassy’s assessment of Mugabe’s new ministers
Do you know who Webster Shamu, Josiah Tungamirai, Shadreck Chipanga, Cain Mathema, David Chapfika, Andrew Langa or Ambrose Mutinhiri are? The United States embassy in Harare produced their biographies when they were appointed to President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet in 2004.
258-US embassy says Chombo is a very tough strategic thinker
Former United Nations Development Programme representative to Zimbabwe Victor Angelo said a growing number of people within the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front realised that the party was on a suicidal path but they were not willing to stand up to President Robert Mugabe.
259-The politics of food relief
Food relief agencies were put in a quandary in 2002 over allegations that food was being distributed along political lines with those opposed to the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front being denied food.
260-Mudzuri got off on the wrong foot as Harare mayor- Wikileaks
Elias Mudzuri got off on the wrong foot with some people in the Combined Harare Residents Association and his own Movement for Democratic Change by taking possession of the mayoral Mercedes and moving into the guest house of a lavish mayoral mansion built by the previous regime, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
261-Mayor says government is so broke it is trying to squeeze money from local authorities
The first Movement for Democratic Change mayor of a city Alois Chaimiti of Masvingo told United States embassy officials in June 2002 that the government was so broke that it was trying to squeeze money from relatively successful local authorities.
262-Government resumes food distribution after pressure from US and Vatican
The government, which had ordered the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace to stop food distribution in Binga, was forced to resume after pressure from the United States government and the Vatican, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
263-CFU grasping at straws
The Commercial Farmers Union was so divided at its 59th congress in 2002 that it was literally grasping at straws in the forlorn hope that its members could be spared by cooperating on land reform with the government.
264-Mugabe rewards loyalty not competence
President Robert Mugabe rewards loyalty and not competence when he appoints his cabinet, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
265-Midlands: the model in land redistribution
Midlands Province was described as a model in land reform because black and white farmers were working together and provincial governor Cephas Msipa had convinced the government not to compulsorily take over white-owned dairy farms because this would lead to milk shortages.
266-Chombo tries to neutralise MDC influence in cities
The government through Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo decided to appoint metropolitan governors to neutralise the influence of the Movement for Democratic Change which by 2002 already had five mayors.
267-Government tries to use farmers to ease sanctions
Agriculture Minister Joseph Made initiated a series of conversations with the Commercial Famers Union from January 2003 but CFU president Colin Cloete felt the minister’s main aim was to get Britain and the United States to ease sanctions on Zimbabwe’s elite.
268-Makoni says dismissal of Mudzuri work of Gang of Four
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni said the dismissal of Elias Mudzuri as mayor of Harare in April 2003 was the work of the Gang of Four- Ignatius Chombo, Joseph Made, Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Chinamasa.
269-US embassy questions Daily News’s credibility
The Daily News which had become the nation’s biggest daily before it was banned in 2003 reported on 9 July 2003 that 3 000 Movement for Democratic Change supporters had marched through the streets of downtown Harare carrying placards criticizing South African President Thabo Mbeki and attempted to gather at Africa Unity Square.
270-Mai Mujuru tried to outmanoeuvre Mnangagwa during unity talks
Former Army commander Solomon Mujuru and his wife Vice-President Joice Mujuru supported a plan which would have seen President Robert Mugabe become ceremonial president, Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai become executive Prime Minister with Joice Mujuru as the only Vice-President.
271-Mai Mujuru tried to outmanoeuvre Mnangagwa during unity talks
Former Army commander Solomon Mujuru and his wife Vice-President Joice Mujuru supported a plan which would have seen President Robert Mugabe become ceremonial president, Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai become executive Prime Minister with Joice Mujuru as the only Vice-President.
272-Sipepa Nkomo says Mai Mujuru was very critical of ZANU-PF
Minister of Water Sam Sipepa Nkomo says when he met Vice-President Joice Mujuru privately, as she was a former Minister of Water, she was critical of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and supported Movement for Democratic Change programmes to liberalise the economy and expand political space.
273-Mzembi says Mugabe will not support Mnangagwa or Mujuru to succeed him
Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi says President Robert Mugabe will not support Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa or Vice-President Joice Mujuru to succeed him but is fostering a stalemate between the two so that a younger successor can emerge.
274-Mogae says Mnangagwa or Mujuru cannot lead Zimbabwe
Former Botswana President Festus Mogae said one of the ways to improve the situation in Zimbabwe was to secure a safe and comfortable retirement for President Robert Mugabe but neither Vice-President Joice Mujuru nor Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa commanded the “fear or respect that Mugabe relies upon to lead”.
275-Mai Mujuru the only ZANU-PF heavyweight sharing dais with Tsvangirai
Vice President Joice Mujuru was the only Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front heavyweight who shared the dais with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai when he launched his 100-day plan on 13 May 2009.
276-Mugabe wants reform but he has no control
President Robert Mugabe wants reform but he has no power to enforce the reforms and is heavily influenced by people like Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, according to Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi.
277-John Nkomo of little value to Mugabe
Vice President John Nkomo was of little value to President Robert Mugabe because he was “unquestionably loyal to Mugabe” and had no support from Matebeleland.
278-Mai Mujuru stronger than Mnangagwa
The election of Women’s Affairs Minister Olivia Muchena as leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Women’s League was a clear indication that Vice President Joice Mujuru was a strong force within ZANU-PF, if not stronger than Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction.
279-Vote rigging in ZANU-PF party elections?
Shuvai Mahofa, one of the heavyweights in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front Women’s League, claimed she had lost a hotly contested election to head the league to Women’s Affairs Minister Olivia Muchena in September 2009 because of vote rigging.
280-ZANU-PF not ready for a woman president
Despite the meteoric rise of Joice Mujuru to Vice-President of the nation as well as of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, ZANU-PF is not ready to accept a woman as president, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
281-Mugabe, Mujuru call on supporters to shun factionalism
President Robert Mugabe and Vice President Joice Mujuru called on party supporters to abjure factionalism at the start of the party congress in 2009, but the damage had already been done.
282-ZANU-PF an old party with problems
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front is an old party with problems and does not have any vision for the future.
283-Biti says Mujuru and Mnangagwa are unelectable
Finance Minister and Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray that Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa were both “unelectable” in a national presidential election.
284-Jonathan Moyo completes phoenix-like return to ZANU-PF
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa did not lose everything at the 2009 party congress. Jonathan Moyo who was central to his succession prospects made a “phoenix-like” comeback to the party that expelled him in 2005.
285-Mugabe usurps Tsvangirai
President Robert Mugabe usurped Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in February last year, barely a year after the swearing in of the inclusive government, when he issued a circular implying that ministers should report to his two vice-Presidents, Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, instead of to Tsvangirai.
286-Kasukuwere is untrustworthy and a thug- Wikileaks
Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere is untrustworthy and a thug, a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks says. The comment was made by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray after he met the minister at his office on 4 February last year.
287-Mai Mujuru’s fear of Mugabe affecting her ability to lead
Vice-President Joice Mujuru has a high chance of succeeding President Robert Mugabe but her fear of Mugabe is affecting her ability to lead, the legislator for Uzumba/Pfungwe Simba Mudarikwa said.
288-Gutu elected chair of powerful Parliamentary Legal Committee
Movement for Democratic Change senator Obert Gutu was elected chairman of the powerful Parliamentary Legal Committee. Four other seats of the five-member committee were divided evenly between the MDC and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front.
289-What Obert Gutu said about Tsvangirai
The Deputy Minister of Justice Obert Gutu said the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change Morgan Tsvangirai was humble and tolerant, not vindictive like Robert Mugabe. These qualities in large part accounted for his widespread popularity.
290-The cable that got the generals into trouble
Brigadier General Herbert Chingono, Inspector General for the Zimbabwe National Army, and Major General Fidelis Satuku, Director General for Policy and Personnel, Zimbabwe Defence Forces, took a huge risk when they talked to United States ambassador Charles Ray and the United States embassy defence attaché on 5 and 6 January last year.
291-Gono and Grace discuss Mugabe’s future
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono was discussing ways of getting President Robert Mugabe to retire with his wife Grace Mugabe because of his poor health, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
292-Grace agreed to power-sharing agreement
President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace had agreed to a power-sharing agreement drafted by Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa but with amendments which included an undertaking that Mugabe would serve as president indefinitely.
293-Grace wanted to marginalise Tsvangirai
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the Joint Operational Command supported by Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and First Lady Grace Mugabe had discussed the previous week delaying the inauguration of the new government and marginalising him.
294-First Lady linked to platinum deal
A company that has been doing business with First Lady Grace Mugabe is said to have been given a platinum concession though it has no exploration or mining expertise, according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
295-Ambassador says people underrate the power that Grace Mugabe wields
Norwegian ambassador to Zimbabwe Gunnar Foreland told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray on 25 November 2009 that many people did not appreciate the role First Lady Grace Mugabe played in terms of having the President’s ear.
296-South Korean firms in construction projects with First Lady?
South Korean construction firms, many based in South Africa, were extensively involved in construction projects with the First Lady Grace Mugabe.
297-Doing business Zimbabwe- style
High Court Judge Ben Hlatshwayo “seized” a commercial farm in Banket in 2002. But First Lady Grace Mugabe liked the farm. It was close to the Mugabe rural home. So she took over the farm in 2009 for her son from her first marriage, Russell.
298-US says its public diplomacy has paid off in Zimbabwe
The United States says its public diplomacy had paid off in bringing about democracy in Zimbabwe when the opposition Movement for Democratic Change managed to squeeze in 57 seats from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front after nearly 20 years of one party rule.
299-What do Strive Masiyiwa and Geoff Nyarota have in common?
It is not the Daily News, the paper that Nyarota founded and which Masiyiwa later rescued. It is Central Intelligence Organisation operative Robert Manungo.
300-Daily News group sues Jonathan Moyo for $58 million
“We have a classic case here in which the prey has become the predator.” This is the opening sentence of a cable from the United States embassy in which officials were reporting about the lawsuit filed by the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, publishers of the Daily News, against Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
301-Masiyiwa wanted after closure of his paper
Exiled Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa was reportedly wanted for questioning by the police after the closure of his paper, the Daily News, in September 2003.
302-Masiyiwa says Daily News will back in matter of weeks
Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe chairman Strive Masiyiwa was confident that his paper, the Daily News, would be back in matter of weeks.
303-Two blows to the independent media
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo at one time mooted amending the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to require that publishers of Zimbabwean newspapers should reside in the country.
304-Econet in the clear
Econet's local chief executive Douglas Mboweni had to assure United States embassy officials in Harare that the country’s biggest mobile phone network was not going to lose its licence after the state media had indicated that the network owned by Strive Masiyiwa, who also owned of the Daily News, could lose its licence.
305-Fear mars US sponsored business conference
Several members of the American Business Association of Zimbabwe and companies with United States interest told organisers of a business forum organised by ABAZ in October 2007 that they had declined even the lowest level of sponsorship because of fear of recrimination by the government.
306-Econet on expansion warpath
Econet, the country’s largest mobile phone network, was on an expansion warpath in 2008 growing its subscriber base by 40 percent and increasing market share by 30 percent to 1.2 million subscribers though revenue was down by 30 percent in the first half of the year.
307-Masiyiwa business deals questioned
Auditing firm Deloitte appeared to have inflated the total ballots cast at an extraordinary meeting of mobile phone operator Econet in March 2009 to boost the vote in favour of a resolution to enter into a US$93.9 million sale agreement with Econet Wireless Global, a Strive Masiyiwa investment vehicle, according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
308-Masiyiwa supports motion to end Kingdom Meikles saga
Econet boss, Strive Masiyiwa, was one of the key shareholders pushing for an end to the Kingdom Meikles saga whose acrimonious marriage had turned messy, according to reports in May 2009.
309-Econet expansion aimed at keeping foreign competition out
Econet was to embark on a US$93.9 million expansion to increase its capacity from 1.2 million subscribers in June to 5 million by the end of 2009.
310-Zimbabweans in the diaspora not keen to invest in the country?
Zimbabweans in the diapora, put at nearly four million, are not keen to invest in their own country while the Zimbabwe African National-Union Patriotic Front is in power because most of them have differences with ZANU-PF.
311-Masiyiwa on war veterans hit list
Businessmen Strive Masiyiwa, Nigel Chanakira, Eddie Cross and Eric Bloch were on a purported war veterans hit list and they took the threats seriously according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
312-Masiyiwa and Chanakira take over Daily News
Zimbabwe's two most successful entrepreneurs, Strive Masiyiwa of Econet Wireless and Nigel Chanakira of Kingdom Financial Holdings, had created a holding company, the Independent Media Group, that had bought controlling shares in Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, the parent company of the Daily News.
313-Herald editor spills the beans about Jonathan Moyo’s interference
Herald editor for only seven months Ray Mungoshi poured his heart out to United States embassy officials in an hour-long meeting on 27 March 2001 about the daily harassment he was getting from Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
314-Government after Masiyiwa
The government was in January 2004 accused of trying to muzzle out Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa, who was now living in South Africa, by shutting down his mobile phone company, Econet, over alleged foreign currency abuses.
315-Short-lived reprieve for Daily News
The Daily News received a short-lived reprieve on 21 January 2004 when High Court Judge Tendai Uchena ordered police to vacate its premises to allow the paper to resume publishing.
316-Daily News staff on Jonathan Moyo’s payroll!
The former chief executive of the Daily News Sam Sipepa Nkomo told United States embassy officials that he had a list of Daily News staff that were on the payroll of Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
317-MDC in dilemma
It was not only the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front that was facing a crisis at the end of 2004 because of the so-called Dinyane debacle in which some party members including former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo were allegedly involved in plotting a “smart coup”, but the main opposition Movement for democratic Change was in a dilemma too.
318-US funded MDC election court challenge
The United States Agency for International Development, a government agency, partly funded the Movement for Democratic Change’s court challenge of the 2002 presidential elections which were won the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s Robert Mugabe.
319-Masiyiwa says Gono starved the nation to pay IMF
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa told United States embassy officials on 31 August 2005 that Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono had “starved” the nation of fuel and other key items to accumulate the $120 million it paid the International Monetary Fund two days earlier.
320-Lawyer says Masiyiwa has not held valid Zimbabwe passport for years
A lawyer with the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Otto Saki said exiled Zimbabwe businessman Strive Masiyiwa had not held a valid Zimbabwean passport for several years. He did not, however, disclose what type of travel document the businessman used.
321-Was Masiyiwa offered MDC presidency?
Exiled businessman Strive Masiyiwa might have been offered the presidency of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change when the party split up but he was on party founder Morgan Tsvangirai’s side.
322-Masiyiwa listed as one of the possible leaders of Third Way
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said a group of reform-minded individuals that cut across political lines had in 2007 talked about coming up with a United Front that would be led by a candidate acceptable to both the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change.
323-Masiyiwa had ties to both ZANU-PF and MDC!
Former journalist Sydney Masamvu told South African government officials that exiled businessman Strive Masiyiwa was a strong neutral candidate acceptable to both the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change.
324-Mutasa not afraid of international press
Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front secretary for external affairs Didymus Mutasa and secretary for Information Nathan Shamuyarira were not afraid of the international press, former Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan.
325-Mutasa and Mugabe differ with Mnangagwa and Chinamasa on elections
President Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF secretary for external affairs Didymus Mutasa were adamant that there would be no Western observers in the 2005 elections while Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa said this would be decided by an independent election commission.
326-Masiyiwa prepares recovery plan with Nkosana Moyo
Businessman Strive Masiyiwa was so confident that change would come to Zimbabwe by December 2007 that he prepared a Zimbabwe Economic Recovery Plan with exiled Zimbabwean economists and other businessmen to speed up the country’s economic recovery.
327-Trevor Ncube’s Third Way
Zimbabwean publisher Trevor Ncube told United States embassy officials on 30 August 2007 that he was so thoroughly disgusted by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change that he believed that only a third way political force could take the country forward.
328-Masiyiwa says MDC will win 2008 elections but needs cash
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa was confident that the Movement for Democratic Change would win the 2008 elections but the party needed US$10 million to run an effective campaign.
329-US writes off MDC victory, military coup or third way in 2008
United States embassy officials in Harare had written of a victory by the Movement for Democratic Change in the 2008 elections because of internal strife within the party but at the same time they also said a third way which had been suggested by businessmen like Strive Masiyiwa or a military coup were unlikely.
330-US government funded Mbeki to stop Zuma from becoming president
The United States funded former South African President Thabo Mbeki’s failed African National Congress election campaign because it did not want Jacob Zuma to become South African president.
331-Masiyiwa promised to fund MDC 2008 campaign
Exiled Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa promised the Movement for Democratic Change an initial contribution of US$25 000 for their election campaign in 2008 but the money had not been deposited into the MDC account when treasurer Roy Bennett met United States embassy officials on 4 January 2008.
332-Masiyiwa says Jonathan Moyo and Ibbo Mandaza are former CIO
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa said he did not trust former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and publisher Ibbo Mandaza because they were both former operatives of the Central Intelligence Organisation. “Their interests are not the Zimbabwean people, but rather themselves,” he said.
333-Mnangagwa beat Mujuru in 2004 but Mugabe rejected the results- Wikileaks
Monica Chinamasa, wife of Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, told a United States embassy contact that Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa had beaten Joice Mujuru in the initial provincial committee votes for the post of vice-president of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front at the 2004 congress but President Robert Mugabe had rejected the results.
334-Mutasa grateful for sanctions
ZANU-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa told a visiting United States delegation in 2005 that Zimbabwe was “grateful” for sanctions that had been imposed on the country by the United States and the European Union because they had pushed the country to redouble its economic efforts.
335-Makoni urges US to talk to Mutasa to improve relations
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell to talk to Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic front secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa to improve relations between the two countries once the election dust had settled.
336-CIO officer forces MDC activist to lie naked in his urine
A member of the Movement for Democratic Change who was arrested, detained and tortured together with legislator Job Sikhala said one of his interrogators, who was visibly drunk, urinated on him and forced him to lie naked in a puddle of urine with a metal bucket over his head as shocks were administered.
337-Did MDC plan bombings or was it a hoax?
Charles Mutama, who only two months earlier had told United States embassy officials about his arrest and torture by central intelligence organisation operatives, said the Movement for Democratic Change was planning a series of bomb attacks on police stations, militia bases, and ZANU-PF-owned shops and gas stations in five cities around the country.
338-Bennett predicted shock victory for MDC in 2008
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett predicted a shock victory for his party in the 2008 saying he had never seen such excitement on the ground since 2000 because people simply wanted Mugabe gone.
339-Masiyiwa says MDC did not have plan for “day after” the election
Econet boss, Strive Masiyiwa, who was one of the advisors of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States embassy officials on 27 February, a month before the crucial 2008 elections, that the MDC did not have a clear plan for the “day after” the election.
340-Masiyiwa, Chadehumbe lobbied Mamabolo on 2008 elections
Exiled businessmen Strive Masiyiwa and Wellington Chadehumbe were privately lobbying the head of the South African observer mission to the 2008 elections Kingsley Mamabolo, who was South Africa’s former ambassador to Zimbabwe.
341-Murambatsvina showed ZANU-PF was now beyond caring
Operation Murambatsvina in which thousands of Zimbabweans were left homeless had clearly demonstrated that the leadership of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front would do whatever it needed to to stay in power.
342-Mutasa said he was responsible for Murambatsvina and had no regrets
ZANU-PF politburo member Didymus Mutasa, who was Minister for State Security at the time, “proudly” told a United States delegation that he was among those principally responsible for Operation Restore Order (Murambatsvina) and showed no remorse for the suffering the operation had caused.
343-Makoni says Mugabe is out of touch
President Robert Mugabe was so out of touch with reality that when he was told that most of his ministers had multiple farms, he simply said: “We have to lead by example” but never took any action.
344-MPs panel beaten to pass land bill
A former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front legislator for Chimanimani, Mike Mataure, says ZANU-PF Members of Parliament were told by President Robert Mugabe to vote for a constitutional amendment that allowed the government to compulsorily acquire land without compensation to save their necks.
345-MDC campaign funds used by party bigwigs!
A Movement for Democratic Change candidate for the Chipinge elections in 2008 said he had only been given $100 for his campaign and suggested that if there was any money at all for the campaign it was probably being used by party bigwigs in Harare.
346-Masiyiwa says 25 ZANU-PF MPs were prepared to cross the floor in 2008
Exiled businessman Strive Masiyiwa told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that at least 25 ZANU-PF MPs were prepared to cross the floor to join the Movement for Democratic Change once the House of Assembly was convened.
347-Trevor Ncube says Masiyiwa should not be trusted
Publisher Trevor Ncube told United States embassy officials in Pretoria that losing presidential candidate Simba Makoni had been unable to form a coalition with Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change because Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa stood in the way.
348-Masiyiwa says Tsvangirai won 2008 elections
Businessman Strive Masiyiwa told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that the Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won the March 2008 presidential elections so any run-off would not recognise this reality.
349-Trevor Ncube says the MDC is unstrategic and arrogant
Publisher Trevor Ncube accused the Movement for Democratic Change of being arrogant during the political stalemate after the 2008 elections because it was not reaching out to others like Arthur Mutambara, Simba Makoni and Jonathan Moyo.
350-Makoni says Tsvangirai is influenced too much by Masiyiwa, Bennett and Ferris
Presidential aspirant Simba Makoni said he was ready to meet Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai anytime anywhere for negotiations but Tsvangirai was “too much under the influence of advisors Strive Masiyiwa, Roy Bennett and Melinda Ferris”.
351-Another MDC advisor says party has no plan to move ahead
Another Movement for Democratic Change advisor Kathi Walther on 30 April revealed that the Johannesburg-based MDC leadership did not have a concrete plan for moving ahead.
352-Tsvangirai asked Mwanawasa for help
Movement for Democratic change leader Morgan Tsvangirai asked Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa to convene an emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Community to discuss the security situation in Zimbabwe but Mwanawasa said he could not do so because there was a meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development the following week.
353-Masiyiwa says Chinamasa and Goche lack enough authority
Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa, who was also one of the advisors of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said although talks between the MDC and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front were continuing, there was slow progress because ZANU-PF negotiators Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche did not have sufficient authority to resolve fundamentals issues.
354-MDC advisors preferred a TA not GNU
Movement for Democratic Change advisors who met a United States congressional delegation on 3 July 2008, a week after Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front leader Robert Mugabe had been sworn in as President, insisted that a transitional authority, and not a government of national unity, was the way forward.
355-Three MDC power centres hampered progress
Progress in the formation of an inclusive government following the singing of the Global Political Agreement was hampered by the fact that the Movement for Democratic Change now had three power centres.
356-Nyarota was upbeat about coming back of Daily News
Former Daily News editor Geoffrey Nyarota was upbeat about the coming back of the paper following the appointment of a new media commission and said the paper would kick off with a print order of 50 000.
357-Were Trevor Ncube’s parents Mozambican or Zambian?
A cable released by Wikileaks says Trevor Ncube, publisher of The Independent, was denied citizenship because his parents had been born in Mozambique.
358-Trevor Ncube wins German award
Zimbabwean journalist, Trevor Ncube, publisher of The Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard, won Germany's Africa Award for his tireless engagement on behalf of freedom and human rights in Zimbabwe and Africa. The award was presented by the president of the European Parliament.
359-Trevor Ncube plans to launch daily
Trevor Ncube's media company, Zimind Publishers Group, said it had applied for a licence to start a new daily, Newsday and had already discussed the idea with Media and Information Minister Webster Shamu.
360-Dell trashes Sipepa Nkomo’s enthusiasm on opening media space?
Daily News chief executive officer Sam Sipepa Nkomo was optimistic, one year after his paper’s closure, that the paper could resume publication because the government seemed to be opening up the media space in the country but the United States embassy felt Nkomo was overly optimistic.
361-Government seizes Trevor Ncube’s passport
The government seized the passport of publisher Trevor Ncube on 8 December in what was viewed as a crackdown on government critics who were going around demonising the country.
362-Was Trevor Ncube used by Jonathan Moyo to tarnish Financial Gazette?
Former news editor of the Financial Gazette Nelson Banya said former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo might have used The Independent to tarnish the image of the Financial Gazette by claiming that it was partially owned by the Central Intelligence Organisation because he was close friends with the publisher Trevor Ncube.
363-Trevor Ncube gets passport back
Publisher Trevor Ncube was given his passport back on 14 December after the attorney-general ruled that the seizures were unlawful.
364-Trevor Ncube says Zimbabwe is being led by “clowns and bozos”
Publisher Trevor Ncube said Zimbabwe was being led by “clowns and bozos” who were nothing compared to the “clever if unscrupulous” Jonathan Moyo who had been fired from the government and was now an independent Member of Parliament.
365-Government tries to revoke Trevor Ncube’s citizenship
The government was trying to revoke the citizenship of publisher Trevor Ncube because his father was born in Zambia. Zimbabwe did not allow dual citizenship.
366-Bennett “over the moon” with Tsvangirai’s leadership
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett was “over the moon” with Morgan Tsvangirai’s leadership towards the end of 2007 saying after years of inaction Tsvangirai was finally "cleaning house."
367-Mugabe in control- no room for Third Way
President Robert Mugabe was firmly in control of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front despite significant sentiment within the party that he must step down, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
368-Trevor Ncube says the MDC is a “tired and contaminated brand”
Trevor Ncube, who was one of the major drivers for a United Front to contest the 2008 elections, said he had no faith in Morgan Tsvangirai's ability to lead the country and criticised the Movement for Democratic Change as a "tired and contaminated brand".
369-Ncube told US does not support any political party in Zimbabwe
An official of the United States embassy in Pretoria told publisher Trevor Ncube that the US did not support any political party in Zimbabwe including the Movement for Democratic Change.
370-Trevor Ncube says Mugabe intended to annul 2008 elections
Publisher Trevor Ncube told United States embassy officials on 10 April 2008 that he had heard a “most worrisome” rumour that President Robert Mugabe was planning to annul the 29 March elections and call for fresh ones as soon as possible.
371-BBC correspondent complains about CIO meddling
A British Broadcasting Corporation correspondent who had been allowed to work in Zimbabwe with her team said the government still wanted to control reporting activities and two known Central Intelligence Organisation handlers were present all the time.
372-Mutasa says white farmers are “dirt” which needs to be cleansed
Minister of State Security and Lands, Didymus Mutasa, described white commercial farmers as “dirt” that needed to be cleansed. Addressing a land audit meeting in Masvingo, Mutasa reportedly said the remaining white farmers had to be clear out under a new land resettlement operation called “faster track”.
373-Trevor Ncube says CIO hates Mutasa
Publisher Trevor Ncube told United States ambassador Christopher Dell that the Central Intelligence Organisation as a whole hated Intelligence Minister Didymus Mutasa and morale was very low within the organisation.
374-Dell says Mutasa is not a credible reformer
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell told former Finance Minister Simba Makoni that though President Robert Mugabe’s successor was not likely to be wedded to the past or to Mugabe’s ideology and rhetoric, it was not a given that the successor would be acceptable to the West.
375-Daily News fabricated story about Archbishop Pius Ncube?
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald told Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Wutawunashe that the Daily News had fabricated a story about his meeting with the Bulawayo-based Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube on 21 September 2000.
376-Pius Ncube says Tsvangirai is too weak to lead Zimbabwe
Controversial Bulawayo cleric Archbishop Pius Ncube said the people of Zimbabwe, especially those from Matabeleland, were so scared that they would never rise up against the government.
377-Government tried to get Vatican to force Pius Ncube to retire?
The government had approached the Vatican in the early 2000s requesting that it forces the Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube to retire according to the former director of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Michael Auret.
378-Mutasa agrees to zero-tolerance of farm disruptions
Minister of State Security and Lands Didymus Mutasa had pledged to halt any farm disruptions, particularly where the central bank or any other bank held a farmer’s loan, central bank governor Gideon Gono said in January 2006.
379-Dell seeks ways to camouflage US democracy programme
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell suggested that US organisations should seek ways of camouflaging their support for democracy and governance programme in Zimbabwe because the Zimbabwean government seemed to be tracking these activities.
380-Georgias says Mugabe is the key
Business and Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front senator Aguy Georgias told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that though President Robert Mugabe was increasingly isolated from events he still had authority and held the key to changing the country’s disastrous course.
381-Pius Ncube says CIO is threatening his elderly mother
Archbishop Pius Ncube was allegedly sleeping in different safe houses every night because the Central Intelligence Organisation was after him, but he was more worried about his elderly mother because the CIO had also threatened her.
382-Bishops draw up a vision for Zimbabwe
Three bishops from Manicaland and one from Bulawayo told United States embassy officials in separate conversations on 16 April 2003 that they had drawn up a 10-point vision for Zimbabwe and were quietly approaching the President’s office to arrange negotiations between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change.
383-Pius Ncube reports to Powell instead of God - three cables
In a scathing attack of Archbishop Pius Ncube’s visit to Washington where he met Secretary of State Colin Powell, The Herald, likened the catholic cleric to Judas Iscariot accusing him of reporting to Americans instead of his master, God.
384-Jonathan Moyo says Pius Ncube is busy preaching tribalism
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said Archbishop Pius Ncube was busy preaching tribalism in Zimbabwe. Moyo, who was described in the cable released by Wikileaks as a junior minister, made the comments after an opinion piece by United States Secretary of State Colin Powell which was published in the local dailies.
385-Why the MDC’s “final push” of 2003 failed- Wikileaks
The Movement for Democratic Change’s “final push” of June 2003 failed because people were not yet ready to undertake high-risk activist behaviour in defiance of the Robert Mugabe regime. Experience in other countries had conclusively shown that political defiance against a violent regime required careful planning and preparation.
386-“Deliver us from Evil” march
Leading clerics were planning to hold prayer events in Harare and Bulawayo under the banner “Deliver us from Evil”.
387-Gono says Mutasa has no place after Mugabe
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that Didymus Mutasa and Joseph Made had no place in a post-Mugabe government.
388-Mutasa says government will compensate foreign farmers in full
Didymus Mutasa, who was Minister of State Security and Lands at the time, said the government was going to respect its international agreements and would compensate foreign farmers whose countries had bilateral investment protection agreements with Zimbabwe “in full and in the currency of their choice”.
389-Dell cheers divisions in ZANU-PF
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell was surprised when Movement for Democratic Change- Mutambara faction’s Priscilla Mushonga told him that Vice-president Joice Mujuru and Central Bank governor Gideon Gono were adversaries because he thought they were allies.
390-Madhuku says 80 percent of NCA marchers have left the country
National Constitutional Assembly President Lovemore Madhuku told United States embassy officials that it was increasingly becoming difficult to organise protest marches because about 80 percent of those “in the front row” of the NCA marches in the run up to the constitutional conference in 2000 had left the country.
391-Mugabe takes on Catholics
President Robert Mugabe urged the church to engage in dialogue with the government and not to go to “outside authorities- Blairs and Bushes” and upbraided Bulawayo Archbishop Pius Ncube for tarnishing Zimbabwe’s image abroad.
392-Pius Ncube says MDC is not the answer- Tsvangirai is inept
A despondent Archbishop Pius Ncube told United States embassy officials that most Zimbabweans had "given up" any hope for change. The Movement for Democratic Change was ineffective. Its leader Morgan Tsvangirai vacillated and was inept.
393-Mutasa says protests by ZCTU would be a grave mistake
State Security Minister said planned protests by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions would be a “grave mistake" and security forces would not hesitate to “crush” the protestors.
394-The Zimbabwe we want
A group of religious leaders presented a 43- page document entitled “The Zimbabwe We want” to President Robert Mugabe on 27 October. The document called for dialogue leading to national reconciliation and outlined specific steps to resolve Zimbabwe’s political, economic, and social problems.
395-Mutasa says Mugabe might become president for life
State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa told an online newspaper days before the crucial Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic annual conference in 2006 that someone might call for party leader Robert Mugabe to become president for life and permanent presidential candidate.
396-Pius Ncube- the odd one out
Archbishop Pius Ncube was the only Catholic bishop speaking out against the Zimbabwean government as his colleagues pointed to the “Vision Document” as the solution to Zimbabwe’s political challenges, Cardinal Wilfred Napier said.
397-Pius Ncube says it’s now time for peaceful resistance
Archbishop Pius Ncube condemned police violence which erupted in March 2007 and said it was now time for peaceful resistance to the Robert Mugabe regime. He was speaking at a press conference at which the Christian Alliance announced the death of a Movement for Democratic Change activist Itai Manyeruke.
398-Vatican says local church strong enough to stand up to Mugabe
The Holy See’s deputy foreign minister equivalent Pietro Parolin said the Vatican was considering speaking out against Zimbabwe but it was waiting for the green light from Zimbabwe’s bishops because it felt that the local church, Archbishop Pius Ncube, in particular, was strong enough to stand up to President Robert Mugabe.
399-US embassy monitors government actions during funeral of MDC activist
The United States embassy in Harare said it was planning not only to attend the funeral service of a slain Movement for Democratic Change activist Gift Tandare but it was also going to monitor government actions elsewhere in Harare.
400-Papal Nuncio says Mugabe is pretending to be a Catholic
The Papal Nuncio for South Africa James Green said the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe was embarrassing because Mugabe "pretends to be" a practicing Catholic.
401-Catholic bishops release hard-hitting pastoral letter
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Zimbabwe has released a pastoral letter which blames the suffering of the Zimbabwean people on a small black elitewhich replaced a small while elite and has perpetuated colonial-like misrule.
402-Mugabe says Catholic Bishops’ letter is political nonsense
President Robert Mugabe described the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference pastoral letter which said the current leaders were no different from their colonial predecessors as "political nonsense" and accused the bishops of embarking on a "dangerous path."
403-Manhanga says Pius Ncube was set up but adultery allegations are true
Evangelical Bishop Trevor Manhanga told United States embassy officials that although Archbishop Pius Ncube was set up, the charges of adultery that were being levelled against him were undoubtedly true and would do considerable harm to the opposition.
404-Msipa told Dell that Gen Mujuru was no march for Mugabe
Former Midlands Provincial Governor Cephas Msipa told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that though he felt that it was time for President Robert Mugabe to go, Mugabe would still prevail in any power struggle with former army commander General Solomon Mujuru.
405-Mutasa was behind the disastrous 2007 price controls
Although President Robert Mugabe repeatedly said the price blitz in 2007 was a reaction to a "political agenda" pursued by "greedy companies" doing the bidding of Western governments seeking to bring about regime change through "illegal sanctions", the Joint Operations Command was actually behind it.
406-Mutasa in final push land seizures
State Security and Lands Minister was in 2007 in the final push to evict the remaining 350 white farmers. There had been about 4 500 white farmers when the concerted land reform programme began in 2000.
407-US spending $100 000 a year on anti-corruption in Zimbabwe?
The United States government through its US Agency for International Development was spending US$100 000 a year on a Transparency International Zimbabwe programme that worked with the Parliament of Zimbabwe’s Public Accounts Committee in advocating anti-corruption in the public sector and in closing loopholes in legislation that makes corrupt cases easier.
408-Wikileaks says Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is funded by US
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, a group of more than 300 organisations, was partly being funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
409-More aid promised if US passes Democracy Development Act
The United States was likely to provide more financial aid to pro-democracy advocates who were being victimised by the State for their political activities once the Democracy Development Act had been passed.
410-Journalist among activists sponsored by US to shed light on Mugabe’s mess
A Bulawayo journalist, Gibbs Dube, was one of the five “activists” sponsored by the United States embassy in Harare and Freedom House to travel the region to shed light on President Robert Mugabe’s mess after the 2008 elections.
411-Makumbe says GPA is a bad deal, a very bad deal
"This is a bad deal: a very bad deal. I wonder where these guys were when they signed this deal. Perhaps they were in a stinking toilet. But even a stinking toilet stops smelling if you stay in it for a long time."-Political analyst John Makumbe on the power-sharing agreement.
412-Makumbe advises World Bank on civil service audit
University of Zimbabwe Professor John Makumbe is advising the World Bank on efforts to audit the civil service, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
413-Goche says Mutasa and Bonyongwe are obstructionist
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front negotiator Nicholas Goche told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that he could arrange a one-on-one meeting between the ambassador and President Robert Mugabe because he wanted the two governments to mend their relations.
414-How to make money in an economic crisis
David Irvine Managing Director of Irvine's Day Old Chicks Ltd was making a lot money during the political and economic crisis because he had some of the leading politicians in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front in his pocket.
415-ZANU-PF planned to rig 2008 election a day after vote- Wikileaks
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front planned to rig the 2008 elections in favour of President Robert Mugabe so that he could pull off a 51 percent victory, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
416-Makumbe says Mugabe is playing the “race card”
University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer John Makumbe said President Robert Mugabe was playing the “race card” in the upturn in attacks on the judiciary in late 2000 as the government tried to thwart white farmers from challenging the land reform programme through the courts.
417-Makumbe says even an idiot would be better than Mugabe
University of Zimbabwe political scientist John Makumbe came to the rescue of the Movement for Democratic Change when the party came under fire for not capitalising on its June 2000 election performance which saw the party winning 57 out of the 120 contested seats in parliament.
418-Makumbe urges MDC to open offshore accounts
John Makumbe, who had become one of the regular advisors to the Movement for Democratic change leadership, urged the party way back in 2001 to open offshore accounts to facilitate foreign donations.
419-Mnangagwa says MDC is responsible for violence
Emmerson Mnangagwa told a visiting United States delegation when he was Speaker of Parliament and Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front secretary for administration that the Movement for Democratic Change started the violence to which ZANU-PF youths responded “in kind”.
420-Makumbe says MDC has to keep the fire burning
Political scientist John Makumbe advised the Movement for Democratic Change not to waste too much time and resources in campaigning in the 2002 local government elections but it still had to contest to “keep the fire burning”.
421-Police punch and arrest Makumbe and US embassy official
Police punched John Makumbe in the face while he was handcuffed and arrested six people including Bishop Trevor Manhanga, Makumbe and an unnamed United States embassy official.
422-Demonstrators arrested ahead of planned march
Several demonstrators including leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions were arrested ahead of a planned march to demonstrate against high taxation and the deteriorating economic situation.
423-Fees rise from one cow to six per semester
Tuition fees at state universities were increased by 500 percent with those at the University of Zimbabwe increasing from Z$6 million to Z$30 million a year while meals went up from Z$1.5 million a semester to Z$21 million.
424-Makumbe says Mugabe fears successor will consolidate power at his expense
Political analyst John Makumbe said President Robert Mugabe was afraid of leaving office because he was afraid that his successor would consolidate power at his expense.
425-Mugabe, Tsvangirai reward loyalty for cabinet picks
Both President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai rewarded loyalty over competence for their cabinet picks according to political analyst John Makumbe.
426-Was Tsvangirai taken for a ride by Mugabe?
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leader Robert Mugabe had agreed to concede defeat after the 2008 elections but wanted an additional six months in office which the MDC rejected.
427-Muchinguri, Kangai and Mutasa behind violent campaign of 2008
A disillusioned member of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front central committee Manatsa Mutasa told United States embassy officials less than a week after the 2008 polls that Tsvangirai had won 48 percent of the vote so the ZANU-PF had begun a campaign of violence, spearheaded by Minister Oppah Muchinguri, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Kumbirai Kangai, Air Marshall Perence Shiri, and Minister Didymus Mutasa, to intimidate the population and MDC leaders.
428-US pushes for military intervention in Zimbabwe
The United States pushed its allies to support a resolution that would have allowed military intervention in Zimbabwe by the United Nations not later than 3 July 2008.
429-Two-year-old terrorist?
Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko and seven others and two-year-old Nigel Mutemagau were held and denied bail at the end of 2008 after being accused of banditry and terrorism in connection with an alleged plot to train armed insurgents in Botswana.
430-Mutasa says SADC Tribunal is daydreaming
Minister of State Security Didymus Mutasa said the Southern African Development Community Tribunal was “daydreaming” after it ruled that Zimbabwe’s land reform programme was racially discriminatoryand violated Zimbabwe's SADC treaty obligations with regard to upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights.
431-Made says white farmers are no longer welcome in Zimbabwe
Agriculture Minister Joseph Made is reported to have given “short-shift” to a white farmer who had managed to “get his foot in the door” with him and told him that white farmers should finally get the message that they were no longer welcome in Zimbabwe.
432-US ambassador says it is in US interest to support MDC
Despite claims that the United States does not support any political party in Zimbabwe, a cable dispatched by former ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee on 16 March 2009, just a month after the formation of the inclusive government, specifically says “it is in our interest to support the Party (Movement for Democratic Change) and reformist ministries in the government that it shares”.
433-US ambassador says labour politics in Zimbabwe is dirty- Wikileaks
Labour politics in Zimbabwe is dirty and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ current leadership is undemocratic, selfish and controlling.
434-Tsvangirai says Gono transferred $100 million into his personal account
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador James McGee and British ambassador Andrew Pocock on 10 April 2009 that the Movement for Democratic Change had damning information that the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gideon Gono had transferred US$100 million from the central bank into a personal account.
435-Mugabe tells US delegation differences in GPA are "little issues"
President Robert Mugabe told a United States congressional delegation that visited Zimbabwe and met him at State House in September 2009 that he thought that the Global Political Agreement was proceeding well. The differences between the parties were “little issues”.
436-MDC had no plan B
The Movement for Democratic Change disengaged from the government in 2009 out of frustration with the Zimbabwe African National-Patriotic Front’s intransigence but it had no Plan B, according to the United States embassy officials.
437-US embassy says Mugabe is the glue that holds ZANU-PF together
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was in a slow, irreversible decline. It had no ideas and no programme other than to proclaim its liberation credentials. But President Robert Mugabe was the glue that held the party together.
438-Manicaland angered at Mutasa’s failure to become ZANU-PF chairman
The failure to elevate Zimbabwe African National Union secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa is reported to have angered the people of Manicaland because they felt that had been disadvantaged by President Robert Mugabe’s adherence to the Unity accord of 1987.
439-US was worried about Jonathan Moyo from the word go
The United States was worried about the entry of Jonathan Moyo into politics especially his appointment as Minister of State for Information and Publicity because it was afraid that no one might be able to silence him.
440-Cabinet split four weeks after getting into office
Zimbabwe’s cabinet of 2000 was split barely four weeks after being appointed to office with Information Minister Jonathan Moyo leading one faction and Finance Minister Simba Makoni another.
441-Moyo versus Moyo
Nkosana Moyo was the darling of the United States embassy in Harare which even called him a close embassy contact when he was appointed Minister of Industry and Trade in 2000.
442-Confusion over farm evictions
Police evicted hundreds of war veterans from four farms near Harare prompting the veterans to march on the streets of the capital demonstrating against the government’s action.
443-Farmer attacked with machete by war veteran
A farmer from Karoi Marshall Roper was attacked with a machete by a war veteran and other squatters who ordered him not to plant tobacco on the farm they had occupied.
444-Government shuts down private radio station
Police on 4 October 2000 shut down a private radio station Capital Radio which was operating from a makeshift studio at the five-star Crown Plaza Hotel.
445-Capital confusion
The Capital Radio case has quickly generated a flurry of conflicting court rulings, orders, summons, complaints, injunctions, warrants and contempt charges.
446-Jonathan Moyo becomes Mugabe’s hatchet man
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo’s rapid rise in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front politics was a clear indication that he had become President Robert Mugabe’s principal instrument for clamping down in dissent and bring back discipline in the party.
447-Supreme Court orders government to stop land acquisitions
The Supreme Court on 10 November ordered the government to halt all farm occupations and resettlement efforts until it complied with all legal requirements under the Land Acquisition Act.
448-Jonathan Moyo puts pressure on chief judge to resign
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo piled pressure on Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay to resign or recuse himself from cases involving the Commercial Famers Union because he had stated way back in 1991 his stance on the land issue.
449-Jonathan Moyo linked to Inyika Trust
Information Minister Jonathan was linked to a new trust Inyika Trust one of whose members was Harare lawyer Terrence Hussein who said the trust’s main purpose was to provide legal assistance and representation to communal farmers and landless Zimbabweans.
450-Zvobgo says Mugabe is now a majority of one in ZANU-PF
Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Masvingo kingpin Eddison Zvobgo said President Robert Mugabe was more firmly in control of ZANU-PF after the December 2000 annual conference during which younger members of the party were elected to the politburo than he had ever been before.
451-Jonathan Moyo friends with Justice Chidyausiku
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was friends with then Judge President Godfrey Chidyausiku and United States embassy officials speculated as early as January 2001 that as an ardent supporter of President Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Chidyausiku could become chief justice because of the “tireless lobbying” by Moyo.
452-ZANU-PF upbeat after winning Bikita West by-election
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was ebullient after winning the Bikita West by-election which it had lost to the Movement for Democratic Change the previous year.
453-MDC challenges Mugabe decree
The Movement for Democratic Change has challenged a decree by President Robert Mugabe prohibiting the nullification of the election of any Member of Parliament.
454-Jonathan Moyo, Chinamasa pile pressure on judges
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa were piling pressure on judges to resign after the Supreme Court ruling that the land reform programme should be halted, Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay told United States embassy officials.
455-How Jonathan Moyo started muzzling the press
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was slowly muzzling the press but his approach was quite sophisticated and could in the long run be more effective than simply destroying the printing presses of the Daily News.
456-Zvobgo says Jonathan Moyo has struck thunder into ZANU-PF MPs
Former presidential aspirant Eddison Zvobgo told United States embassy officials that Members of Parliament were “absolutely petrified” to speak out against the party. Information Minister Jonathan Moyo had “struck thunder” into the hearts of the ZANU-PF MPs.
457-Jonathan Moyo will never be anything more than Mugabe’s man
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was so despised in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front that he would never be anything more than “President Mugabe’s man”.
458-US judge describes Jonathan Moyo as “Goebbels reincarnated”
A United States Judge who was part of a visiting International Bar Association delegation described then Information Minister Jonathan Moyo as “Goebbels reincarnated” in his approach both to propaganda and to governing.
459-Rare dissent in ZANU-PF
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front bigwigs were in for a surprise when two Parliamentary committees tabled reports that were highly critical of the government.
460-MDC scores major legal victory
The Movement for Democratic Change won a major legal victory when Judge James Devittie nullified two ZANU-PF parliamentary victories in Buhera North and Hurungwe and declared the two seats vacant.
461-Jonathan Moyo unmoved by MDC victory in Masvingo
The Movement for Democratic Change won the Masvingo mayoral seat when its candidate Alois Chaimiti beat the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front candidate Jacob Chademana, but Information Minister Jonathan Moyo brushed off the victory saying the council was still in the hands of ZANU-PF.
462-Zvinavashe - we will not salute anyone…..
Former Defence Forces chief Vitalis Zvinavashe made headlines in January 2002 when he held a press conference at which he said the security forces would not support or salute anyone with a different agenda that threatened the very existence of Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, the country and its people.
463-Funeral of MDC activist postponed because leaders are in hospital
The funeral of a Movement for Democratic Change activist, Gift Tandare, who was killed by the police, had to be postponed because most of the leaders of the party including leader Morgan Tsvangirai were in hospital after being beaten by police.
464-Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland barred from leaving the country
Two injured Movement for Democratic Change officials Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland were barred from boarding a flight to Johannesburg for treatment.
465-How to get Mugabe to step down
The only way to get President Robert Mugabe to step down is to get a series of respectable and influential people in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front to begin speaking out against his presidential candidacy.
466-Government tightens political noose
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo on 25 June announced that the government would soon prohibit non-governmental organisations, churches, and aid agencies from conducting voter education campaigns.
467-Government bans BBC
The government on 25 June suspended the accreditation of the British Broadcasting Corporation following what it said was a series of distortions of events in the country.
468-How to get accreditation as a foreign journalist in Zimbabwe
Journalists from the New York Times and The Washington Post were able to enter Zimbabwe and report on political and economic issues legally after following procedures laid down by Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
469-Jonathan Moyo says ZIDERA is a racist piece of legislation
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which was recently passed by the United States government to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe was a racist piece of legislation.
470-Fingaz says Jonathan Moyo will not succeed in silencing media
The Financial Gazette said Information Minister Jonathan Moyo would not succeed in his quest to silence divergent voices especially the independent media.
471-EU banks on SADC to put pressure on Zimbabwe
The European Union was banking on the Southern African Development Community to put pressure on Zimbabwe to honour its obligations under SADC agreements regarding good governance, rule of law, human rights and free elections.
472-Kwinje and Holland released
Movement for Democratic Change officials Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland were released after a High Court judge ordered police to release their travel papers and they flew to Johannesburg for treatment.
473-Mugabe says US is trying to rule Zimbabwe by remote control
President Robert Mugabe said the United States was trying to rule Zimbabwe by “remote control” through its economic might. He was commenting on the proposed Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which sought to impose travel restrictions on himself and his family, his ministers and service chiefs and their families.
474-Jonathan Moyo, Chombo and Mahofa dishing out cash at rallies
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo and Youth Development Minister Shuvai Mahofa were reportedly dishing out large amounts of cash at political rallies in the run-up to the Bulawayo mayoral elections.
475-SA ambassador says Jonathan Moyo is not good friends with the truth
South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Jeremiah Ndou said President Robert Mugabe was being misled by his inner circle of friends especially Information Minister Jonathan Moyo because he was “not good friends with the truth”.
476-Jonathan Moyo says violence begets violence
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said violence begets violence and talk about phantom violence in Zimbabwe could only encourage unscrupulous elements, among them ex-Rhodesians belonging to the Movement for Democratic Change to instigate violence in the hope of using it as a political platform.
477-Tsvangirai confident he would win presidential elections
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was confident he would win the 2002 presidential elections and was more worried about the havoc by the war veterans than the military.
478-Jonathan Moyo says election observers are no different from tourists
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said election observers were "no different from tourists" because they merely watched the proceedings and had no right to intervene.
479-Jonathan Moyo blasts MISA
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo blasted the Media Institute of Southern Africa after it denounced the arrest of Daily News editor Geoff Nyarota and his former business partner Wilf Mbanga for allegedly contravening the Zimbabwe Investment Centre Act.
480-US portrays itself as defender of justice in Zimbabwe rather than dictator
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said the United States should maintain the image of defender of justice in Zimbabwe and avoid the image of big power dictation.
481-Sikhanyiso Ndlovu says Border Gezi was uneducated and immature
Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front commissar Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said it was difficult to work with his former boss Border Gezi because he was uneducated and immature.
482-Sikhanyiso Nlodvu’s college burnt by MDC supporters
A college belonging to acting Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front commissar Sikhanyiso Ndlovu was burnt by Movement for Democratic Change supporters in retaliation to the burning of their offices by war veterans.
483-Jonathan Moyo fighting terrorism!
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said he was fighting against terrorism in the run-up to the 2002 presidential elections and labelled the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and the independent media as supporters of terrorism.
484-Mugabe to have an unhappy exit!
President Robert Mugabe will have an unhappy exit when the people take to the streets so he is bent on winning the presidential elections by “hook or crook”.
485-Jonathan Moyo describes ZIDERA as “tempest in a teapot”
The passing of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which slapped sanctions on Zimbabwe and top ranking officials of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front received wide coverage in Zimbabwe but Information Minister Jonathan Moyo downplayed it calling it a “tempest in a teapot”.
486-Finance permsec resigned to ZANU-PF machinations
The permanent secretary for Finance Nicholas Ncube told a United States embassy official in December 2001 that the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front had been in election mode for almost three years beginning with the failed campaign for a new constitution in 1999.
487-UNDP rep says ZANU-PF is on a suicidal path
Former United Nations Development Programme resident representative Victor Angelo told United States assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner in December 2001 that a growing number of people in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front realised that the party was on a suicidal path but they were not willing to stand up to President Robert Mugabe.
488-Mnangagwa tells US ambassador about his disdain for Jonathan Moyo
Emmerson Mnangagwa told United States ambassador Joseph Sullivan that he hoped the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill would never be passed and voiced his disdain for Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
489-Obasanjo promised Tsvangirai he would urge Mugabe to step down
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo promised Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he would urge President Robert Mugabe to step down but nothing of the sort happened when the two leaders met a week later.
490-Journalists arrested for demonstrating against AIPPA
Three journalists were arrested for demonstrating against the proposed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill. The journalists denounced both the bill and its sponsor Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
491-AIPPA passed
The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act was finally passed after three weeks if haggling between Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Parliamentary Legal Committee Chairman Eddison Zvobgo. Zvobgo had argued that the bill was unconstitutional and had issued an adverse report on it and refused to appear in Parliament to present the report.
492-ZANU-PF campaign of intimidation pays off
United States embassy officials still held the forlorn hope that Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change could pip Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front in the 2002 presidential elections but the figures were heavily skewed in favour of Mugabe.
493-MDC leaders planned to go into exile after presidential poll
After witnessing thousands of its supporters being barred from voting in the 2002 presidential poll, the Movement for Democratic Change decided that some of its leaders must leave the country to carry on the struggle but secretary-general Welshman Ncube was arrested near the border with Botswana.
494-MDC disputes poll results, rejects GNU
The Movement for Democratic Change complained that it had been cheated out of the 2002 presidential elections and would only accept a transitional arrangement leading to new elections while the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front sought to legitimise the presidency of Robert Mugabe and was prepared to offer some seats in government to the MDC in a government of national unity.
495-Jonathan Moyo and Nyarota spar for a fight
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo threatened to invoke the recently passed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act against the Daily News editor-in-chief Geoff Nyarota for “continued misrepresentation”.
496-US accused of coordinating terror campaign in Zimbabwe!
The United States was accused of coordinating a terror campaign to fast-track Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai into power. The accusation was made by the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, which said the MDC was planning to bomb strategic buildings in Harare and Bulawayo to invoke civil unrest and pave the way for military intervention by Britain and the United States.
497-Daily News under siege
The Daily News was under siege after Information Minister Jonathan Moyo instructed parastatals not to advertise in the paper.
498-Jonathan Moyo says Daily News journalists are common criminals
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said three journalists who had written a story that ZANU-PF supporters had beheaded a 53-year old woman were not journalists but “common criminals” after the story turned out not to be true.
499-Journalists under pressure as Supreme Court says constitutional challenge of AIPPA is not urgent
Several journalists who were facing charges of contravening sections of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act got no relief when the Supreme Court ruled that the constitutional challenge of sections of AIPPA was not urgent.
500-Chakaodza says Jonathan Moyo has lost the plot
The editor of The Standard Bornwell Chakaodza said Information Minister Jonathan Moyo had lost the plot in his anxiety to control everything.
501-Jonathan Moyo says retrenchments at ZBC will boost morale
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said he was sure that the retrenchment exercise at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, where 60 percent of the 900 employees were to be laid off, would boost morale. "What the ZBC has announced are not plans to retrench, they have announced an action programme in the on-going restructuring exercise," he said.
502-Government appoints media and information commission
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo appointed a six-member Media and Information Commission to license media organisations, accredit journalists, and assume other functions related to controlling the media in Zimbabwe. Tafataona Mahoso, head of the journalism department at Harare Polytechnic and strong supporter of the Mugabe administration and media control, was named executive chairman of the Commission.
503-American journalist charged under AIPPA
An American Andrew Meldrum who was writing for the British newspaper The Guardian was facing trial for contravening a section of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act for publishing a false story. Meldrum filed a story with The Guardian which said ZANU-PF supporters had beheaded a 53-year-old woman. The story was not true.
504-Chakaodza says Jonathan Moyo has lost the plot
The editor of The Standard Bornwell Chakaodza said Information Minister Jonathan Moyo had lost the plot in his anxiety to control everything.
505-Lawyer says Mugabe wanted to control professional workers
Harare lawyer Sternford Moyo, who was president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe at the time, said President Robert Mugabe had put his ministers under “enormous pressure” to come up with ways to control professional workers and the organisations that represented them including the Law Society.
506-New media law demands sensitive corporate information
New regulations for the registration of media organisations demand detailed and sensitive corporate information which includes market analyses, the organization's financial backers, business plans, projected three-year earnings or losses, and the professional history of the organisation's leaders.
507-Nyarota sues Jonathan Moyo for $6 million
Geoff Nyarota, editor-in-chief of The Daily News, filed a Z$6 million lawsuit against Information Minister Jonathan Moyo for defamation in July 2002. He argued that an article which appeared in the June 7, 2002 edition of The Herald under headline "Moyo files lawsuit against Sikhala, Daily News" was insulting.
508-Rumours fly as MDC spokesman dies in jail
There was wide speculation when Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Learnmore Jongwe was found dead in his prison cell on 22 October 2002. Jongwe was arrested in July for fatally stabbing his wife, and he subsequently confessed to the crime. He had been denied bail by both the High Court and Supreme Court, ostensibly for fear that he would abscond.
509-Confusion still abounds over Jongwe’s death
There was still confusion about how Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Learnmore Jongwe had died with police saying he had died from chloroquine poisoning but his family still blamed the government for his death. The United States embassy commented: “Whatever the circumstances of Jongwe's death, it is extremely unlikely that most opposition supporters will accept that he died at his own hand”.
510-US embassy says Chamisa a hardliner who does not shrink from a fight
The United States embassy described then Movement for Democratic Change youth chairman Nelson Chamisa as a hardliner who does not shrink from a fight. Chamisa had just been selected as the candidate for the Kuwadzana seat which had been left vacant following the death of party spokesman Learnmore Jongwe.
511-Dell walks out on Mumbengegwi
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell walked out of a briefing with Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi after the minister refused to give an assurance that diplomats would be allowed to ask questions after the briefing.
512-Dell says talent is thin in MDC
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, who the state-owned media repeatedly said had been deployed to Zimbabwe to remove President Robert Mugabe, was disillusioned by the Movement for Democratic Change when his tour ended and said that talent below the top ranks was thin. The only exceptions were Tendai Biti and Nelson Chamisa now both ministers in the inclusive government.
513-MDC sets conditions for SADC agreement
The Movement for Democratic Change said it would not be possible to enter into an agreement with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or to have free and fair elections until at least six conditions were met.
514-Chamisa’s 78-year-old grandmother assaulted in run-up to presidential elections
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa’s 78-year-old grandmother, his mother and brother were assaulted by armed soldiers when they raided their home in Gutu South during the run-up to the presidential elections of 27 June 2008.
515-Chamisa versus Mugabe
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa on the current impasse in talks: "We want to share power. But Mugabe wants to swallow the MDC. We will not allow that. He wants all the key ministries - finance, home affairs, defence, information, foreign affairs, justice and even women and youth."
516-Tsvangirai says there was a one-in-one-thousand chance that accident that killed his wife was intentional
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that there was a one-in-one-thousand chance that the accident that killed his wife Susan less than a month after he assumed office was an intentional act.
517-Rare week in Harare
It was a rare week in Harare as the funeral of Susan Tsvangirai united politicians from both the Movement for democratic change and the Zimbabwe African National Union- patriotic Front.
518-Tsvangirai charged over careless remark about Mugabe
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was charged with inciting violence over a careless remark he made about President Robert Mugabe that if Mugabe did not go peacefully, “we will remove him violently”. The MDC leader was charged five months after making the remark.
519-Chamisa, Musekiwa, Jongwe and Sikhala are ZANU-PF plants!
Senior Movement for Democratic Change official Trudy Stevenson said she did not trust MPs Tafadzwa Musekiwa, Job Sikhala and Learnmore Jongwe and youth leader Nelson Chamisa because they were possibly ZANU-PF plants.
520-Local journalists challenge AIPPA
Local journalists filed an application with the Supreme Court challenging the legality of some sections of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The application was filed by Abel Mutsakani of the Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe and Vincent Kahiya of the Independent.
521-Jonathan Moyo says British government has gone bananas
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo accused the British government of “going bananas” when they refused Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politburo member Joshua Malinga entry into the UK because of the European Union travel ban on senior ZANU-PF officials.
522-Mugabe, Jonathan Moyo rap the West
President Robert Mugabe and Information Minister Jonathan Moyo both rapped the West to trying to topple the Zimbabwean government with Mugabe accusing the West of waging a racist campaign to undermine his government. He said the West was resisting the completion of the independence process began in 1980 in order to protect their kith and kin.
523-Chamisa stripped of powers
Information and Communications Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa was stripped of his powers when the communications portfolio was reallocated to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development led by Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front minister Nicholas Goche.
524-Tsvangirai’s honeymoon over
Movement for Democratic Change ministers were growing impatient with President Robert Mugabe’s flouting of the Global Political Agreement, his stripping of Information and Communications Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa of his powers, and his refusal to swear in MDC deputy Minister for Agriculture Roy Bennett.
525-Tomana refuses to budge
Attorney-general Johannes Tomana reasserted his legitimacy as the government’s top prosecutor when he responded to criticism from Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Minister of Information Communications Technology Nelson Chamisa who accused him of being "divisive" for refusing to release the passport of Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett.
526-Zimbabwe sliding slowly into police state
Zimbabwe was sliding slowly into a police state with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front escalating its intimidation of Movement for Democratic Change leaders and supporters.
527-MDC sweeps Bulawayo elections
The Movement for Democratic Change swept the September 8-9 elections in Bulawayo, winning the mayoral race and all seven city council seats under contention by a landslide.
528-Tsvangirai escapes ZANU-PF attack- Jongwe suspended
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai escaped injury on October 12 after his convoy was attacked by stone-throwing ZANU-PF supporters. Two windows of his vehicle were shattered and the vehicle's body was damaged. Police were unhelpful and failed to arrest or charge any of the perpetrators.
529-Government crack down on MDC after murder of Cain Nkala
There was a government crackdown on the Movement for Democratic Change in Bulawayo following the murder of war veterans leader Cain Nkala. The government accused the party of being responsible for the murder.
530-Violence intensifies in run up to presidential elections
Police and Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front militants blocked a Movement for Democratic Change rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on 20 January 2002 as violence intensified in the run-up to the presidential elections.
531-Human rights activist arrested for publishing falsehoods
The acting director of Amani Trust Frances Lovemore was arrested on 29 August for violating a section of the Public Order and Security Act which prohibits publication of “falsehoods” prejudicial to the State.
532-Jonathan Moyo says Zimbabwe is not a banana republic
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said Zimbabwe was not a banana republic wanting to please foreign journalists because it had its own impressive professional cadre of journalists who needed work.
533-Delta financing its own interests while appearing benevolent
Delta Corporation, one of the heavyweights in the Zimbabwean economy, was reported to be financing its own interests in a Z$10 billion initiative through which it was to loan inputs for the production of maize, sorghum and malting barley to selected farmers.
534-Police and soldiers arrest MDC supporters in run up to presidential elections
Police reportedly raided the Movement for Democratic Change Harare provincial headquarters and arrested 31 supporters claiming that the gathering was illegal under the Public Order and Security Act.
535-Government running scared despite presidential victory
The government was running scared despite its victory in the presidential elections of March and was using all of the means at its disposal to head-off and disrupt any kind of gathering lest it erupt into a demonstration or riot that might spark a larger uprising.
536-ZESN chair says people voted for food and not political candidate
Zimbabwe Election Supervisory Network chairman Reginald Matchaba-Hove criticised the government for vote buying and said in the Insiza by-election people had voted for food and not for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front candidate who won the election.
537-MDC silent about results of private autopsy on Jongwe
The Movement for Democratic Change was still not aware of the results of the second independent autopsy commissioned by the party on former spokesman Learnmore Jongwe, almost a month after his death.
538-NCA-MDC sponsored stay-away flops
A stay-away organised by the National Constitutional Assembly and the Movement for Democratic Change flopped after the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions refused to endorse it because it did not have the mandate from the grassroots. Eleven ZCTU leaders were, however, arrested while attending a seminar though they had distanced themselves from the intended stay-away.
539-One dies after clashes in Kuwadzana
Political clashes continued in Kuwadzana in the run-up to a by-election to replace Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Learnmore Jongwe with one person believed to have died from severe burns. Sixteen other suspects had been arrested, all of them MDC youths.
540-A poisoning pattern
The Movement for Democratic Change complained that several of its members, including Job Sikhala, who had been detained by police and suspected CIO agents, had been forced to drink unspecified liquids resulting in severe sickness in three cases, and death in two cases.
541-MDC activists receive better treatment in prison
Movement for Democratic Change activists who were being held in custody following the death of war veterans leader Cain Nkala said their treatment had improved after they complained that they had been tortured into making confessions.
542-MP says Mugabe wanted to step down in 2001 but was urged to stay on
Former legislator for Murehwa North Victor Chitongo told a United States embassy official in September 2002 that President Mugabe wanted to retire in 2001 but was urged to stay on by several of his appointed cabinet ministers.
543-Government stops food aid to Insiza
The World Food Programme suspended food distributions in Insiza district a week before a parliamentary by-election after ZANU-PF youths seized three tonnes and began distributing it themselves.
544-Government cracks down on NGOs
The government intensified its crackdown on non-governmental organisations towards the end of 2002 with food seizures in Insiza and the halting of food aid in Binga, and piled pressure on human rights organisations like Amani Trust.
545-Parirenyatwa doubted Zimbabweans could find a solution to their crisis
Former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa doubted that Zimbabweans could resolve their political crisis on their own and suggested that major powers such as the United States and the United Kingdom should intervene. He however said President Robert Mugabe should be part of the solution.
546-US ambassador threatens Zimbabwe after farm seizure
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said his country could review Zimbabwe’s trade benefits under the General Schedule of Preferences because Zimbabwe had seized two properties belonging to American citizens.
547-US ambassador says very few resettled farmers are actually farming
Although the government claimed that it had resettled 350 000 farmers, fewer than 100 000 had taken up residence and less than 40 000 were actually farming.
548-Daily News challenges AIPPA
The Daily News challenged the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act arguing that it interfered with and restricted freedom of expression. The respondents were Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa.
549-Jonathan Moyo says Daily News is operating illegally
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said the Daily News was operating illegally because it was not registered in terms of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Its journalists were also not accredited as required by the law.
550-Herald refuses to apologies for chain of “lies”
The Herald refused to apologise after a series of stories which diplomats complained had been distorted arguing that newspapers throughout the world were not immune to making mistakes and The Herald was no exception. The paper argued that there was a clear distinction between a mistake and publishing falsehoods.
551-Banker says Chinamasa, Made, Moyo and Chombo are enriching themselves
Standard Chartered Chief Executive and Zimbabwe Bankers' Association President Washington Matsaira told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan that President Mugabe's inner-circle "hawks"- Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Agriculture Minister Joseph Made, Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Public Works Minister Ignatius Chombo- were either still enriching themselves from the government’s interventionist policies by accessing foreign currency at the official rate or unwilling to press Mugabe to make a change.
552-CFU says Moyo not Made calling the shots on land issue
Commercial Farmers Union president Colin Cloete said after several meetings with government officials he was now convinced that it was Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, and not Agriculture Minister Joseph Made, who was in control of the negotiations.
553-US upset by Obasanjo’s letter about Zimbabwe
The United States was so upset by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to Australian Prime Minister John Howard recommending the lifting of Commonwealth sanctions on Zimbabwe that it said the letter read like a press release from Zimbabwe’s propaganda chief Jonathan Moyo.
554-Gono offered tax-evasion assistance to exporters while at CBZ?
Indigenous banks like the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe had found a niche market offering tax-evasion assistance for exporters that they were not likely to stop this practice despite the announcement of a new exchange rate by the government.
555-US ambassador says Makoni is a breath of fresh air
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said former Finance Minister Simba Makoni was a breath of fresh air. “He never feeds us his party’s tired rhetoric, but freely acknowledges the depth of the crises facing Zimbabwe and has good ideas about how to resolve them.”
556-Zimbabwe deports UN Special Rapporteur on torture
Zimbabwe barred the United Nations special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Manfred Nowak, from the entering the country, though he had initially been invited by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa.
557-Newspaper says three MDC ministers are facing corruption charges
The Zimbabwe Independent said three Movement for Democratic Change ministers, co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa, Energy Minister Elias Mudzuri and Mines deputy Minister Murisi Zvizwai, were facing internal corruption investigations but party spokesman Nelson Chamisa denied this.
558-Chamisa arrested for inciting violence
Movement for Democratic Change youth chairman Nelson Chamisa was arrested and charged with inciting violence at rallies in Harare’s Glen Norah and Kambuzuma suburbs.
559-Two by-elections critical to ZANU-PF succession planning
With 93 seats in Parliament, only seven short of attaining a two-thirds majority, by-elections in Kuwadzana and Highfield were viewed as key to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front succession planning. The party could play around with the country’s constitution which it had failed to amend in 2000 if it attained a two-thirds majority.
560-POSA-the curse of the MDC MP
After losing the Kuwadzana and Highfield seats the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front appeared to have stepped up its harassment of Movement for Democratic Change legislators. Several MDC legislators were charged with contravening the Public Order and Security Act and could face penalties of up to 20 years in jail.
561-Chamisa back in the can
Movement for Democratic Change legislator for Kuwadzana Nelson Chamisa was arrested for holding a constituency feedback meeting at his house without police approval in what appeared to be continued harassment of the MDC.
562-Tsvangirai advisor speaks about challenges to MDC
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s special advisor Gandi Mudzingwa said the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was opening political space for the MDC but the party was now in a dilemma on how to exploit these new opportunities without conceding their right to participate or boycott the coming elections.
563-A kinder gentler ZANU-PF- not likely!
Speculation that an overwhelming ZANU-PF win in the parliamentary elections, would lead ZANU-PF to moderate its stance toward the opposition were dashed off soon after the 2005 elections which the party won by a two-thirds majority.
564-Chamisa and Gandi Mudzingwa quizzed over arms caches
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s right hand man Gandi Mudzingwa and youth chairman Nelson Chamisa were detained by police for six hours and were repeatedly asked to identify locations of MDC arms caches.
565-MDC tries to foment disturbances after crackdown on illegal activities
Movement for Democratic Change secretary for presidential affairs Gandi Mudzingwa told United States embassy officials that the party was working closely with civil society to foment protests over the government crackdown on the informal sector.
566-MDC seeks “continued” US Support
Movement for Democratic Change secretary Welshman Ncube, secretary for foreign affairs Priscilla Misihairabwi- Mushonga, youth chairman Nelson Chamisa, Job Sikhala and secretary for economic affairs Tendai Biti, asked a visiting congressional delegation that had come to inspect the effects of the government crackdown on illegal settlements for “continued” US support saying Operation restore Order had weakened the government.
567-Chamisa says taking MDC split to court is political lunacy
Movement for Democratic Change youth chairman Nelson Chamisa told United States embassy officials that party secretary general Welshman Ncube was bent on destroying the party and added that opening up the party to disruption and manipulation by the government-controlled courts was political lunacy.
568-MDC split gets nastier
The split of the Movement for Democratic Change over participation in senate elections took a nastier turn when the faction led by secretary-general Welshman Ncube filed an application with the court barring party leader Morgan Tsvangirai from continuing to speak for the party.
569-Bennett says Tsvangirai is the MDC’s only chance
Movement for Democratic Change legislator for Chimanimani Roy Bennett said party leader Morgan Tsvangirai was their only chance in the next presidential elections and would gave to remain atop the party “for now”.
570-MDC leaders from Manicaland arrested on arms charges
At least six Movement for Democratic Change leaders, including Roy Bennett and Giles Mutsekwa, from Manicaland were arrested in connection with arms caches. The other four were Michael Peter Hitschmann, at whose home the cache was found, MDC provincial treasurer Brian James, MDC provincial youth chairman Knowledge Nyamhuka, and MDC activist Thando Sibanda.
571-Tsvangirai says there is no room for life presidents in Zimbabwe
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said there was no room for life presidents in Zimbabwe and promised to step down as party leader after Zimbabweans liberated themselves from the current dictatorship. He was addressing the party’s congress after the split of 2005 where he was unanimously elected president.
572-Chamisa says “without VOA we are done”
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa said his party would use Voice of America’s Studio 7, which is targeted at Zimbabwe, to expose the cracks within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front adding, “without VOA we are done”.
573-MDC attacks MDC
A member of the pro-senate faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Trudy Stevenson was attacked by some youths who she claimed where from the Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the MDC. Tsvangirai’s party denied the allegations but pro-senate spokesman Gabriel Chaibva said one of the cars used was owned by Tsvangirai faction spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
574-Land audit hall of shame
At least three documents claiming to be audits on the controversial land issue were doing the rounds in early 2003 warranting the United States embassy to issue a cable which among others had a hall of shame in which top Zimbabwe African National Union –Patriotic Front officials who had more than one farm were named and shamed.
575-Stay-away a success
A stay-away organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions was a success with between 70 to 90 percent of the workers staying at home but the United States embassy said Information Minister Jonathan Moyo could retaliate using the Public Order and Security Act.
576-Repressive laws up for amendment
Two repressive laws, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Electoral Amendment Bill, are to come up for amendments before parliament. If proposed amendments are passed, the bills will tighten restrictions on the Zimbabwean people and journalists, rights of expression, limit the campaigning ability of opposition parties, and make the electoral process less inclusive.
577-Supreme Court nullifies section of AIPPA
The Supreme Court said section 80 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act which made the publication of “falsehoods” a criminal offence was unconstitutional. Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said he would revise the section.
578-US embassy says government lied to them
The United States embassy complained after the deportation of American journalist Andrew Meldrum that immigration officials had lied to them and his lawyers that they were not deporting him.
579-Jonathan Moyo not yet doctoring inflation figures
Zimbabwe’s inflation had rocketed to 269 percent by April 2003 but United States embassy officials were happy that Information Minister Jonathan Moyo had not yet started doctoring the numbers.
580-AIPPA tops the agenda
Amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act were expected to top the agenda when parliament resumed seating in the second half of 2003. Critics of AIPPA argued that the law contravened the constitutional right of freedom of expression and was meant to gag the independent media.
581-Tsvangirai leads march on parliament
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai led a demonstration of between 500 and 1 000 supporters from the party headquarters to Parliament calling for President RobertMugabe to step down. Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said details of the march were known only to Tsvangirai and a handful of organisers and that the national executive council learned about the march on the morning of the march.
582-Chiredzi South by-election expected to bolster Mnangagwa
A 2007 by-election in Chiredzi South in which the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was fielding an ex-army officer, Killian Gwanetsa, was expected to bolster Emmerson Mnangagwa who was reportedly trying to increase his support within the military as well as his influence in Masvingo Province.
583-Bennett kept million-dollar funding to MDC secret to keep vultures at bay
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett told United States embassy officials that the party had obtained a US$1 million donation but only party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, secretary general Tendai Biti and himself knew about this funding. Bennett said he wanted to keep things that way to keep the “vultures at bay”.
584-Government arrests human rights lawyers
The government arrested Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni, two prominent human rights lawyers who were representing 31 opposition officials, and charged them with obstruction of justice.
585-Chamisa said MDC would be finished if it boycotted 2008 elections
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the Movement for Democratic Change would be finished as a party if it boycotted the 2008 elections.
586-Behind the scenes in the run-up to the 2008 elections
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee less than two months before the 2008 elections that the party was broke. It needed US$10 million to run its country-wide campaign.
587-US ambassador refuses to buy MDC spin
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee refused to buy Movement for Democratic Change spin that a march in the capital had attracted more than 30 000 people, saying instead it had only attracted hundreds. He had been given the figure by MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa and party president Morgan Tsvangirai had confirmed Chamisa’s figure.
588-MDC paralysed by spate of arrests
In what appeared to be a deliberate and concerted effort to paralyse the Movement for Democratic Change soon after its election victory in March 2008, 10 Members of Parliament and two senators were jailed and formally charged. Other MDC officials were detained without charge, harassed or pursued on unknown charges.
589-MDC humiliates Mugabe
The Movement for Democratic Change was ecstatic when it won the Speaker of Parliament post giving it control of the House of Assembly prompting the United States embassy in Harare to comment that Mugabe had been shocked and humiliated by the MDC twice in two days.
590-Mugabe puts US on the defensive
President Robert Mugabe put United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan on the defensive when he said United States President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair had lied about Iraq. Mugabe said the two superpowers were “liars” and “criminals” and must stand before the International Court of Justice.
591-Media reaction to George Bush’s visit to Africa
The reporting of United States President George Bush’s visit to Africa reflected the political divide in the local media with The Herald trashing the visit because Bush was coming to Africa “with dirty hands after his alleged bungling in Iraq”.
592-Herald says MDC antics are childish and laughable
The battle to trash United States President George Bush’s visit to Africa continued with The Herald lashing out at the Movement for Democratic Change.
593-Jonathan Moyo says people are tired of MDC lies and hallucinations
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo spoiled the conciliatory tone of President Robert Mugabe when he opened Parliament on 22 July 2003, easing tensions between the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change, by labelling the MDC a "hitherto treasonous party" which must stop "sabotaging the economy" and claiming that the public was "tired of MDC lies and hallucinations".
594-Why Mugabe did not want to talk to Tsvangirai
President Robert Mugabe did not want to talk to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai way back in 2003 for three major reasons. The first was his legitimacy, the second the MDC challenge of the March 2002 presidential elections and the third the MDC’s alleged status as a puppet of the West.
595-Jonathan Moyo blasts US over Studio 7
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo accused the United States and Britain of toughening "their hostility towards Zimbabwe," by "churning out propaganda about regime change" through the Voice of America's Studio 7.
596-Gandi Mudzingwa says the MDC does not have anybody beyond Tsvangirai
Gandi Mudzingwa, the special advisor to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, told a United States embassy official that like the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, the MDC had no clear succession mechanism and despite its wide popular support it lacked anybody beyond Tsvangirai who had the stature to command a national following.
597-Jonathan Moyo sends NGOs panicking
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo sent jitters within Non-Governmental organisations when he reportedly said NGOs that did not cooperate with the government “would be cut off at the knees”.
598-Government closes Daily News
Police on 12 September 2003 raided the offices and printing press of The Daily News forcing production to cease. The raid followed a Supreme Court ruling the previous day that the paper’s operations were illegal under the Access to Information and Privacy Protection Act.
599-Mzembi says there is no rift between Mugabe and Mnangagwa
Masvingo South legislator Walter Mzembi told a United States embassy official in late 2008 that he had attended meetings that included President Robert Mugabe and Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and he doubted that there was a rift between the two.
600-Chamisa and Biti did not want GPA
Movement for Democratic Change hardliners secretary general Tendai Biti and spokesman Nelson Chamisa did not want the agreement between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the MDC and were trying to scuttle the deal nearly a month after the signing of the Global Political Agreement.
601-US ambassador says some reports of violence by MDC are questionable
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee said some reports of violence that were being reported by the Movement for Democratic Change were questionable.
602-Chamisa says Tsvangirai’s US advisor is a big problem
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa told United States embassy officials that Morgan Tsvangirai’s US advisor Melinda Farris was a “big problem”. He said Tsvangirai had been listening to her to the exclusion of many in the MDC leadership, including himself and Tendai Biti, with whom Farris had a strained relationship.
603-Mugabe cannot drag the country into elections just because he lost
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa said President Robert Mugabe could not drag the whole country into harmonised elections just because he lost because what was in dispute was the position of the president.
604-Chamisa says Biti wanted to become Deputy Prime Minister
Movement for Democratic Change spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said party secretary-general Tendai Biti had said a deal with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to set up an inclusive government was dead because he was disappointed that he would not be appointed deputy Prime Minister.
605-Tsvangirai acknowledges Mugabe’s resilience
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai acknowledged the resilience of President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front a month before the formation of the inclusive government and added that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo had told him that he thought Mugabe wanted to die in office.
606-Chamisa says US rhetoric on Mugabe is counterproductive
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa told United States embassy officials that the United States rhetoric that "Mugabe must go" was empty and counterproductive. He said regime opponents had initially hoped that the rhetoric would be complemented by action instead US inaction was causing people to lose heart.
607-MDC MP convicted of forging nomination papers
Movement for Democratic Change Member of Parliament for Chimanimani West Lynette Karenyi was convicted by magistrate Billard Musakwa of forging four signatures nominating her to contest the seat which she won by beating ZANU-PF candidate Munacho Mutezo.
608-US paid $100 000 for past delivery of mail
The United States embassy paid $100 000 to Zimpost for past delivery of personal mail. It discussed this payment and a request for diplomatic post office service to the embassy with Minister of Information and Communications technology Nelson Chamisa met US ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee two months after the formation of the inclusive government.
609-Don’t insult the Prime Minister
Journalists who met in May 2009 in Kariba at a stakeholders conference made 13 recommendations one of which was to repeal the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and another was not to insult the Prime Minister.
610-ZANUPF and MDC resolve some outstanding issues
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai announced on 21 May 2009 thatthe three political parties that formed the inclusive government had reached agreement on the contentious issues of division of governorships, appointment of permanent secretaries and ambassadors, and the delayed swearing in of Roy Bennett as Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
611-Biti says ZANU-PF is too preoccupied with Mugabe succession
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told United States embassy officials that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was too preoccupied with the succession of President Robert Mugabe to engage rationally in the political process.
612-A week of raids, arrests and mayhem
There was mayhem soon after the Movement for Democratic Change pulled out of government prompting party spokesman Nelson Chamisa to comment: "What we are seeing now was exactly how the violence began in the campaign for the presidential run-off elections between March and June last year. We are beginning to see the formation of another storm of violence."
613-Was Chiyangwa lined up for a ministerial job in 2000?
Former Affirmative Action Group president Phillip Chiyangwa was named as one of the 15 losers when President Robert Mugabe announced his cabinet in July 2000 after his party barely scrapped through the elections facing its stiffest challenge from the opposition since independence.
614-MDC would not accommodate people like Chiyangwa says Gandi
Movement for Democratic Change presidential advisor Gandi Mudzingwa said the party was not going to accommodate people like Phillip Chiyangwa and Saviour “Mike Tyson” Kasukuwere if Morgan Tsvangirai won the 2002 presidential elections because they used violence and intimidation to win their own elections.
615-Chiyangwa, Chapfika and Kasukwere too partisan
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Members of Parliament, Phillip Chiyangwa, David Chapfika and Saviour Kasukuwere used their positions in the parliamentary committees as a platform for partisan purposes.
616-Where did the money go?
Movement for Democratic Change candidate for the Kadoma Central by-election in 2003, Charles Mupandawana, complained that he had lost because he had not received adequate support from his party. He said though he had requested Z$8 million per week for the last three weeks of his campaign he had only received a total of Z$8 million.
617-Chiyangwa arrested
ZANU-PF Chinhoyi MP Phillip Chiyangwa was arrested for his alleged involvement in an expanding embezzlement scandal involving ENG Capital Management.
618-Chiyangwa arrest details
Flamboyant ZANU-PF MP and prominent businessman Philip Chiyangwa was arrested on 10 January 2004 on charges relating to a government investigation of troubled ENG Capital Asset Management.
619-Gono shakes the banking sector
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono cracked down on insolvent and corrupt financial institutions within days of assuming his post prompting some to accuse him of a vendetta since he had been in the sector before his appointment.
620-Did Chiyangwa outburst help Daily News?
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Member of Parliament for Chinhoyi Phillip Chiyangwa’s threats to the police in an open court may have influenced Zimbabwe’s decisive players to lift the ban on the Daily News.
621-Mnangagwa used state funds to finance succession campaign!
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s camp abused state-controlled funds to finance Mnangagwa’s ill-fated succession campaign according to former Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Welshman Ncube who now leads the smaller faction of the MDC.
622-Devaluation enemies have a field day
Devaluation enemies had a field day when the central bank pushed the exchange rate of the Zimbabwe dollar up and even commented, ”we have the fastest gaining currency in the world”.
623-Chinamasa sent parcel bomb
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa was sent a parcel bomb in February 2004 but apparently he was out of the country at the time and the parcel bomb which was received by his secretary was defused by the police. According to a cable released by Wikileaks the incident was not reported publicly.
624-ZANU-PF rejoices as Gono goes for the small fry
Zimbabweans and older ZANU-PF were rejoicing at the detention of Phillip Chiyangwa and James Makamba but the big fish seemed to be getting away with it. A cable released by Wikileaks said the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s much ballyhooed anti-corruption campaign had shut down one large bank and a smattering of marginal institutions while pursuing several hundred individuals.
625-Chiyangwa indicted on espionage charges
Chinhoyi Member of Parliament Phillip Chiyangwa was indicted on unspecified charges relating to espionage. He was indicted together with ZANU-PF deputy director for External Affairs Itai Mach, ambassador to Mozambique and former Consul-General in South Africa Godfrey Dzvairo, and Metropolitan Bank secretary Tendai Matambanadzo.
626-Press under fire
There was a “new and more dangerous” attack on the press in April 2004 with the state-owned Herald declaring that it was now "time to deal with traitors". Under pressure was the state news agency Ziana with one of the editors John Chimunhu being forced to resign.
627-Tribune shut down
The Media and Information Commission on 10 June 2004 cancelled the registration of The Tribune purportedly for changing its title, print, and ownership without the knowledge of the regulatory body.
628-Police burn down more than 200 homesteads
Riot police in Mashonaland West burnt down 237 homesteads on 8farms saying they wanted to remove communal farmers to make way for small-scale commercial farmers.
629-Spy trio jailed
Three ZANU-PF officials were found of spying on the party for South African intelligence and were jailed for five to six years. Zimbabwe’s ambassador-designate to Mozambique Godfrey Dzvairo was sentenced to six years. Banker Tendai Matambanadzo and ZANU-PF external affairs director Itai March got five years each.
630-US embassy says Chiyangwa’s wife should be added to the sanctions list
The United States embassy in Harare suggested that Phillip Chiyangwa’s wife Jocelyn should be added to the United States sanctions list.
631-Leo Mugabe arrested for fraud
President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Leo Mugabe was arrested on 20 October 2005 on charges of illegally exporting 30 tonnes of flour worth US$8.3 million at the official rate to Mozambique.
632-Chiyangwa lists company on stock exchange
ZECO Holdings, an engineering and construction company, which is owned by flamboyant businessman Phillip Chiyangwa, listed on the ZSE at four times its initial public offer price.
633-Editor says Jonathan Moyo acting on Mugabe’s instructions
The former editor of the Daily News Francis Mdlongwa said the closure of the paper was the result of orders coming straight from Information Minister Jonathan Moyo but Moyo could not act without consulting President Robert Mugabe.
634-Jonathan Moyo threatens to shut down Studio 7
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo vowed to silence Studio 7, a Voice of America station targetted at Zimbabwe. "Studio 7 will die. It faces death. They think we are sleeping, we want to see where they are going with Studio 7,” he was quoted as saying.
635-Supreme Court clips Jonathan Moyo’s wings
The Supreme Court clipped Information Minister Jonathan Moyo's wings when it declared unconstitutional section 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act that gave the minister unfettered power to veto the granting of a license by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, as well as the requirement to have only one national radio and television station in addition to the public broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
636-SA ambassador says Mugabe told Annan he was ready to step down
South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Jeremiah Ndou told United States ambassador Joseph Sullivan on 27 October 2003 that President Robert Mugabe had told United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan that he was “ready to leave office soon” but backtracked because of internal ZANU-PF differences over his succession.
637-Editors fall for Studio 7
Editors of Zimbabwe’s privately owned newspapers fell “hook, line and sinker” for the Voice of America’s Studio 7 which Information Minister Jonathan Moyo had said faced death.
638-Gono turning a blind eye on cheating exporters
The central bank was turning a blind eye to exporters who were refusing to surrender 50 percent of their export earnings to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe at the official exchange rate which was one-seventh of the market rate.
639-Mugabe joins Jonathan Moyo and Made in blame game
President Robert Mugabe joined Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Agriculture Minister Joseph Made in blaming parallel market traders for creating the forex shortage in the country.
640-Judge upholds Chombo's suspension of Mudzuri
High Court Justice Susan Mavangira on 10 July upheld Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo's controversial suspension of Harare Movement for Democratic Change mayor Elias Mudzuri for alleged misconduct.
641-Mayor suspended instead of corrupt councillors
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front dominated city council of Chegutu on 31 July voted to suspend its Movement for Democratic Change mayor Francis Dhlakama and to withdraw all benefits of his office.
642-MDC takes over urban councils
The Movement for Democratic Change gained control of the major urban centres in the 30-31 August 2003 mayoral and urban council elections gaining control of six of the country’s seven largest urban centres.
643-Chief Charumbira says Mudzuri is his own worst enemy
Chief Charumbira, who was deputy Minister of Local Government at the time of Harare mayor Elias Mudzuri’s suspension, said Mudzuri was his own worst enemy.
644-MDC councillors freshmen unable to comprehend issues
Movement for Democratic Change Harare provincial head Morgan Femai and Shadow Minister for Local Government Gabriel Chaibva described party councillors in Harare as political freshmen who were unable to comprehend issues.
645-Chombo after Mudzuri because he is Karanga
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo was after Harare mayor Elias Mudzuri because he was Karanga and wanted to finish him off politically.
646-Government puts squeeze on NGOs
The government was putting a squeeze on non-governmental organisations insisting that all NGOs must register with the state. A proposed bill was also expected to prohibit "foreign" NGOs from operating in the areas of human rights and governance.
647-MDC presidential election challenge hearing starts
The Movement for Democratic Change’s case in which it was seeking the invalidation of the 2002 presidential election results began on 3 November 2003 but the party was not happy with the presiding judge Ben Hlatshwayo.
648-Mugabe an impossible nut for US to crack
President Robert Mugabe has been a tough nut for the United States to crack. This was the message of Herald columnist Nathaniel Manheru’s message to outgoing United States assistance secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner when he left office before achieving regime change.
649-Gono did not want RBZ job- Wikileaks
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono did not want the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe post and tried to dodge President Robert Mugabe for six months, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
650-US embassy says attack on Studio 7 ends up as advertorial
The United States embassy in Harare said a Sunday Mail attack on the Voice of America’s Studio 7 which is targeted at Zimbabwe ended up as an advertorial because it announced the existence of the station, its frequency and time of broadcast.
651-Government makes it easier to acquire land
The government announced amendments to the Land Acquisition Act closing several loopholes through which commercial farmers based legal challenges to compulsory acquisition of their land.
652-Muzenda wanted Zvinavashe to replace him- Wikileaks
Vice-President Simon Muzenda, one of President Robert Mugabe’s most loyal cadres, is reported to have told Mugabe at his deathbed that he wanted then defence forces chief Vitalis Zvinavashe to succeed him as Member of Parliament for Gutu North and as vice-President.
653-Mugabe singles out Jonathan Moyo for praise at conference
President Robert Mugabe singled out Information Minister Jonathan Moyo for praise while criticising those within the party who strayed from strict party discipline.
654-US embassy expected MDC to win 30 seats in 2000
The United States embassy in Harare expected the Movement for Democratic Change to win at least 30 seats in the June 2000 elections despite the fact that it had defeated the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front in the constitutional referendum in February of the same year.
655-Mugabe is like a father who has betrayed his children - MP
President Robert Mugabe was like a father who had betrayed his children and was no longer worthy to be a father. This was the view of newly elected Movement for Democratic Change legislator for Nyanga, Evelyn Masaiti when she joined parliament in 2000.
656-Government trying to throttle of MDC
In a move that appeared to be aimed at crippling the Movement for Democratic Change, police and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation raided the offices of the MDC at Eastgate and seized documents and diskettes.
657-Tsvangirai gets caught up in excitement of the moment
Movement for Democratic Change president Morgan Tsvangirai told a rally to celebrate the party’s first anniversary that “Mugabe should go peacefully, if he does not, we will remove him violently” because he had been caught up “in the excitement of the moment”.
658-MDC prepares to impeach Mugabe
Movement for Democratic Change legislator for Harare Central Mike Auret told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that his party was planning to impeach President Robert Mugabe and had gathered overwhelming evidence to prove that he was behind the violence in the run-up to the 2000 elections.
659-MDC begins impeachment proceedings against Mugabe
The Movement for Democratic Change began its impeachment proceedings against President Robert Mugabe on 25 October 2000 but Mugabe immediately hit back saying the reconciliation policy with whites was in jeopardy and could be revoked.
660-MDC adrift
The Movement for Democratic Change came under fire for fumbling along without any sense of urgency or direction. Party secretary general Welshman Ncube rejected the criticism saying people were understandably frustrated because of the deteriorating economy and government sponsored lawlessness.
661-ZANUPF chef hires Chinotimba to evict white farmer
Former chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company and later deputy Minister of Information Bright Matonga is reported to have hired war veterans leader and self-styled commander of farm invasions Joseph Chinotimba to evict Vince and Monica Schultz from their horticultural farm though they had won the right to remain on the farm in the High Court.
662-Chinotimba causes havoc among tobacco farmers
War veterans leader and trade unionist Joseph Chinotimba had turned farm workers against their employers and most farmers, especially tobacco producers, were leaving because there was no hope of normalcy or business as usual returning to Zimbabwe.
663-Chinotimba on US sanctions list
War veterans leader, Joseph Chinotimba, who was accused of spearheading farm invasions that began in 2000, was included on the United States sanctions list but apparently unlike other entries there were no details about him.
664-Chinotimba in car accident
War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba was involved in a car accident in Harare in December 2008 and was reportedly in a private hospital, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
665-An analysis of trade unions in Zimbabwe by the United States embassy
The United States embassy in Harare which has always had a keen interest in the labour movement in Zimbabwe carried out a two-part analysis of the labour movement barely two months after the formation of the inclusive government.
666-Chinotimba, Zhuwao and Kasukuwere almost disrupt conference
President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao, Youth Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba almost disrupted the two-day all stakeholders conference organised by the inclusive government in July 2009 to map the way forward for the country.
667-Chinotimba sues minister for US$19 million for loss of business
War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba sued Movement for Democratic Change youth leader Tamsanqa Mahlangu, who was also deputy Minister of Youth, for “loss of business”. Mahlangu was arrested on 28 July 2009 for allegedly stealing Chinotimba’s cellphone.
668-MDC youth chairman trial begins
The trial of deputy Youth Minister Thamsanqa Mahlangu, who was also Movement for Democratic Change youth chairman, began in August and United States embassy officials said unlike recent prosecutions of MDC-T Members of Parliament “we’re told there may be substance to the charge”.
669-Mahlangu acquitted
Deputy Minister of Youth Thamsanqa Mahlangu who was accuse d of stealing war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba’s cellphone was acquitted of the charges.
670-Mangwana tells Chinotimba to shut up
The co-chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution Paul Mangwana berated war veterans and told their leader Joseph Chinotimba to “ shut up and stick to business” when war veterans tried to disrupt a training session of a thematic committee.
671-Chinotimba and Hunzvi in Bikita to bolster ZANU-PF
War veterans including their leaders Chenjerai Hunzvi and Joseph Chinotimba invaded Bikita to crank up the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front ahead of the Bikita West by-election. The seat was previously held by the Movement for Democratic Change.
672-War veterans on a rampage
War veterans went on a rampage country-wide and besieged the offices of The Daily News and confiscated copies of the paper from vendors and harassed striking civil servants.
673-Chinotimba evades security to get to Chief Justice
War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba evaded security at the Supreme Court to get to the lobby where he phoned Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay demanding the keys to his official Mercedes Benz before being removed from the building without incident.
674-Chinotimba disrupts May Day celebrations in style
War veterans leaders Joseph Chinotimba disrupted May Day celebrations at Rufaro Stadium in style when he arrived in a chauffeur-driven Limo with about 1 000 Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front youths following him in buses.
675-Hunzvi dies
War veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi died in hospital on 3 June 2001 but the announcement of his death was only made on State radio the following day.
676-Nyikayaramba raises eyebrows
Electoral Supervisory Committee deputy commissioner brigadier Douglas Nyikayaramba raised eyebrows when he said 23 local election observers, including nine from Joseph Chinotimba’s Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions, had been accredited for the 2002 presidential elections.
677-ZCTU’s Chibebe asked for US assistance to attend IOL conference
The secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Wellington Chibebe asked for assistance from the United States embassy in Harare to enable him to attend the International Labour Conference in 2002 and also for US assistance to mobilise support for the ZCTU’s official delegate status.
678-Chinotimba accuses US embassy officials of being terrorists
War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba who was the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic front candidate in the Highfield by-election accused United States embassy officials of being terrorists and said they had no right to be at the polling station in his constituency.
679-MDC candidate for Gutu says violence not as bad as reported in the press
The Movement for Democratic Change candidate for Gutu North in the 2004 by-election Casper Musoni told United States embassy officials that the violence in the constituency was not as bad as was being reported in the independent media.
680-The differing views of the ZCTU and the ZFTU
The country’s two major labour federations the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions did not only have different profiles, one closer to the Movement for Democratic Change and the other to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, but they even had different themes for the My Day celebrations in 2005.
681-Chinotimba calls Simba Makoni a traitor
Joseph Chinotimba, a war veterans leader who rose to fame by spearheading farm invasions in 2000, was the only notable exception from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to publicly criticise former Finance Minister Simba Makoni when he announced his candidacy for president to challenge ZANU-PF candidate Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the 2008 elections.
682-Chinotimba collecting “tax” from people of Buhera South
War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba who lost the Buhera South elections in March to Movement for Democratic Change candidate Naison Nemadziwa was reportedly collecting a "tax" of beef or cows from villagers in the area because they had "cheated him" so he needed to recoup what he lost in the election.
683-Chinotimba fails to derail stakeholders meeting
War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba failed to disrupt an all-stakeholders meeting to map the way forward for the country when police were called in to control the disturbance caused by ZANU-PF youths.
684-Biti complaints about ZANU-PF’s tactics
Movement for Democratic Change legislator Tendai Biti complained that it was morally wrong for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to use its unlawful majority to push bills that would restrict the activities of the opposition.
685-Tsvangirai and Biti described as Uncle Toms
Movement for Democratic Change leaders Morgan Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Sekai Holland were described as Uncle Toms who would be judged by history for the evil they had unleashed on the people of Zimbabwe because they had allegedly advocated for sanctions on Zimbabwe.
686-Biti did not believe MDC would win presidential election challenge in court
Movement for Democratic Change legislator, Tendai Biti, a lawyer who had won several court cases for the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions when MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was secretary general, told United States embassy officials that he did not expect the MDC to win any legal challenge to the 2002 presidential elections but this had to “be carried out in any case”.
687-Biti had no respect for Mbeki
Movement for Democratic Change shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Tendai Biti told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan that he did not think much of South African President Thabo Mbeki who was one of the mediators in the Zimbabwe crisis describing him as a “cold, calculating politician”.
688-Police harass MDC MPs
Police arrested four Members of Parliament belonging to the Movement for Democratic Change and 28 other MDC officials in three weeks at the beginning of 2003 as the government intensified its intimidation campaign against the opposition.
689-MDC plans to boycott ZANU-PF owned businesses
The Movement for Democratic Change was planning to boycott businesses owned by Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front officials including the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe which was headed by Gideon Gono at the time.
690-Tsvangirai arrested after organising successful stay-away
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested after organising a successful stay-away in which between 80 to 95 percent of the shops were closed.
691-War vets call Americans white animals
War veterans who stormed the five-star Meikles Hotel during the two-day stay-away organised by the Movement for Democratic Change yelled at an American citizen and his six colleagues: "White animals, don't you look at us; get out of Zimbabwe; we don't want you here."
692-MDC asked US embassy to arrange meeting with Bush in South Africa
Movement for Democratic Change presidential advisor Gandi Mudzingwa asked the United States embassy in Harare to arrange a meeting with United States President George Bush’s delegation “at whatever level” during his visit to South Africa which was scheduled for July 8 and 9, 2003.
693-US ambassador not impressed by MDC’s RESTART programme
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan was not impressed by the Movement for Democratic Change’s RESTART programme describing it as “broad in scope but short on specifics”.
694-Nigerian President leaves Zimbabwe empty handed
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo made a last minute bid to broker talks between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change just before the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting but he made very little progress.
695-Tsvangirai was confident MDC would win 2005 elections
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was so confident that his party would win the 2005 general elections that he ruled out entering into a government of national unity with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front saying that would be “political suicide”.
696-Chombo fires Mudzuri
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo fired Harare’s first publicly elected mayor Elias Mudzuri but did not give any reasons except that this was a result of an investigation into Mudzuri’s conduct as mayor and that the President had directed him to vacate his office and house within seven days.
697-Chombo appoints commission to run Harare
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo appointed an eight-member commission to run the City of Harare and though they were all from the private sector they all had government ties.
698-Chombo among top officials asked to surrender farms
In what appeared to be an effort to portray itself as a clean administration in the run-up to the 2005 general elections, the government said it was going to take back farms from senior government officials who had taken more than one farm under the fast-track land reform.
699-Lock-step loyalty key for appointment by Mugabe
Lock-step loyalty to President Robert Mugabe was the principal criterion for job security and advancement in the government of Zimbabwe, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
700-Chombo stops Murambatsvina
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo announced on 15 July 2005, that the government was halting Operation Restore Order (Murambatsvina) for 10 days to allow low-density suburb residents time to legalise any structures that did not conform to their land’s official plans.
701-Tsvangirai walks to work
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai walked to work for at least two weeks during the fuel crisis in 2005 to show his solidarity with the suffering people. He had been unable to secure fuel for a month and had resorted to asking for fuel from friends and party supporters.
702-Biti asks: Why should Tsvangirai be held to a higher standard?
Tendai Biti, who was the Movement for Democratic Change’s Shadow Minister for Economics, told United States embassy officials that though he had always been critical of party leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s acting outside the constitution, he came to recognise that everybody, especially secretary general Welshman Ncube, was ignoring the party constitution willy-nilly. He, therefore, asked why should Tsvangirai be held to a higher standard?
703-Tsvangirai says Bennett needs strategic vision
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Roy Bennett, who had just been elected chairman of Manicaland, had admirable energy but needed to take a more strategic vision. He was discussing the pending MDC congress, soon after the split, with United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell.
704-Divorce-MDC Style
Movement for Democratic Change legislator Tendai Biti told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that he hammered out an amicable divorce with former secretary-general Welshman Ncube when they met in court and the judge failed to show up.
705-Coltart says MDC split causing fissures in ZANU-PF
Movement for Democratic Change legislator David Coltart said the breakup of the MDC was fuelling strains in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front because with the threat from the MDC reduced there was less reason for ZANU-PF insiders to bury their differences.
706-US ambassador says Chimanikire in uninspiring and not well-regarded
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell described former Movement for Democratic Change deputy secretary Gift Chimanikire as uninspiring and not well-regarded. Dell was comparing Chimanikire to Arthur Mutambara when the two announced their candidacy for the presidency of the splinter faction of the MDC which was de facto led by former secretary general Welshman Ncube.
707-Mutambara says Tsvangirai has become a “little Mugabe”
The leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Arthur Mutambara said although founding MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai deserved a place of honour in the fight for democracy, he had become a “little Mugabe”.
708-Tsvangirai wins, says there is no room for dictators
Morgan Tsvangirai won the presidency of the anti-senate Movement for Democratic Change and vowed to complete the liberation struggle that Robert Mugabe had hijacked from the people to justify his rule for life. The MDC leader said there was no room for life presidents in a new Zimbabwe and he would step down as MDC president after Zimbabweans had liberated themselves from the current dictatorship.
709-Reenergised MDC ready to confront Mugabe
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that he was going to address nationwide rallies to maintain momentum, especially outside the capital, adding that President Robert Mugabe’s weakening security forces would be stretched by such tactics.
710-Clean up continues despite Chombo’s promise
Demolitions of structures, including an industrial complex in Harare, continued under Operation Restore Order despite an undertaking by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo that the operation would be halted for at least 10 days to allow owners to regularise their plans.
711-Chombo fires Mutare mayor
Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo on 22 July fired Mutare mayor Misheck Kagurabadza for allegedly misusing public funds, but the mayor said he had been fired for showing United Nations special envoy Anna Tibaijuka the living conditions of people in Sakubva after Operation Murambatsvina which had displaced thousands of people.
712-Mugabe has a shouting match with UN envoy
President Robert Mugabe had a 20-minute shouting match with the United Nations under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief coordinator Jan Egeland over Operation Murambatsvina but in his public remarks Egeland was relatively upbeat about his meeting with Mugabe and claimed good relations between Zimbabwe and the UN.
713-Chombo boots out three of the four elected MDC mayors
All 19 Movement for Democratic Change councillors in Mutare resigned on 4 January 2006, paving way for Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo to appoint an acting council of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front loyalists to run the city.
714-US embassy gropes for information on people targeted for sanctions
The United States embassy in Harare was groping everywhere for information on individuals that it wanted to be targeted for sanctions because it could not obtain that information officially from the registrar’s office.
715-Britain refuses to give US information on people targeted for sanctions
The British government refused to give the United States information on people that the US wanted to target for sanctions saying British law prohibited it from doing so. The US embassy in Harare was banking on cooperation from the United Kingdom embassy because it had the greatest potential to provide biographical information on the individuals because of the large number of Zimbabweans living in the UK, those attending school there and the frequent travel of Zimbabweans to the UK.
716-Mugabe cronies busting US sanctions through safari operations
A dozen lieutenants of President Robert Mugabe were busting United States sanctions through safari operations which generated $17.5 million in 2004 despite a 50 percent decline in tourism.
717-White farmers seek US$20 billion compensation to end land dispute
The Commercial Farmers Union was prepared to accept a US$20 billion compensation package to end the land dispute in Zimbabwe which had rocked the country for more than a decade but Agriculture Minister Joseph Made felt that US$1.5 billion was more than enough.
718-Biti says Mnangagwa and Mujuru were courting Tsvangirai
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti told United States embassy officials that Emmerson Mnangagwa and Solomon Mujuru were each courting Morgan Tsvangirai with Mnangagwa even prepared to subordinate himself to Tsvangirai.
719-Commission says MDC has been infiltrated by CIO
An independent commission established by the anti-Senate faction of the Movement for Democratic Change to look into the assault of pro-Senate member Trudy Stevenson said the attack had probably been carried out by members of the Central Intelligence Organisation as both factions had been infiltrated by the CIO.
720-MDC suspends troublesome MP
The Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change on 15 October 2006 suspended the member of Parliament for Mabvuku, Timothy Mubawu in connection with the attack on the pro-senate faction member Trudy Stevenson as well as his sexist remarks in Parliament.
721-Reunification of the MDC on the cards but……
Leaders of the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, were agreed that reunification of the party was the only way forward but they were facing stiff resistance from hardliners within their factions.
722-Makoni defends land reform
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni defended Zimbabwe’s land reform programme and said donors should “forget about how or why we got where we are”.
723-Goche lists organisations seeking regime change
Three government ministers turned up the heat on organisations which they accused of trying to unseat the government. State Security Minister Nicholas Goche said a human rights organisation Amani Trust and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the Zimbabwe Democracy Trust and the Southern Africa Media Development Fund, were engaged in activities intended to unseat the government.
724-Goche orders CARE to suspend operations
State Security Minister Nicholas Goche ordered a non-governmental organisation CARE to suspend its operations accusing its staff of meddling in political activities in the run-up to the presidential elections run-off in 2008.
725-Goche suspends operations of all NGOs
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche on 4 June suspended all field operations of non-governmental organisations until further notice claiming that a number were in breach of the terms and conditions of their registration.
726-Goche and Chinamasa in MDC talks
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front represented by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Public Service Minister Nicholas Goche began talks with the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change but MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai insisted that negotiations between the two parties would not resume until certain conditions had been met.
727-Government lifts ban on operations of NGOs
The government on 29 August lifted a two-month ban on the operations of non–governmental organisations which it had accused of dabbling in politics.
728-Goche in new inclusive government
Nicholas Goche was among the 39 names to be included in the new inclusive government and a cable by the United States embassy said Mugabe was set to reappoint many of the members of his old cabinet which he had said a year earlier was "the worst one he has ever had".
729-Police crackdown on opposition rallies
Police violently broke up rallies of the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change in Harare and Bulawayo in defiance of a High Court order.
730-Police brutally disrupt prayer meeting
Police on 11 March 2007 brutally suppressed a prayer rally organised by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign and arrested more than 100, including Movement for Democratic Change president Morgan Tsvangirai.
731-Mutambara says opposition is united to drive out Mugabe
The leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Arthur Mutambara said the opposition was united to drive out President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
732-Zimbabwe talks kick off
Talks between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change began in Pretoria on 17 June 2007 with the two sides agreeing on a five point agenda for future negotiations.
733-Government introduces indigenisation bill
The government on 22 June 2007 gazetted the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment bill which seeks to secure at least 51 percent of the shares in every public company for indigenous Zimbabweans.
734-ZANU-PF fails to turn up for talks
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front negotiating team of Nicholas Goche and Patrick Chinamasa failed to turn up for the South African brokered talks with the Movement for Democratic Change in Pretoria on 7 July 2007.
735-Biti says Mufamadi hit the roof after reviewing ZANU-PF paper on talks
The secretary general of the Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Tendai Biti told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that South African mediation team leader Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi “hit through the roof” after reviewing the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s position paper on negotiations with the MDC.
736-Jonathan Moyo shutters Daily News again
The Administrative Court once again allowed the Daily News, banned on 23 September, to resume publication but riot police prevented the paper from publishing. Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said the judge’s opinion was “blatantly political” and justified the police action saying the police implemented the law that the courts were only empowered to interpret.
737-Government was desperate ahead of 2005 elections
The government was so desperate at the beginning of 2004 that it asked the United Nations for assistance to organise the 2005 parliamentary elections. According to a cable released by Wikileaks key government officials including Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and the Movement for Democratic Change even agreed to have the elections supervised by the UN.
738-US ambassador says ZANU-PF is suspicious of US motives
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said most of the members of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were suspicious of the US government motives and kept their distance from the Americans out of concern for “political correctness” in their “insecure liberation party”.
739-Studio 7 stringers fired
Several journalists suspected to be Voice of America’s Studio 7 stringers were fired by the state media as well as by the private media which were reportedly under pressure from Information Minister Jonathan Moyo. The Herald fired sports editor Robson Sharuko, and journalists Tendai Ndemera and Rex Mphisa. The Chronicle fired Sithandekile Mhlanga and the Financial Gazette Godfrey Maravanyika.
740-Makoni says Mugabe is not interested in accommodating MDC but crushing it
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan that President Robert Mugabe was not interested in accommodating the Movement for Democratic Change but in crushing it.
741-Goche has diplomatic flu
Deputy Foreign Minister Nicholas Goche was called away on 4th of July 2000 to deal with a group of unruly war veterans in Bindura, an area he did not represent, prompting the United States embassy in Harare to conclude that this was the Zimbabwean equivalent of “diplomatic flu”.
742-Goche says MDC could have put up a frog and people would have voted for it
Deputy Foreign Minister Nicholas Goche said rural people had voted for land while those in urban areas had voted for jobs in the 2000 parliamentary elections which the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front almost lost winning only 62 seats against the Movement for Democratic Change’s 57.
743-Mugabe off to meet Kabila
President Robert Mugabe left for Lubumbashi on 12 July 2000 to meet Democratic Republic of Congo President Laurent Kabila to urge him to keep the peace talks on track.
744-Goche back to his roots as spymaster
Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs was reported by the United States embassy in Harare to be returning to his roots in intelligence when he was appointed Minister of State Security in July 2000.
745-Goche tells US ambassador MDC is a violent party
State Security Minister Nicholas Goche told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that the Movement for Democratic Change was a violent party that imported weapons and had nefarious plans against the government.
746-US ambassador warns MDC not to speak of violent actions
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald told Movement for Democratic Change chairman Isaac Matongo and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s political advisor Gandi Mudzingwa that the party should not speak about violent actions, even obliquely, because this could lead to a crackdown on the party by the government.
747-Ncube says pressure from West working but Mugabe prefers African solution
The secretary-general of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Welshman Ncube told United States embassy officials that pressure on President Robert Mugabe from the United States and the European Union was working but Mugabe preferred that any solution for the Zimbabwe crisis should come from Africa so that he could say he had stood up to the West and Africans had helped him to solve Zimbabwe’s problems.
748-Biti told US officials MDC had no chance in the 2008 elections
The secretary-general of the Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change, Tendai Biti, who was regarded as Tsvangirai’s de facto number two, told United States embassy officials that his party had no chance of winning the 2008 elections because it did not have any money to campaign.
749-Bennett planned to retire if MDC did not win 2008 elections
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett planned to retire from politics if the Morgan Tsvangirai faction did not win the 2008 elections. He told United States embassy officials in Pretoria that it was difficult to raise funds for the party and he was frustrated by the quality of people in the MDC.
750-Biti urges more sanctions, Ncube disagrees
The two Movement for Democratic Change negotiators, Tendai Biti for the Morgan Tsvangirai faction and Welshman Ncube for the Arthur Mutambara faction, disagreed on sanctions on the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front with Biti urging more pressure while Ncube encouraged an easing of the sanctions.
751-Chronology of Zimbabwe talks April to October 2007
Although South Africa was appointed facilitator for the Zimbabwe talks at the Southern African Development Community meeting in Dar es Salaam on 29 March 2007, it did not publicly announce the meetings of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change. But here is how the talks progressed.
752-Mugabe has to indicate by “body language” he wants change- Biti
Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube said negotiations with the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front were going on well on paper but a “paradigm shift” by President Robert Mugabe was critical to the success of the negotiations and Mugabe had to indicate by his “body language” that he wanted change.
753-Bennett says US funded Mbeki campaign against Zuma
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett told United States embassy officials that South African Communist Party leader Blade Nzimande had told MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai that the United States government had funded South African President Thabo Mbeki’s African National Congress re-election campaign because Washington did not want Jacob Zuma to become South African president.
754-Government bans MDC march
The government banned a march that was planned by the Movement for Democratic Change to protest against the government’s refusal to implement a new constitution before the 2008 elections and to postpone the election date from March.
755-Biti says Mbeki is full of b... s...
Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti told United States embassy officials that South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was the facilitator of the Zimbabwe talks, was “full of b.s” after the South African leader had suggested that the leaders of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, should meet President Robert Mugabe directly to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis.
756-MDC factions agreed to field Tsvangirai as president
The two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change agreed on 19-20 January 2008 to form an electoral pact and to support Morgan Tsvangirai as their joint presidential candidate. The two agreed to this after two-day talks that were funded by the Institute for Democracy in Africa chaired by activist Brian Raftopolous.
757-Talks dead, MDC in a quandary
Movement for Democratic Change Mutambara faction secretary general Welshman Ncube said on 29 January 2008 the Southern African Development Community sponsored talks between the MDC and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front were dead.
758-MDC reunification collapses
The reunification of the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change that had been brokered by the two secretary generals, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube, collapsed over the issue of allocation of constituencies in Bulawayo.
759-US funded parallel vote count in 2008 elections
The United States through its Agency for International Development funded the parallel vote counting by the Zimbabwe Election Supervisory Network in the 2008 elections, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
760-MDC confident of victory
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general for the Tsvangirai faction, Tendai Biti said his party had won 96 of the 128 seats it had so far received results for and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai had 60 percent of the vote in the presidential race with Mugabe trailing behind with 30 percent and Simba Makoni 10 percent.
761-Tsvangirai vacillates on results
The leader of the Movement for Democratic Change Morgan Tsvangirai told a press conference on 1 April 2008, three days after the polls , that he had received enough votes to avoid a runoff but avoided stating that he had won the elections.
762-MDC says Tsvangirai won presidential poll
The Movement for Democratic Change announced on 2 April that its leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won the presidential elections with 50.3 percent of the vote. It said President Robert Mugabe had received 43.8 percent of the vote.
763-Observers concerned about delay in releasing results
Although the Southern African Development Community and the Pan African Parliament observer missions said the 29 March elections had been credible they were disturbed by the delay in releasing the results as this was part of the election process.
764-Tsvangirai says he won but ready for runoff
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he had won the 29 March elections outright but he was prepared for a runoff provided it was held 21 days after the announcement of the results.
765-MDC rejects recount, warns of violence
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti denounced reports that the party was considering a government of national unity or a vice-presidential spot for party leader Morgan Tsvangirai and warned that there could be an outbreak of violence.
766-Biti says MDC will not take part in runoff
Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti told a press conference in South Africa that his party would not participate in a runoff because its leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won the presidential contest outright but most people believed that the party was once again posturing.
767-Zambian Foreign Minister says there is no crisis at all in Zimbabwe
Zambia’s Foreign Minister Kabinge Pande told a press conference soon after the Southern African Development Community summit that the situation in Zimbabwe was “not a crisis at all” and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who had won the 29 March elections but had been denied his victory should be pleased with the outcome "because we've taken care of all his concerns".
768-MDC parallel voting centre useless
The Movement for Democratic Change parallel voting centre which was set up to counter vote-rigging by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front in the 29 March elections did not have the intended impact because the party waited too late to get it going.
769-Biti says Mbeki is now part of the Zimbabwe problem
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti told diplomats in the Ghanaian capital Accra that Southern African Development Community mediator and South African President Thabo Mbeki had become part of the Zimbabwe problem because of his unwillingness to push Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
770-Mwanawasa accused Mbeki of being insincere about Zimbabwe
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa who was chair of the Southern African Development Community at the time of Zimbabwe’s disputed 2008 elections said the SADC mediator, South African President Thabo Mbeki, was counterproductive and insincere.
771-ZANUPF rampage continues
War veterans and Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front youths were on the rampage countrywide especially in the former ZANU-PF controlled provinces beating up suspected Movement for Democratic Change supporters and forcing them to attend ZANU-PF rallies.
772-ZANU-PF had three options after its 2008 defeat
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had three options after its 29 March 2008 election defeat, according to a cable released by Wikileaks. First, it could declare that President Robert Mugabe had won the election and declare a state f emergency if necessary but this would have required an obvious falsification of results.
773-SADC pushes for government of national unity
The Southern African Development Community was pushing for a government of national unity as a solution to Zimbabwe’s political crisis because it felt that a presidential election runoff would not end the impasse.
774-Biti says MDC is ready for GNH but without Mugabe
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti said his party was ready for a government of national healing which included the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front as long as the “destabilising” Mugabe was not included.
775-Ncube says unity talks are on
The secretary general of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Welshman Ncube said the Tsvangirai faction and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were holding talks to form a government of national unity.
776-ZANUPF crackdown on opposition continues
The government crackdown on the opposition which was meant to assure victory for President Robert Mugabe in the 27 June presidential elections runoff continued unabated.
777-US warns Mugabe’s safety cannot be guaranteed if violence continues
United States assistant secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer told Mozambican President Armando Guebuza that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s safety could not be guaranteed if he continued to use violence against the opposition.
778-SADC says climate not right for credible runoff
Zimbabwe was not likely to have credible presidential elections in the runoff planned for 27 June 2008, the director of the Southern African Development Community organ on politics, defence and security affairs, Tanki Mothae, said seven days before the poll.
779-Biti in court for treason
Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai faction secretary general Tendai Biti, who was arrested on his return from South Africa on 12 June, appeared in court twice charged with treason, publishing documents prejudicial to the State, causing disaffection within the police, and insulting the President.
780-US piles pressure on UN security council
United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice piled pressure on the United Nations Security Council to intervene in Zimbabwe before the 27 June presidential elections runoff arguing that conditions were not right and the situation was getting worse because of escalating violence.
781-Biti ill-treated in jail
Lawyers for Tendai Biti secretary general of the Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change lodged 11 complaints against the State for his ill-treatment in jail since his arrest on 12 June.
782-Tsvangirai comes out of hiding
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai scolded the mediafor sensationalising his going into hiding at the Dutch embassy rather than focusing on the continuing brutalisation of Zimbabweans at the hands of the government-sanctioned ZANU-PF youth and war veterans.
783-Mnangagwa denies new clashes in DRC
Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa denied that Zimbabwean troops were involved in any new clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Tom McDonald, did not believe him.
784-Goche says he does not know who is calling the shots in DRC
The Minister of State Security Nicholas Goche told United States embassy officials that he did not know who was calling the shots in the Democratic Republic of Congo but he believed it was the Congolese people.
785-Mugabe says if the British won’t honour their obligations, we won’t either
When President Robert Mugabe heard that British Minister Clare Short had said that the labour government was not interested in colonial matters and would not honour obligations undertaken by the previous government, including land reform, he said: "If they won't honour their obligations, we won't either".
786-Simba Makoni says we will not play chase after Johnny
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni told banks, bureaus de change and leading exporters that a policy to devalue the Zimbabwe dollar had been agreed but this time everyone involved must stick and play together and not allow the parallel or black market to get too far away from the official rate.
787-CIO boss admits destroying vouchers in Tsvangirai case
Central Intelligence Organisation boss Happyton Bonyongwe admitted that his organisation had destroyed vouchers which proved that the organisation had paid Canadian Ari Ben Menashe who had implicated Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in a plot to assassinate President Robert Mugabe.
788-Judge says CIO boss must answer questions about payment vouchers
Justice Paddington Garwe ruled that the certificate issued by Nicholas Goche, Minister of State Security, claiming that information on the operations of the Central Intelligence Organization was privileged, was valid but the certificate did not exempt CIO boss Happyton Bonyongwe from answering questions on his role in the destruction of the payment vouchers.
789-ZANU-PF becomes anti-democratic after formation of MDC
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had become anti-democratic after the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change reversing the internal democratic processes it had started.
790-MDC on hectic travel
The Movement for Democratic Change had a hectic travel ahead of the 2005 elections which covered Southern, North and East Africa as well as Europe and the United States.
791-MDC tried to lure expelled ZANU-PF politicians ahead of 2005 elections
The Movement for Democratic Change tried to lure Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politicians purged at the 2004 Tsholotsho debacle which saw six provincial leaders suspended from the party for attending the meeting at which they allegedly planned to stage a smart coup against Joice Mujuru, John Nkomo and Joseph Msika.
792-Figures don’t add up
Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that Zimbabwe was expecting a harvest of 800 000 tonnes of maize but needed to import 1.2 million tonnes because farmers tended to keep most of their harvest in times of drought.
793-Zvoma forced to terminate US support to parliament
Clerk of Parliament Austin Zvoma was forced to terminate the United States government funded support to Zimbabwe’s parliament which was being channelled through the State University of New York.
794-Mandaza says the MDC is fractured, weak and irrelevant
Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza who was linked to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front said the Movement for Democratic Change was fractured, weak and irrelevant so he did not think talks with ZANU-PF would go anywhere.
795-Gono gives copy of letter to Mugabe to US ambassador
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono gave a copy of a letter he had written to President Robert Mugabe recommending that the president ensures free and fair elections and open up the electoral process to international observers including the United States and Britain to United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee.
796-Poultry producer uses political patronage to survive
Poultry Producer Irvine’s Day Old Chicks used political patronage to survive using Labour Minister Nicholas Goche to evade price controls and central bank governor Gideon Gono to retain 90 percent of its export earnings.
797-Goche refused US offer for a Mugabe exit package
Labour Minister and close Mugabe confidante Nicholas Goche refused a Mugabe exit package that was offered by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee, 19 days before the 2008 elections.
798-US ambassador says John Nkomo is too timid to assert himself
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front chairman and Lands Minister John Nkomo was too timid to assert himself and was leaving hardliners, Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Agriculture Minister Joseph Made, to run the land reform programme, United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said.
799-Who is paying for Mugabe’s Borrowdale home?
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was paying for President Robert Mugabe’s 25-room mansion in Borrowdale Brook.
800-Fears as government announces intent to nationalise land
There were fears that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front wanted to increase its political patronage when The Herald reported that the government intended to abolish title deeds and replace them with 99-year leases with wildlife and game conservancies being limited to 25-year leases.
801-Government living in fantasyland
The United States embassy accused the government of manipulating figures when the Zimbabwe Central Statistics Office reported that exports rose in 2003 to hit Z$2.3 trillion, or over 20 times the 2002 figure of Z$110.7 billion because this fantastic growth was not adjusted for hyperinflation.
802-Gono says Jonathan Moyo has become a liability
Central Bank governor Gideon Gono told United States embassy officials that Information Minister Jonathan Moyo had become a liability to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front than an asset and was now in trouble for his attacks on party elders.
803-Nkomo and Jonathan Moyo spar over multiple farm ownership
Lands Minister and Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front chairman John Nkomo renewed his effort to locate and take away properties from ZANU-PF and government heavyweights who were defying the one-family one farm stated policy.
804-Mnangagwa says MDC has a habit of changing its mind at 11th hour
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, who at the time was Speaker of Parliament, said although the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change were having amicable discussion on constitutional reform, the MDC had a history of agreeing on issues until the 11th hour, when they would hold things up with additional demands.
805-Biti released from jail
The secretary general of the Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Tendai Biti was released from jail on 26 June, a day before the presidential elections runoff. He was released, on bail, together with another MDC legislator Eric Matinenga.
806-Operation Red Finger
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front was reported to have launched “Operation Red Finger” to force people to go and vote in the presidential elections runoff of 27 June 2008 from which the Movement for Democratic Change had pulled out because of violence.
807-Why Mugabe went ahead with the presidential elections runoff in 2008
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front went ahead with the presidential elections runoff despite the pulling out of the Movement for Democratic Change because it wanted to negotiate with the MDC from a position of strength.
808-Biti was opposed to any government that included Mugabe
Movement for Democratic Change secretary Tendai Biti was opposed to any government that included President Robert Mugabe and urged the United States to make it clear that it would not deal with such a government.
809-Tsvangirai was aware after June 2008 that he could not lead new government
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was aware after the presidential election runoff which he pulled out of that he could not lead any new government.
810-US pushed for military intervention in Zimbabwe
The United States piled pressure for military intervention in Zimbabwe, one week after the African Union had failed to condemn the election of President Robert Mugabe, arguing that the reasons that were being put forward by two key members, Russia and China, were invalid.
811-US asked if MDC was going to be swallowed by ZANU-PF like ZAPU
When the three key political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change signed a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for negotiations before South African President Thabo Mbeki it appears the United States embassy’s greatest fear was that the MDC might be swallowed by ZANU-PF like it had done to the Zimbabwe African people’s Union, 20 years earlier.
812-MDC advisor says the party will fall apart as soon as Mugabe goes
The International Republican Institute country director for Zimbabwe Djordje Todorovic said the Movement for Democratic Change was a movement and not a political party and was likely to fall apart as soon as President Robert Mugabe was gone.
813-Tsvangirai, Biti barred from travelling to SADC summit
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, party secretary Tendai Biti and shadow Foreign Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro were barred from leaving Zimbabwe to attend the Southern African Development Community summit by immigration officials at Harare airport.
814-Biti was adamant talks would go nowhere two weeks before signing of GPA
Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti was adamant that there were no talks between the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front and the two factions of the MDC, two weeks before the signing of the Global Political Agreement which ushered in the inclusive government leaving one to wonder whether he was telling United States embassy officials the actual situation on the ground or what they wanted to hear.
815-Kutama spared from food ban because of Mugabe’s son
Kutama, the school next to President Robert Mugabe’s rural home and where he went to school, was spared from the food ban on non-governmental organisations because his son was also going to school there.
816-Biti to raise food aid issue in parliament
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti was planning to raise the issue of the government’s ban on food distribution by non-governmental organisations in Parliament.
817-Tsvangirai upbeat about signing of GPA
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador James McGhee, two days after the signing of the Global Political Agreement, that President Robert Mugabe was committed to making the inclusive government a success but needed to “deal with his people”.
818-Biti says anything Mugabe touches is poisoned
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti was sceptical about the Global Political Agreement that his party signed with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front on 15 September 2008 because anything Mugabe touched was poisoned.
819-Mugabe, Mutambara biggest winners in GPA
President Robert Mugabe and the leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change Arthur Mutambara were the biggest winners in the Global Political Agreement signed on 15 September 2008.
820-Biti says “Tsvangirai’s idiocy is shocking”
Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti said party leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s idiocy was shocking as he had caved in to President Robert Mugabe and had surrendered all the key ministries to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
821-Lawyer says Tsvangirai signed GPA without MDC national council approval
One of the Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s lawyers Innocent Chagonda said Tsvangirai signed the Global Political Agreement with President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the smaller faction of the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara without the approval of the party’s national council.
822-Biti says ZANU-PF refusing to give in on ministries
President Robert Mugabe and his negotiators Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche were refusing to concede any ground on the four key ministries that the parties were haggling over, according to Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti.
823-Mugabe and Tsvangirai in a quandary over ministerial posts
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front president Robert Mugabe and his Movement for Democratic Change counterpart Morgan Tsvangirai were in a quandary over the distribution of ministerial posts following the 15 September inclusive government deal.
824-Parliament tied by delay in reaching agreement
Zimbabwe’s Parliament could not function properly until an agreement was reached on the allocation of ministries by the two key parties, the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front.
825-Biti says GPA is doomed to fail
Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti said the Global Political Agreement was dead, just a month after its signing, adding that the only question was when to pronounce it dead.
826-SADC Troika fails to break deadlock
The Southern African Development Community’s troika on politics, defence and security, failed to break the deadlock over the allocation of ministries between the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change.
827-US ambassador says there is bad blood between Biti and Ncube
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee said there was so much bad blood between the two secretaries of the Movement for Democratic Change Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube that they presented their positions as contradictory even when both were saying the same thing.
828-Biti still facing treason charges
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti, who had become one of the key obstacles to the implementation of the Global Political Agreement, had charges of insulting the president and causing disaffection to the armed forces dropped against him but he still faced charges of treason.
829-Biti says MDC now paying lip service to dialogue
With almost three months gone since the signing of the Global Political Agreement but the allocation of ministries still unresolved, Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti told United States embassy officials that the party was now paying lip service to dialogue. Its real goal was internationally supervised elections.
830-MDC says it was not involved in Shiri assassination attempt
The Movement for Democratic Change said it was not involved in the assassination attempt of Air Force chief Perrence Shiri adding that as a party it condemned the use of violence in any form.
831-Biti says he doesn’t know what Motlanthe is talking about
South African President Kgalema Motlanthe told a press conference on 17 December 2008, three months after the signing of the Global Political Agreement, that he hoped an inclusive government would be in place that week but Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti said he did not know what Motlanthe was talking about.
832-MDC lawyer says Mugabe will rule until he is the last man alive in Harare
A lawyer for the Movement for Democratic Change Innocent Chagonda said the party had decided to enter into an inclusive government with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front because it had now realised that President Robert Mugabe would find ways of maintaining power and would rule until he was “the last man alive in Harare”.
833-US wanted Mugabe out, Mujuru in in inclusive government
The United States wanted South Africa to put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to resign and to be replaced by his deputy Joice Mujuru to form a power-sharing government with the Movement for Democratic Change, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
834-Biti says Mugabe and ZANU-PF are stupid not to compromise
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti said President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were stupid not to offer any compromises to solve the Zimbabwean crisis.
835-Biti sues Herald for US$500 000
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Tendai Biti filed a US$500 000 defamation suit against The Herald for claiming that he was plotting to oust Morgan Tsvangirai as party president.
836-Britain considers putting prosecutor on sanctions list
Britain was considering adding state prosecutor Florence Ziyambi on the European Union sanctions list because she appeared to be the favourite for prosecuting high profile political cases.
837-Biti gets the worst job in the world
Tendai Biti, who had been fighting against the formation of inclusive government since the signing of the Global Political Agreement on 15 September 2008, was named the country’s Minister of Finance and described his job as the worst in the world.
838-Donors set conditions to bail out Tsvangirai and Biti
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Minister of Finance Tendai Biti met with Multi Donor Trust Fund representatives on 16 February to discuss the dire economic situation and the necessary steps to resuscitate the economy.
839-Biti says the government is broke
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee that the government was broke. It was spending about US$100 million a month but was only earning US$11 million a month.
840-Biti drops levies and charges
Finance Minister Tendai Biti dropped onerous levies and charges introduced by central bank governor Gideon Gono in his January 2009 monetary policy statement.
841-Gono tipped to become Finance Minister way back in 2000
The rumour mill had it way back in 2000 that Gideon Gono, then the managing director of the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, was top of the list to take over as Minister of Finance from Herbert Murerwa after the June 2000 elections which saw the emergence of the Movement for Democratic Change.
842-Gono says he turned down a cabinet job
Gideon Gono, who at the time was the managing director of the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, said President Robert Mugabe sounded him out for a cabinet appointment but he turned it down.
843-Gono takes over Financial Gazette
Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe managing director Gideon Gono was rumoured to have taken over the Financial Gazette, one of the most respected papers in the country.
844-Gono calls for granting of title deeds to new farmers
Jewel Bank chief executive Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan that contradictions in Zimbabwe’s economy could lead to a meltdown in six months.
845-How Zimbabwe was surviving the economic meltdown
Zimbabwe’s economy had plummeted by as much as 40 percent by mid-2003 but the economy was being sustained by remittances from Zimbabweans abroad as well as assistance from Libya and South Africa.
846-Gono appointed central bank governor
The managing director of the Jewel Bank Gideon Gono has been appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe which has been without a leader since April 2003 when Leonard Tsumba was eased out, three months before the end of his term.
847-Murerwa leaves everything to Gono
Finance Minister Hebert Murerwa presented a 2004 budget that was more remarkable for what it omitted than what it included, leaving everything to new central bank governor Gideon Gono.
848-Gono becomes central banker, Finance, and Trade minister melded in one
New central bank governor Gideon Gono was to become central banker, Finance, and Trade minister melded in one after Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa surrendered all the power to him, according to United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan.
849-Everyone waits for Gono
After Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa's vacuous 2004 budget speech, everyone was now waiting for the government’s new point man, central bank governor Gideon Gono to map the way forward for the country.
850-US embassy says Gono’s bank is a key parallel market player
The United States embassy said while the government was cracking down on parallel market trading, central bank governor Gideon Gono’s Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe continued “to be one of the most brazen parallel market players”.
851-Gono shows his clout
Central bank governor Gideon Gono showed his new financial clout by announcing new measures for exporters which would only allow them to exchange only 25 percent of their earnings at the official rate, down from half, and announced that insolvent banks would be left to collapse.
852-US embassy says Tsvangirai is too optimistic
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was upbeat about 2004 asserting that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front would be more attentive to international opinion as it fought for economic survival rather than concentrate on attaining a two-thirds majority in parliament.
853-Gono rattles feathers
Central bank governor Gideon Gono said his new policies had unleashed a "shrill" cacophony of covert memos and emissaries to President Robert Mugabe with one high ranking Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front senior official travelling all the way to Malaysia where Mugabe was holidaying to complain about his policy.
854-Good start for currency auctions
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s currency auction got off to a good start with the Zimbabwe dollar going for an average Z$4 200 to the greenback and the central bank only selling one-tenth of the US$5 million it had on offer.
855-Stronger Zimdollar slows inflation
A stronger Zimbabwe dollar following the introduction of foreign currency auctions by the central bank slowed down year-on-year inflation from 620 to 599 percent.
856-Industry complains about auction rate
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries said the central bank should accept no rate lower than Z$5 800 to the greenback at its auctions or relinquish its right to purchase 25 percent of export earnings at the official Z$824.
857-CZI calls for tripartite negotiations
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Anthony Mandiwanza called for the reopening of tripartite negotiations involving the government, business and labour saying the environment had never been more positive.
858-Mugabe expected to retire before 2009
President Robert Mugabe expected to retire as head of state by 2009 though he said he would remain in politics. He said this in an interview with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on his 80th birthday.
859-Miners being squeezed out
Zimbabwe’s top miners complained that they were being squeezed out and were not benefitting at all from central bank governor Gideon Gono’s new measures for exporters.
860-Mugabe kept in the dark to get things moving
President Robert Mugabe had to be kept in the dark with changes that his lieutenants wanted to implement to improve the economy being characterised in misleading, Orwellian terminology, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
861-IMF says auction system is not sustainable
The International Monetary Fund said Zimbabwe’s foreign currency auction system was not sustainable because the central bank did not have enough money to meet demand.
862-Kuruneri overshadowed by Gono
Zimbabwe’s new Finance Minister Christopher Kuruneri was more outspoken than his predecessor Herbert Murerwa according to United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan but he was overshadowed by the flamboyant central bank governor Gideon Gono.
863-Gono disappoints exporters but….
Central bank governor Gideon Gono did not devalue the Zimdollar to boost exports as had been anticipated but even the United States embassy admitted that he had made tremendous strides in the five months that he had been at the helm of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
864-Gono’s juggling act
Central bank governor Gideon Gono adjusted the diaspora and exporters’ exchange rate by 10 percent to Z$5 200 to the greenback but after two auctions the auction rate averaged Z$5 272 leaving the incentive for people in the diaspora and exporters in the dust.
865-Gono says he is prepared to interfere in any sector
Central bank governor Gideon Gono said he was prepared to interfere in any sector for the sake of Zimbabwe's economic health.
866-Can black and white farmers join forces?
That was the question United States embassy officials asked eight years ago. It can still be asked today. The question was raised after reports that the Commercial Farmers Union which represented white farmers who were being driven off the land and the Indigenous Commercial Farmers Union which was benefitting from the land reform programme were holding talks either to merge or at least to work closely together.
867-Gono tells his audience what he thinks they want to hear
Central bank governor Gideon Gono tends to tell his audience what he thinks they want to hear. This was the view of United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan after Gono told him that he wanted to expand his advisory council to 29 to include representatives of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.
868-Gono fails to arrest economic decline
Six months on the job, Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono had only managed to slow down the country’s economic decline but had not turned it around. In fact, exports had slumped since he took over.
869-Murerwa unwilling to let Zimbabweans face uncomfortable facts
Acting Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa was unwilling to help Zimbabweans confront uncomfortable facts leaving everything to central bank governor Gideon Gono.
870-How ZANU-PF exploits Zimbabweans
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has been able to exploit Zimbabweans because they are gambler-esque: “I lost the last hand, but I might have better luck next time”.
871-Gono appears to have reached the limits of his influence
Central bank governor Gideon Gono, who came on with a lot of promise, appeared to be someone who was disingenuous or who had already reached the limits of his influence seven months later.
872-Harare becomes too expensive for business
Zimbabwe had become too expensive to do business in by mid-2004 that Coca Cola was considering relocating to the South African financial hub Johannesburg because it was cheaper, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
873- Gono: wolf in sheep’s clothing?
New United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell described central bank governor Gideon Gono as a wolf in sheep’s clothing who had hounded out his enemies while building his own empire.
874-US firms in sanctions busting?
Two United States companies were alleged to be doing business with the Zimbabwean government but it was not clear whether they were busting the sanctions introduced by Washington under its Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act or not.
875-Government starts buying votes for 2005
In what appeared to be a deliberate move to appease voters ahead of the 2005 parliamentary elections, the government started ensuring the availability and affordability of politically sensitive goods and services such as maize-meal, fuel and school fees.
876-US tobacco firm denies sanctions busting
United States tobacco firm Dimon denied that it was buying tobacco from farms occupied by the Zimbabwe Defence Industries but it admitted that it was working with Sentry Financial and the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, then known as Jewel Bank, on a tobacco-for-grain swap.
877-Gold production expected to increase by 67%
Gold production was expected to increase by 67 percent to 20 tonnes because of a favourable price that the government was paying to the producers.
878-Government urged to emphasise production over politics
The government was urged to emphasize production of tobacco ahead of politics for the economy to recover. Though this was said eight years ago it could equally apply today and in any sector and not just tobacco.
879-Gono says Mugabe is amenable when approached in a proper manner
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that President Robert Mugabe was amenable when approached in a proper manner.
880-Goche negotiated Mugabe exit with MDC
One of the principal negotiators for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Nicholas Goche was holding talks with the Movement for Democratic Change regarding President Robert Mugabe’s exit, days after the 29 March 2008 elections.
881-Why ZANU-PF changed its mind about Mugabe exit
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front which had agreed that President Robert Mugabe should step down after his defeat in the 29 March 2008 elections changed its mind the very day Mugabe was expected to concede defeat because the Movement for Democratic Change refused to accommodate him for another six months.
882-Goche, Chinamasa and Mnangagwa were prepared to ditch Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe’s top lieutenants, Nicholas Goche, Patrick Chinamasa and Emmerson Mnangagwa were at one time interested in a government of national unity with an interim leader who was not Mugabe, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
883-Mbeki said Tsvangirai was a western puppet hook, line and sinker
South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was the main negotiator in the Zimbabwe crisis, allegedly said Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was a Western puppet “hook, line, and sinker”.
884-Mnangagwa assumed virtual presidency role in runoff
Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed a virtual presidency role as a member of the Joint Operations Command which was reportedly running the country in the run-up to the presidential elections runoff of 2008, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
885-US ambassador finds no new evidence of violence
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee did not find any new information on the violence that was endemic in Zimbabwe in the run-up to the presidential elections runoff when he visited Mashonaland East two weeks before the polls.
886-Mujuru found Tsvangirai more acceptable than Mnangagwa
Former army commander Solomon Mujuru found Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai more acceptable than Emmerson Mnangagwa his main rival within the Zimbabwe African National Patriotic Front, according to a cable released by Wikileaks.
887-Government lifts ban on NGOs
The government on 29 August 2008 lifted the ban on non-governmental organisations which it imposed on 4 June but it said all NGOs would now be required to provide information on a form called the monitoring and evaluation instrument.
888-Mangoma wanted to be Minister of Finance
The deputy treasurer of the Movement for Democratic Change, Elton Mangoma, an accountant by profession, wanted to be the new government’s Minister of Finance according to one of the negotiators, Welshman Ncube, secretary general of the smaller faction of the MDC.
889-Inclusive government the only game in town
Four months after signing the Global Political Agreement, it was apparent that the formation of an inclusive government was the only game in town for the three major political parties in Zimbabwe otherwise the country would plunge into another Somalia.
890-What Mugabe was thinking
President Robert Mugabe was looking for a graceful exit, on his own terms, that preserved his legacy, Norway’s deputy director general for Southern and Western Africa in the Foreign Office, Kare Stormark, said just over a month after the formation of the inclusive government.
891-Goche toes the party line through and through
Transport Minister Nicholas Goche told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee that he was happy with the cooperation between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change but admitted that the inclusive government had not found favour with the heads of the security forces.
892-Botswana official says Zuma is a big disappointment
A Botswana Foreign Affairs official Zibane Ntakhwana said South African President Jacob Zuma had been the biggest disappointment in the Zimbabwean crisis because he had made very positive noises about taking a tougher line on Zimbabwe before being elected president but had done nothing drastically different from former President Thabo Mbeki since taking over.
893-Goche part of a third “loose” faction in ZANU-PF?
Transport Minister Nicholas Goche was part of a third “loose” faction within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front which included central bank governor Gideon Gono, according to Norwegian ambassador to Zimbabwe Gunnar Foreland.
894-ZANU-PF desperate to repair relations with US
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was so desperate to repair relations with the United States government towards the end of 2004 that it sent businessman John Bredenkamp as an emissary to test the waters but at the same time advising embassy officials that the party was prepared to bend over backwards to accommodate the Americans.
895-Zimbabweans still have confidence in the judicial system
Zimbabweans still had confidence in the judicial system with 64 percent saying that they had a lot of trust in the country’s courts despite the so-called breakdown in the rule of law.
896-Shamuyarira scores another victory against Jonathan Moyo!
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for Information Nathan Shamuyarira was reported to have scored another victory against Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, described by the United States embassy as “rabidly anti-Western”, by forcing the ministry to admit 13 British journalists to cover the English cricket team’s tour of Zimbabwe.
897-Chinamasa and Jonathan Moyo on their way out because of Tsholotsho?
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Information Minister Jonathan Moyo were reported to be on their way out because of their involvement in the Tsholotsho Declaration which was meant to block Joice Mujuru from becoming vice-President, but Chinamasa had a better chance of surviving than Moyo.
898-Gono says he was responsible for Jonathan Moyo's demise
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that he was responsible for Information Minister Jonathan Moyo’s demise.
899-CFU says plight of white farmers is improving
The President of the Commercial Farmers Union Doug Taylor Freeme said the pace of the fast track land reform had slowed since the demise of hardliners like Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
900-More trouble for Jonathan Moyo
There was more trouble for Information Minister Jonathan Moyo when the party decided that it would reserve a third of the seats in the 2005 parliamentary elections for women and his Tsholotsho seat was one of those that was going to be affected.
901-Managing a business in Mugabe’s shadow
This was the title of a cable dispatched by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell on 28 September 2004. But though he had talked to seven prominent Zimbabwean businessmen, the cable did not say much about how they were doing business except that they were pressing for balance of payment support.
902-Gono called Mugabe on speakerphone for CFU president
Central bank governor Gideon Gono, who was a long standing member of the Commercial Farmers Union, called President Robert Mugabe on his speakerphone so that he and CFU president Doug Taylor-Freeme could brainstorm with Mugabe the revival of the country’s agriculture.
903-Dabengwa, Lesabe knew Jonathan Moyo was finished in ZANU-PF
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politburo members from Matabeleland Dumiso Dabengwa and Tenjiwe Lesabe knew after the Tsholotsho debacle that Jonathan Moyo was finished in ZANU-PF.
904-MDC MPs admit support for party is more of opposition to ZANU-PF
Movement for Democratic Change Members of Parliament from Matabeleland- Moses Mzila-Ncube, Thokozani Khupe and Abednico Bhebhe- together with members of civil society told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell just before the 2005 parliamentary elections that the MDC was going to win in Matabeleland but added that support for the party stemmed primarily from opposition to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front more than the appeal of any MDC platform.
905-Moyo stands as an independent and is fired from ZANU-PF
Defiant Information Minister Jonathan Moyo stood as an independent candidate for Tsholotsho after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front said it had reserved the seat for a woman candidate and was immediately fired from the party and from cabinet.
906-How Zimbabwe implemented SADC guidelines on elections in 2005
The pre-election environment for the 2005 parliamentary elections was improved considerably over the run-ups to the parliamentary elections of 2000 or the presidential election of 2002, according to a cable by the United States embassy that has been released by Wikileaks.
907-MDC MPs on why Mugabe was more tolerant in 2005
President Robert Mugabe was more tolerant of the Movement for Democratic Change during the run-up to the 2005 elections because either he had a plan of ensuring that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front would win without resorting to violence or he wanted the MDC to win because he had no clear successor.
908-Government more receptive to criticism from business than MDC
The government was more receptive to criticism from the business sector than from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change because the business sector was seen as apolitical, United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell said.
909-Why US was interested in Mutare
Mutare was an export hub to the United States according to figures that were given to United States embassy officials by the chief executives of three companies there.
910-Moyo says ZANU-PF is a party of tribalists with no direction
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was a spent force. It was a party of tribalists with no direction.
911-Who is Auntie Blair?
President Robert Mugabe’s campaign against British Prime Minister Tony Blair- the anti-Blair campaign- was so ineffective that many rural constituents had started asking: “Just who is this Auntie Blair?” former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told a visiting United States delegation.
912-Bulawayo mayor says MDC would win 70 seats “if it fails completely”
Bulawayo mayor Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube was so optimistic that the Movement for Democratic Change would sweep the 2005 elections that he said it would win at least 80 of the 120 seats nationally, or “70, if we fail completely”.
913-MDC robbed again
That was the general feeling as it emerged that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, which was supposed to be in for a surprise in the 2005 parliamentary election, had garnered 59 percent of the vote and was heading for a two-thirds majority.
914-Gono optimistic about growth in 2005
Central bank governor Gideon Gono predicted that Zimbabwe’s economy which had been on the decline for nearly seven years would grow by 3.5 percent to 5 percent boosted by tobacco production which he said would grow by 150 percent.
915-Mobil battles with corrupt ministers and briefcase operators
Fuel companies including multinationals, ExxonMobil, were benefitting from the cheap money that was being provided by central bank governor Gideon Gono and were even making a profit though they had to battle with corrupt ministers and briefcase operators.
916-ZANU-PF surprises everyone including itself
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front surprised everyone in the 2005 parliamentary elections including itself when it won 78 of the 120 contested seats garnering a two-thirds majority which enabled it to change even the country’s constitution.
917-Jokonya a breath of fresh air after Jonathan Moyo
New Information Minister Tichaona Jokonya was a breath of fresh air after his “clever but shrill and vitriolic predecessor” Jonathan Moyo, United States embassy officials said.
918-Mugabe, rumoured to be dead, opens parliament
President Robert Mugabe, who had been rumoured to be ill or dead, officially opened Parliament on 9 June lambasting the United States for its “shameless refusal” to join international consensus in accepting the results of the March elections in which his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had won a two-thirds majority.
919-US considered adding Jonathan Moyo’s daughters on sanctions list
The United States embassy in Harare recommended that Washington should add Jonathan Moyo’s three daughters onto their sanctions list more than four months after Moyo had been expelled from the government and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
920-Jonathan Moyo becomes part of a Third Force
A former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front legislator Pearson Mbalekwa, who had just resigned from ZANU-PF, told United States embassy officials that top politicians from ZANU-PF including former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo were planning to launch a Third Force to challenge the two major parties ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change.
921-Pressure on white farmers boiling
The vice-president of the Commercial Farmers Union Christopher Hawgood told United States embassy officials that pressure on white farmers was intense in October and November because government officials wanted to seize farms after crops were already in the ground.
922-Gono has killed Bindura- general manager
Central bank governor Gideon Gono had killed Bindura Nickel Corporation by increasing import duty over 100-fold and raising electricity rates, the general manager Ranganai Chinamatira said in 2004.
923-ZANU-PF uses parliamentary majority to amend constitution
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front used its two-thirds parliamentary majority to change the constitution to allow it to legally acquire all land, create a senate and revoke passports of its opponents.
924-Tsvangirai says MDC leaders stage arrests to show courage
It’s out. Movement for Democratic Change leaders, and those from civil society, deliberately get arrested in order to demonstrate courage and leadership to their benefactors and supporters.
925-Zvobgo says Mugabe's departure will trigger uncertainty, national relief
Eddison Zvobgo Jnr, one of the political players in Masvingo, said seven years ago that the departure of President Robert Mugabe could spell the end of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front but at the same time it would bring an overwhelming sense of national relief.
926-US view on the ZANU-PF succession battle
With the decline of the Movement for Democratic Change since the March 2005 elections the United States embassy seemed to be focussing on the succession battles within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
927-Jonathan Moyo says both ZANU-PF and MDC are in disarray
Tsholotsho legislator Jonathan Moyo said both the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had been significantly weakened since the March 2005 elections though ZANU-PF had won a two-thirds majority.
928-Gono promises floating exchange rate
Central bank governor Gideon Gono promised a visiting International Monetary Fund team that Zimbabwe would have market-determined exchange and interest rates by September 2005, which was almost a year away.
929-Murerwa forecast growth in 2005
Acting Finance Minister Hebert Murerwa forecast a 3.5 to 5 percent growth and inflation of between 30-50 percent, more or less echoing what central bank governor Gideon Gono had said in his monetary statement.
930-Mudzingwa says Tsvangirai won’t compromise
Movement for Democratic Change secretary for presidential affairs Gandhi Mudzingwa said party leader Morgan Tsvangirai was going to stand his ground in the intra-party conflict over participating in the senate elections even if this meant driving the party's current Ndebele leadership away.
931-Mbalekwa says Jonathan Moyo is in the executive of UPM
The United People’s Movement’s only visible member Pearson Mbalekwa said independent legislator for Tsholotsho Jonathan Moyo and former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front chairman for Masvingo Daniel Shumba were on the party’s national executive but he did not name the other members.
932-Mugabe rigid, defiant, isolated
President Robert Mugabe was a lonely leader who was increasingly alienated from a world over which he had dwindling influence and more distorted perceptions.
933-Shumba forms political party
Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front provincial chairman for Masvingo Daniel Shumba formed his own political party called the United People’s Party on 24 June 2006.
934-Death of Jokonya a sign that old generation is leaving the scene
The United States embassy in Harare said the death of Information Minister Tichaona Jokonya on 21 June 2006 literally and symbolically reinforced the message that ZANU-PF’s older generation was leaving the scene and President Robert Mugabe was even more isolated.
935-Moyo disappointed by Mnangagwa's lack of courage
Former Minister of Information Jonathan Moyo told former journalist Sydney Masamvu that he was disappointed by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lack of political courage and skill and believed that he would be outplayed by the Mujurus.
936-Coltart says the goal is to unseat ZANU-PF in any way possible
Movement for Democratic Change legislator David Coltart told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that though he favoured enacting a new constitution and then conducting internationally-supervised, free and fair elections, the ultimate goal was to unseat ZANU-PF in any way possible.
937-Make a plan-that’s how Zimbabweans survived the crisis
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo summed it up all. The government of Zimbabwe had normalised the abnormal. Zimbabweans took up the challenge. To survive, you had to make a plan.
938-Gono shocked by IMF analysis of 2005 budget
Central bank governor Gideon Gono said he was shocked by the International Monetary Fund’s analysis of Zimbabwe’s 2005 after the IMF team said inflation would exceed 200 percent and the budget deficit would be around 10.5 percent.
939-Mugabe didn’t want to be seen as bowing to US pressure
President Robert Mugabe was not happy with the non-governmental organisations bill and wanted to send it back to Parliament but he could not do so because of the heavy criticism the bill had received from the United States government.
940-Gono pleads with Dell for 90 minutes
Central bank governor Gideon Gono, claiming to be a messenger of President Robert Mugabe, pleaded with United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell for 90 minutes that Zimbabwe wanted better relations with the United States.
941-Zimbabwean company says it may have to pass Disney job because of exchange rate
A Zimbabwean company which had furnished 1 300 rooms for Disney’s Animal Kingdom said it had been offered another job to furnish 1 600 hotel rooms but it might have to pass the job because it could not do it at the current exchange rate.
942-CFU president prefers a moderate ZANU-PF to an MDC government
Commercial Farmers Union president Doug Taylor-Freeme told United States embassy officials that he preferred a moderate Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front government to a Movement for Democratic Change one.
943-Gono says fast track land reform is over
Central bank governor Gideon Gono said on 27 January 2005 the fast track land reform programme was over and the government would have "zero tolerance for disruptive activities on land".
944-Gono literally tells private sector- fend for yourselves
The Zimbabwe dollar depreciated by at least 20 percent to trade at between Z$10 500 and Z$11 000 to the greenback two weeks after central bank governor Gideon Gono’s monetary policy statement in which he had not adjusted the diaspora rate because he had literally told the private sector- “fend for yourselves”.
945-IMF plays into ZANU-PF’s hands
The International Monetary Fund’s postponement of a decision on Zimbabwe’s compulsory withdrawal played into the hands of the Zimbabwean government because it was portrayed in the government-owned media as a vote of confidence in the country’s home-grown economic turnaround efforts.
946-US truck company sales drop by 90 percent
Sales of new and used truck by US company Tyco dropped by 90 percent from 1999 to 2004 the company’s general manager John Stuart said.
947-Gono says hands off to parallel market dealers
Central bank governor Gideon Gono instructed his exchange control chief O.C. Masiiwa not to pursue high profile parallel market traders in the run up to the March 2005 elections because he feared that this could divide the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front because the traders were well-connected members of ZANU-PF.
948-Mugabe thought the NGO bill was part of the Tsholotsho plot!
A confidante of President Robert Mugabe, Father Fidelis Mukonori, told United States embassy officials that Mugabe had decided not to sign the non-governmental orgnisations bill in its current form because he thought it was part of the Tsholotsho plot.
949-Business says there is no hope until Mugabe is gone
A number of business leaders, way back in 2005, said they saw no hope for Zimbabwe until President Robert Mugabe was gone because they did not believe that any cabinet under Mugabe would enact more reasonable exchange rate or land reform policies.
950-Currency auction allows Gono to concentrate power in his hands
The foreign currency auction system introduced by central bank governor Gideon Gono to stem the parallel market had failed to do so but instead it had allowed Gono to concentrate economic power in his hands.
951-ZANU-PF women’s league threatens to take over companies
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Women’s League said it had drawn up a list of companies that were profiteering and threatened to seize control of these companies.
952-US embassy official says he expects no change while Mugabe is still alive
A United States embassy official who was leaving the country said he did not expect any economic reform until President Robert Mugabe had retired, was dead or accepted a role as a figurehead president, “taking the Gonos and Murerwas with him”.
953-Gono lashes out at greedy economic saboteurs
Central bank governor Gideon Gono lashed out at greedy “economic saboteurs” and indisciplined elements on whom he vowed the government would clamp down as it became apparent he had run out of options to turn around the economy.
954-Gono said the government had agreed to compensate white farmers
Central bank governor Gideon Gono said his monetary policy statement of May 2005 was a clear indication that Zimbabwe was prepared to play by global economic rules, including honouring bilateral investment agreements and was prepared to negotiate compensation with commercial farmers who had lost land during the land reform programme.
955-Gono luring white farmers to stay
Commercial Farmers Union president Doug Taylor Freeme told United States embassy officials that central bank governor Gideon Gono was interested in luring white farmers back to the land and protecting those still there from further seizures but he seemed to be failing.
956-Gono powerless as cash dries up
Central bank governor Gideon Gono had become powerless except follow one misguided order after another as the country faced a cash crisis because President Robert Mugabe had refused to allow him to print Z$100 0000 and Z$50 000 bearer’s cheques because “it wouldn’t look good”.
957-Gono says he would never resign
Central bank governor Gideon Gono said he would never resign but at the same time he would never refuse to be fired. He said this to a visiting United States delegation after they asked him about rumours that he had offered to resign because government policy seemed to be at odds with his more orthodox market oriented policies.
958-Business leaders plead with US not to let IMF expel Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s business leaders pleaded with the United States not to let the International Monetary Fund expel Zimbabwe from the organisation saying this would be disastrous and would induce greater capital flight and accelerate the exodus of Zimbabwe’s best and brightest.
959-US dictates terms under which SA should bail out Zimbabwe
With threats of expulsion from the International Monetary Fund hanging over its head, Zimbabwe was desperate to secure a loan from the South African Government but the United States viewed this as an opportunity to squeeze concessions for reform from President Robert Mugabe’s government.
960-Gono all out to stop Zimbabwe’s expulsion from IMF
Central bank governor Gideon Gono went all out in July 2005 to stop Zimbabwe’s expulsion from the International Monetary Fund saying this would be disastrous for the country.
961-Caltex breaks even with just 12 service stations
Caltex was breaking even at the height of fuel shortages in Zimbabwe with just 12 service stations throughout the country and through direct imports on behalf of clients like companies and embassies, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of market prices.
962-Gono stuns IMF and US government
Central bank governor Gideon Gono stunned the International Monetary Fund and the United States government when he paid US$120 million on 29 August 2005 towards the country’s IMF debt, leaving both wondering where he had got the money.
963-US says no carrots for Gono
The United States embassy said it had no carrots to offer to central bank governor Gideon Gono. The only grounds for meaningful re-engagement with Zimbabwe were a commitment to the implementation of a comprehensive political and economic reform package and restoration of due process and the rule of law.
964-Where Gono got the money to pay the IMF
Bulawayo business consultant Eric Bloch told United States embassy officials that central bank governor Gideon Gono sourced the US$120 million that he paid the International Monetary Fund in August from 37 separate sources in a complicated deal applying various exchange rates and terms for later access to foreign currency.
965-Banker says parastatals are a bottomless barrel
The head of consumer banking at Standard Chartered Ralph Watungwa said parastatals were a bottomless barrel so the announcement by central bank governor Gideon Gono that he would require them to hold their foreign currency with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe would not rein them in even if the RBZ could dip into those accounts to address other priorities such as paying the International Monetary Fund.
966-Gono says he will be fired if inflation hits quadruple digit
Central bank governor Gideon Gono who had managed to bring down inflation considerably in his first year as governor admitted in January 2006 that he was losing the battle against inflation and had been warned by high-level government officials that he would be fired if inflation hit four digits.
967-Jonathan Moyo holds balance of power
Tsholotsho legislator Jonathan Moyo held the balance of power in Parliament after Movement for Democratic Change chairman Lovemore Moyo was elected Speaker because the MDC-T now had 99 seats against the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front’s 98.
968-Moyo calls for investigation of USAID operations in Zimbabwe
Independent Legislator Jonathan Moyo called for an international investigation into the operations of the United States Agency for International Development after the death of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s wife, Susan, in a car accident which involved a USAID truck.
969-Jonathan Moyo attacks Tsvangirai
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo attacked Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for arranging a trip to the United States saying the trip was a personal disaster and a complete waste of time.
970-Researcher says Zuma is not different from Mbeki
A Zimbabwean researcher with the Institute of Security Studies Takawira Musavengana said although South African President Jacob Zuma and his entourage were trying desperately to distinguish themselves from the Thabo Mbeki administration, South Africa’s position on Zimbabwe had not fundamentally changed.
971-Jonathan Moyo rejoins ZANU-PF
Tsholotsho independent Legislator Jonathan Moyo who once called the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front a “dead duck on the shelf” had applied to rejoin the party.
972-Jonathan Moyo back in familiar territory
Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, who ran the government’s propaganda machine from 2000 to 2005 when he was expelled from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, was back in familiar territory as he blasted the Movement for Democratic Change and sought to be readmitted to ZANU-PF.
973-Gorden Moyo says without Mugabe there would be chaos
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s political advisor Gorden Moyo said without President Robert Mugabe there would be chaos as hardliners within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front wanted to scuttle the Global Political Agreement.
974-SADC promised to raise US$2 billion for Zimbabwe
The Southern African Development Community promised to seek US$2 billion for Zimbabwe’s recovery barely a month after the swearing in of the inclusive government.
975-Biti and Gono tussle over vouchers
When the government introduced foreign currency vouchers to enable civil servants to buy goods from local shops rather than exchange them for cash at the formation of the inclusive government, Finance Minister quickly reversed the decision allowing people to cash them at banks because he wanted to stop central bank governor Gideon Gono from printing vouchers not backed by cash.
976-Zimbabwe up for sale+
By insisting that the three key political parties in Zimbabwe enter into an inclusive government, the Southern African Development Community had essentially “bought and owned the store and the conundrum for the sub-region that is Zimbabwe” so it had to do everything it could to fix the problem.
977-Why Mugabe can’t fire Gono
President Robert Mugabe cannot fire central bank governor Gideon Gono because he knows where the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front skeletons are buried.
978-Mangoma says Biti “cooked” his first budget with Mugabe
Former Minister for Economic Planning Elton Mangoma said Finance Minister Tendai Biti “cooked” his first budget with President Robert Mugabe who then at the cabinet meeting asserted his authority with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front ministers.
979-How many teachers are there in Zimbabwe?
No one seemed to know the number of teachers in Zimbabwe when the inclusive government was formed three years ago, and this could still be the situation today as the government insists there are 75 000 ghost workers.
980-Biti shows his muscle
Finance Minister Tendai Biti slashed the 2009 budget from US$1.9 billion to US$1 billion and directed that all revenue be remitted to treasury in a move that was aimed at stripping central bank governor Gideon Gono of his powers.
981-Dlamini-Zuma on how US could help Zimbabwe
Former South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the US could help Zimbabwe’s recovery programme by bypassing the government and assisting commercial farmers and the business sector directly.
982-US embassy showers Biti with praise on his first budget
The United States embassy was full of praise for Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s revised first budget saying it was a major policy improvement. Biti slashed the budget from US$1.9 billion to US$1 billion.
983-Mangoma told US ambassador MDC had no desire to push Mugabe out
Former Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee two months after the formation of the inclusive government that President Robert Mugabe was playing a conciliatory and constructive role in cabinet. So, though the Movement for Democratic Change ultimately wanted to see him go, it had no desire at that time to push him out.
984-Mugabe said Biti was his best Finance Minister ever
Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani said President Robert Mugabe said though he had only worked with Finance Minister Tendai Biti for a few weeks, he was his best Finance Minister ever. Biti, at the time, had only been Finance Minister for two months.
985-US embassy considers getting Zimbank and Agribank off sanctions list
The United States embassy said though sanctions on Zimbabwe which affected two banks in which the government had a stake, Agribank and Zimbank, were highly effectual, it was considering recommending that the two banks be removed from the sanctions list because the sanctions were also hurting the banks’ largely rural bases.
986-Can’t say no to a Benz
Though members of the Movement for Democratic Change had criticised the government for years for spending money on luxury cars, they couldn’t say no when they were offered new US$50 000 E280 Mercedes Benz cars. Only Education Minister David Coltart turned down the offer.
987-Matinenga says MPs should not view their seats as jobs
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga told Members of Parliament in April 2009, two months after the formation of the inclusive government, that they should not view their seats in Parliament as jobs. They were serving the nation.
988-US embassy disagrees with IMF sides with Biti
The United States embassy in Harare did not agree with the conclusion of an International Monetary Fund mission to Zimbabwe that the government’s income estimate for 2009 was overly optimistic saying in light of the gaping lack of information on private sector activity and its capacity to rebound, it believed Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s revised budget broadly reflected actual government incomes and expenditures.
989-IMF fails to establish where Zimbabwe got the money to pay it
An International Monetary Fund team that was in Zimbabwe on a 10-day at the end of January 2006 failed to establish where Zimbabwe had got the US$120 million it had paid to the IMF six months earlier.
990-Gono says everyone hates him except the man on the street
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that everyone hated him except the man on the street.
991-Gono told Dell that Grace wanted Mugabe to step down
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell six years ago that the First Lady Grace had confided to him that President Robert Mugabe was “out of it” 75 percent of the time and she wanted him to step down.
992-Gono cooked the figures to hide true extent of inflation
Central bank governor cooked up figures to hide the true extent of inflation. An internal Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe study pegged inflation in mid-February 2006 at 2114 percent.
993-Zvobgo says everyone agrees that Mugabe has outlived his time
Eddison Zvobgo Jnr said everyone agreed that President Robert Mugabe had outlived his time but caution and fear borne of the party’s history made open action to hasten his departure by aspiring successors or a disgruntled membership unlikely.
994-Russia says Zimbabwe is no more autocratic than the norm in Africa
Two Russian foreign affairs counsellors told United States embassy officials that they did not see any reason why Russia should avoid contact with Zimbabwe because it was no more autocratic than “the norm in Africa”.
995-Bloch says Gono is naïve and impetuous
Bulawayo business consultant Eric Bloch who was reported to be close to central bank governor Gideon Gono said Gono was naïve and impetuous.
996-Banks facing the crunch
Stricter liquidity controls that were announced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in January 2006 raising statutory reserves to 60 percent for demand deposits and 45 percent for savings deposits were reported to be sapping the sector of vital capital.
997-Dell says Gono is corrupt to boot
Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell said central bank governor Gideon Gono was corrupt to boot.
998-Gono ambushes the nation
Central bank governor Gideon Gono ambushed everyone when he slashed three zeros from the country’s currency on 31 July 2006 and said everyone should change the old bearer’s cheques within 21 days or they would become garden manure.
999-Zimbabweans good at planning but not implementing
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni said six years ago Zimbabweans were very good at planning but very poor at implementing which made one wonder whether they were ready to do anything to extricate themselves from their predicament.
1000-Masamvu said Gono bought the support of the military
Former Zimbabwean journalist Sydney Masamvu who had become a key United States embassy contact said central bank governor Gideon Gono had become a major contender in the succession battle because he had bought the support of the key military and intelligence officials through his control of foreign exchange.
1001-Gono to educate the nation that capital flows to areas of greatest freedom
Central bank governor Gideon Gono, saying that 2006 had been his worst year in office, promised United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that he would stop moaning about sanctions and would educate the nation that capital flowed to “areas of greatest freedom”.
1002-Shamuyarira says Gono would be massacred if he stepped into politics
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front information boss Nathan Shamuyarira told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that central bank governor Gideon Gono would be massacred if he stepped into the political ring.
1003-IMF says Gono is the worst central banker in the world
The International Monetary Fund mission chief Sharmini Coorey said that the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gideon Gono was the worst banker in the world by far.
1004-Gideon Gono reinvents Gideon Gono
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador Christopher Dell, two days before the presentation of his first 2007 monetary policy statement, that he was going to begin "true reform", promote national unity and engage the international community "East, West, North and South".
1005-US ambassador says Gono is increasingly acting as de facto Prime Minister
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell said after the February 2007 cabinet reshuffle, central bank governor Gideon Gono was increasingly acting as the de facto Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.
1006-Mugabe’s grip limits economic reform
President Robert Mugabe was firmly in control of the country and central bank governor Gideon Gono had to kowtow to him over every incremental devaluation and cloak it obsequiously as a magnanimous gesture from the president.
1007-Gono goes to the streets for money
Central bank governor Gideon Gono was in March 2007 forced to go the streets for money after South African banks refused to give him credit to finance food imports, his advisor Munyaradzi Kereke told United States embassy officials.
1008-Zvobgo says Mugabe no longer trusts Mnangagwa and Mujuru
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front loyalist Eddison Zvobgo said President Robert Mugabe was not likely to step down after being re-elected as had earlier been speculated because he was worried about his personal safety if he left office.
1009-Gono told US ambassador that ZANU-PF did not rig elections
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front would not rig the elections and would seek to work with Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai if he won.
1010-US implores EU to place Gono on sanctions list
The United States implored the European Union to include central bank governor Gideon Gono on its sanctions list soon after the 2008 presidential elections run off when it sought to press for a United Nations Security Council Resolution that would allow military intervention in Zimbabwe.
1011-France says it will support inclusion of Gono on EU sanctions
France said it would support the inclusion of central bank governor Gideon Gono on the European sanctions list which would in turn facilitate his inclusion on the United Nations Security Council list.
1012-The 14 people the US wanted on the UN sanctions list
President Robert Mugabe topped the list of 14 Zimbabwean politicians and security chiefs that the United States wanted to be included on the United Nations sanctions list which it was to table on 9 July 2008. Second on the list was defence forces chief Constantine Chiwenga followed by Emmerson Mnangagwa and fourth was Gideon Gono.
1013-Italy not committed on Gono
The Italian government said it supported the Security Council resolution on Zimbabwe which entitled the United Nations to intervene militarily in the southern African country but said it had no comment on central bank governor Gideon Gono at the time.
1014-Belgium has no objections to Gono’s addition to sanctions list
Belgium said it had no objection to the addition of central bank governor Gideon Gono’s name to the United Nations Security Council sanctions list.
1015-Business accuses Gono of assuming functions of Ministry of Finance
Members of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce blasted the government for policy inconsistencies and reversals and accused the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe of usurping the functions of the Ministry of Finance.
1016-Tsvangirai said there was no room for Gono in new government
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee way back in August 2008 that there was no room for central bank governor Gideon Gono in the new government.
1017-Tsvangirai met Gono to reassure him of his future before GPA
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai met central bank governor Gideon Gono to reassure him and security chiefs that there would be no witch hunt if a good political agreement was reached with the MDC.
1018-British PM told Tsvangirai no help if Mugabe retained executive power
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown phoned Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai not to budge emphasising that there would not be any international engagement with Zimbabwe if President Robert Mugabe retained executive power.
1019-Who is who in the Parliamentary Select Committee?
On 12 April 2009, two months after the formation of the inclusive government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Lovemore Moyo, announced the formation of the Parliamentary Select Committee for a New Constitution.
1020-Biti demands investigation of Gono
Finance Minister Tendai Biti demanded that cabinet should investigate central bank governor Gideon Gono over the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s US$1.2 billion debt.
1021-Tsvangirai persuades Gono to step down
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai met central bank governor Gideon Gono to convince him to step down after a heated debate in cabinet that he should be investigated for the central bank debt.
1022-Biti adamant that Gono has to go
Finance Minister Tendai Biti was adamant that central bank governor Gideon Gono had to leave the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the issue had to be dealt with as soon as possible, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee.
1023-Biti describes Mugabe as bosom buddy, lambasts Mnangagwa
Finance Minister Tendai Biti said although there were three outstanding “toxic” issues within the Global Political Agreement, President Robert Mugabe was very cooperative and acted as a “bosom buddy”.
1024-Biti, Chamisa pile pressure on Tsvangirai to deal with Mugabe
Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Information and Communications Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa piled pressure on Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to get President Robert Mugabe to resolve all outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement in just five days.
1025-Britain’s Miliband calls for support for MDC-controlled ministries
Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told United States permanent representative to the United Nations Susan Rice that the international community needed to show support for the transitional government in Zimbabwe by infusing assistance funds to projects supported by reformers in the Movement for Democratic Change-controlled ministries.
1026-Johnnie Carson says Mugabe’s stay in power is infinite
United States assistant secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson said he had long regarded President Robert Mugabe’s stay in office as infinite as long as the security forces were behind him.
1027-US ambassador questions MDC ability to push for reform
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee told Finance Minister Tendai Biti that the exit of central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana from the scene was very important in assuring observers that Zimbabwe was serious about reform.
1028-Confusion over loan from China
There was confusion as to whether Zimbabwe had received a loan of US$950 million from China or not just five months after the signing of the inclusive government.
1029-Biti buries Zimbabwe dollar
Finance Minister Tendai Biti demonetised the Zimbabwe dollar in his mid-year budget for 2009 and said he would buy all balances held by the financial sector for an estimated US$6 million.
1030-Tomana refuses to budge
Attorney-general Johannes Tomana reasserted the legitimacy of his appointment as the government’s top prosecutor when he was challenged by two Movement for Democratic Change leaders Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa.
1031-Zimbabwe forecasts first positive growth in a decade
Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Zimbabwe was expected to have a positive growth of 3.7 percent in 2009, the first positive growth in a decade. The economy had declined by a cumulative 48 percent between 2000 and 2008.
1032-Biti told: “prepare your will”
Finance Minister Tendai Biti on 27 July 2009 received an envelope with a 9mm bullet and a note advising him to “prepare his will”.
1033-Biti on diamonds committee
Finance Minister Tendai Biti was appointed to the diamonds committee in response to the concerns raised by the Kimberley Process which had barred the trade of rough diamonds from the Marange fields.
1034-Biti asks South Africa for more aid
South Africa had given Zimbabwe R200 million in financial assistance but Finance Minister Tendai Biti had asked for more.
1035-Biti laments that Zimbabwe is still a failed state
Although Zimbabwe’s economy had progressed tremendously in the first seven months of 2009 with revenue increasing from US$4 million in January to US$90 million in July, Finance Minister Tendai Biti told a United States treasury official Andy Baukol that Zimbabwe was still a failed state.
1036-US embassy says no one is keen on elections
The United States embassy in Harare said way back in August 2009 that Zimbabwe was not likely to hold any elections within the period set under the Global Political Agreement because none of the political parties in the GPA was eager to hold elections.
1037-Biti confident Zimbabwe and South Africa will conclude BIPA
Finance Minister Tendai Biti said he was confident that negotiations on the long-awaited Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement between Zimbabwe and South Africa would be concluded soon.
1038-Pretoria bails out Biti
South Africa had paid Zimbabwe the last tranche of the R300 million that it had pledged to the inclusive government, but it was not in a position to give Finance Minister Tendai Biti an additional R1 billion that he had requested.
1039-How Mugabe balanced his cabinet after the 1987 unity with ZAPU
President Robert Mugabe has always survived on how he balances his cabinet. His Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has always said it is against racialism, tribalism, nepotism and all the other –isms, but the West has always looked at African politics along tribal and ethnic lines.
1040-Tutu says Mugabe is making a cartoon of himself
South African Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu said President Robert Mugabe was almost a caricature of all things people think black African leaders do.
1041-Only a call to Mugabe by US president can stop violence- ambassador
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald told State department officials at the height of farm invasions in Zimbabwe in 2000 that nothing short of a telephone call from President Bill Clinton to President Robert Mugabe would stop the violence.
1042-Mugabe says farm invasions are “practical self-help”
President Robert Mugabe told United States embassy officials that the farm invasions by war veterans were a demonstration of practical self-help so he was not going to send in the army or police to restrain them.
1043-US embassy says Mugabe is using land as a smokescreen
President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were using the land issue to drum up nationalist sentiment and garner votes for the pending parliamentary elections, the United States embassy said in a cable two months before the 2000 elections.
1044-Mugabe wanted out of DRC but was not prepared to abandon Kabila
President Robert Mugabe was looking for a way out of the Democratic Republic of Congo in early 2000 but at the same time he did not want to abandon DRC President Laurent Kabila.
1045-Mugabe shifts focus from real issues to land
President Robert Mugabe had succeeded brilliantly in shifting the focus of the electoral campaign debate in 2000 away from what really ailed the country -the failing of leadership and the economic morass- to the land issue.
1046-SADC leaders pile pressure on Kabila to accept Masire as mediator
Zimbabwe’s Southern African Development Community allies in the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict, Namibian President Sam Nujoma, DRC President Laurent Kabila and Angolan President Jose Eduardo do Santos met in Harare on 25 June 2000 to apply pressure on Kabila to accept Sir Ketumile Masire as facilitator of the national dialogue.
1047-US embassy said CIO agent headed ZCTU after Tsvangirai
The United States embassy claimed that Isidore Zindoga, who replaced Morgan Tsvangirai as secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions when Tsvangirai left to lead the Movement for Democratic Change, was a Central Intelligence Organisation agent.
1048-Mugabe, Dos Santos key to peace in DRC
President Robert Mugabe and Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos were key to securing peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo where President Laurent Kabila had rejected mediation by former Botswana President Ketumile Masire.
1049-Chindori-Chininga says Mugabe is obsessed with land question
Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism Edward Chindori-Chininga told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that although tourism was one of Zimbabwe’s major foreign currency exchange earners, President Robert Mugabe was so obsessed with the land question that this was not important to him.
1050-Chiwewe asks US to drop case against Mugabe
The permanent secretary for Foreign Affairs Willard Chiwewe on 3 November 2000 asked United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald to ask his government to stop a civil lawsuit that had been filed against President Robert Mugabe in New York.
1051-SADC ministers bulldoze Zimbabwe to reform troika
Southern African Development Community foreign and defence ministers had to bulldoze Zimbabwe to reform the organ on politics, defence and security into a troika.
1052-US embassy says Mugabe will not be pushed off the scene
President Robert Mugabe was not going to go gently into that good night of retirement and it was almost impossible to convince him to do so.
1053-Mugabe’s presidential succession race down to two runners
Despite the emergency of the Movement for Democratic Change as a viable opposition with the potential to win elections and take over the government, the West and Zimbabweans have been obsessed with who is going to succeed President Robert Mugabe as if the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front is going to rule forever.
1054-Mugabe retains troika chair
President Robert Mugabe remained chair of the Southern African Development Community organ on politics, defence and security though the regional organisation had agreed that the chair should rotate from August.
1055-How Mugabe will hang on to power
President Robert Mugabe was expected to use all resources of his office, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the state to win the 2002 elections and deny the Movement for Democratic Change presidency.
1056-Mudenge says Mugabe has never refused to go
Former Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge said President Robert Mugabe had never refused to go but there was a campaign to discredit him in an attempt to frustrate the land reform programme he had embarked on.
1057-ZIDERA meant to punish Zimbabwe for doing the right thing
The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, which was being drafted by the United States government, was meant to punish Zimbabwe for doing the right thing- redistributing land equally among all citizens irrespective of colour, religion or political affiliation, the Herald said.
1058-Zambian diplomat says ZIDERA is welcome if it will hasten Mugabe’s departure
Zambian diplomat Ben Shawa told United States embassy officials that the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act was welcome if it would hasten President Robert Mugabe’s departure from the scene.
1059-Daily News editors arrested
Three senior editors of the Daily News, Geoff Nyarota, William Saidi and John Gambanga were arrested together with reporter Sam Munyavi over a story that alleged that police vehicles had been used to assist people looting commercial farms in Chinhoyi.
1060-Harassment of journalists continues
Police picked up and questioned more journalists from the independent media. On August 21, they questioned two journalists from the Mirror, Wallace Chuma and Constantine Chimakure over a story that police assisted looters in Chinhoyi.
1061-Two sides to the Abuja agreement
The Sunday Mail called in a major breakthrough and a victory for Zimbabwe and Africa. The Daily News said it was a demonstration that Commonwealth nations were against the lawlessness promoted by President Robert Mugabe.
1062-Mugabe sent Bush a message of condolence on 911
President Robert Mugabe sent United States President George Bush a message of condolence on the 9 September2001 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Centre saying this could only be the work of the most remorseless and hardened enemies of the United States and all peace loving people in the world.
1063-Mugabe trapped
President Robert Mugabe was trapped by the international community into signing the Abuja Agreement as this was going to show his true colours, the Financial Gazette said in its take on the Commonwealth brokered agreement.
1064-Zimbabwe shuts out uninvited election observers
Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Wutawunashe told a United States embassy official that Zimbabwe only accepted invited election observers, so observers should not foist themselves onto the electoral process.
1065-Reader says Mugabe’s condolence message to Bush is hypocritical
A Daily News reader said it was hypocritical of President Robert Mugabe to express outrage at the terrorism which struck the United States on 11 September 2001 while he accepted terrorism as a political tool at home.
1066-Paper asks why monitor Mugabe and not Bush?
The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said the European Union had abandoned sovereignty for gangsterism after it gave Zimbabwe an ultimatum on the issue of seconding election monitors to the country’s 2002 presidential elections.
1067-US ambassador’s anti-terror opinion piece receives wide coverage
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan’s opinion piece on the anti-terror campaign following the attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001 received wide coverage in two local papers, the Daily News and the Financial Gazette.
1068-Mugabe liable to pay damages for violence
A United States federal court ruled that President Robert Mugabe, as the first secretary of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front, was liable to damages related to the political violence in the run up to the 2000 parliamentary elections.
1069-ZANU-PF has become a monster
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front had become a monster which believed it was larger than life. This was the view of one of the country leading weekly papers in its analysis of the amendments to the Electoral Act in the run up to the 2002 president elections which it said were going to be a gigantic fraud.
1070-Mugabe undeterred by sanctions
President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were not deterred by threats of sanctions from the United States, the European Union and the Commonwealth and were all out to win the 2002 presidential election at all costs, the United States embassy said.
1071-Change of radio station shuts off VOA
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation rebranded its Radio 1 to Spot FM removing what the United States embassy said was the last vestige of the Rhodesian Broadcasting Service.
1072-Mugabe dressed down
That was what the Daily News led with when the United States approved the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which imposed sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
1073-Mogae says Mugabe is acting like a wounded buffalo
Botswana President Festus Mogae told United States officials that President Robert Mugabe was acting like a wounded buffalo so there was no way Zimbabwe was going to have free and fair elections.
1074-Muzenda asks Bush to assist in condemning violence
Vice-President Simon Muzenda asked United States President George Bush to assist in condemning all those elements in the political arena who seemed bent on pursuing their political ambitions through acts of terror.
1075-Zimbabwe is a sovereign state that does not need foster parents
Zimbabwe was a sovereign state that did not need foster parents to tell it what to do at every turn, the Bulawayo daily, the Chronicle, said in an editorial soon after the passing of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act.
1076-Time is running out for Mugabe
Time was running out for President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front because the international tide against their repressive rule was rising, and rising very fast, and the noose was tightening.
1077-Herald ignores top US official’s visit to Zimbabwe
The Herald completely ignored a three-day visit to Zimbabwe by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner, reporting only on the donation he made to local HIV/AIDS organisations without mentioning his presence, but the private media gave him favourable coverage.
1078-Allowing observers would erase Mugabe’s reputation of a power-crazed, aged dictator.
The Daily News said Zimbabwe should allow international observers to observe the 2002 presidential poll because this would erase in one fell swoop President Robert Mugabe’s odious reputation of “a power-crazed, aged dictator”.
1079-Mugabe says ZIDERA is an insult to the people of Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe described the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act as repugnant and provocative adding that it was a bold insult to the people of Zimbabwe and an intolerable insult to parliament.
1080-AIPPA and POSA before parliament
Two controversial bills, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill and the Public Order and Security Bill, were due to come before Parliament.
1081-Army warns journalists
Zimbabwe’s military and security chiefs warned journalists against publishing false reports that discredit the leadership and membership of security organisations saying that any reports and actions designed to create instability in Zimbabwe will be met with the full force of the law.
1082-Paper warns: end violence or face bloodbath
The Financial Gazette warned President Robert Mugabe and his militias from continued violence in the run-up to the 2002 presidential elections saying they risked a bloodbath from an anguished and inflamed nation.
1083-Army blackmails voters
The Daily News accused the Zimbabwe Defence Forces of blackmailing voters and said that the statement by army generals that they would not salute anyone without liberation credentials signalled that democracy in Zimbabwe was no longer in the intensive care but was dead.
1084-Gono planned to start his own party
Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee in August 2008 that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and President Robert ugabe were so weak that he intended to start his own party.
1085-Government spending spree oils banks
The government’s spending spree in the run-up to the presidential elections run off of 2008 provided commercial banks with liquidity as all the money was channelled through formal banks.
1086-US applauds EU for placing Gono on sanctions list
The United States welcomed the European Union’s addition of central bank governor Gideon Gono and some state-owned enterprises to its sanctions but urged the EU to consider listing all individuals and entities on its sanctions list.
1087-Gono allows dollarisation
Central bank governor Gideon Gono allowed partial dollarization on 10 September 2008 by licensing some wholesalers, retail shops and service stations to increase the availability of goods and improve capacity utilisation by manufacturers.
1088-Gono and Grace wanted to marginalise Tsvangirai
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono and First Lady Grace Mugabe wanted to delay the inauguration of the inclusive government and marginalise Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
1089-Gono and Chiwenga were against MDC taking on Home Affairs and Finance
Defence Forces Chief Constantine Chiwenga and central bank governor Gideon Gono were strongly opposed to the handing over of the Ministry of Home Affairs because they were afraid that the police would investigate them for corrupt activities.
1090-Who will be beheaded first- Gono, Mugabe, Mutambara, Chihuri…?
A five-minute video simulating a hostage situation of prominent Zimbabweans which was posted on YouTube and ended with the beheading of a cardboard cut-out of central bank governor Gideon Go0no after a litany of charges against him were raised, found its way onto the Wikileaks cables.
1091-Mzembi says Gono is running scared
Masvingo legislator Walter Mzembi told United States embassy officials, a month after the signing of the Global Political Agreement, that central bank governor Gideon Gono was running scared because he wanted a position in government, probably as finance minister, but was being left out of the inclusive government.
1092-Gono diverted AIDS funds
Central bank governor Gideon Gono diverted US$8 million that was meant for HIV/Aids programmes of the Zimbabwe Association of Church Hospitals and nongovernmental sub-grantees but it was not clear what the money was used for.
1093-Tsvangirai said ZANU-PF still treated MDC as junior partner
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said progress in forming an inclusive government was very slow because the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was still treating the MDC as a junior partner.
1094-Biti will fail if he tries to take over from Tsvangirai- researcher
Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who is also the secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change, will fail just like Welshman Ncube, if he tries to take over the leadership of the party from Morgan Tsvangirai, a senior researcher with the Institute of Security Studies Takawira Musavengana told diplomats in Pretoria.
1095-Mangoma says Zimbabweans must rely on themselves
Former Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma said Zimbabweans must rely on themselves to find a solution to problems in the country because the Southern African Development Community was largely ineffective.
1096-Tsvangirai frustrated but says he cannot leave inclusive government
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he was frustrated because the Movement for Democratic Change’s commitment to the Global Political Agreement had been met with nothing on the part of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front but provocative actions.
1097-Biti says Zimdollar not coming back soon
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told delegates to a mining investment conference that the Zimbabwe dollar was not going to make an early return.
1098-Biti and Mangoma say MDC will win elections despite violence
Minister of Finance Tendai Biti and then Minister of Economic Development Elton Mangoma said the Movement for Democratic Change was ready for elections and even if there was a repeat of the 2008 violence and intimidation the MDC would win the elections.
1099-Biti named best finance minister in Africa
Finance Minister Tendai Biti was named by Euromoney Emerging Markets the Best Finance Minister in Africa. Biti had withstood steady abuse from the government press for prudent policies that put a stop to the destabilising habits of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono.
1100-Mudenge tells EU Zimbabwe will not be bullied
Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge told the European Union that Zimbabwe was not happy with the arbitrary and unilateral manner in which it was making demands rather than seeking mutual consultations with Harare because this was a violation of the spirit of the partnership envisaged under the Cotonou Agreement.
1101-Writer on why the West hates Mugabe
Former film producer Olley Maruma said the West hated President Robert Mugabe because he had broken out of the straight jacket of kowtowing to American and British interests.
1102-Daily News says it is dangerous to let Zimbabwe off the hook
The Daily News said it was dangerous for the Commonwealth not to expel Zimbabwe from the organisation because this emboldened the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front into cockiness that might translate into an escalation of violence against the opposition.
1103-ZIDERA exposes lack of patriotism among Mugabe’s lieutenants
The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act had exposed the lack of patriotism among President Robert Mugabe’s lieutenants as their children were studying in London, Sydney, New York and elsewhere while children of Zimbabwe’s long-suffering tax payers were being sent to the Border Gezi Training Centre before descending on the innocent populace to mete out violence on their own parents.
1104-Chronicle lambasts prophets of doom
The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, lambasted what it called prophets of doom who were already predicting civil unrest and genocide after the presidential elections of 2002 all because the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front candidate, Robert Mugabe, was going to win.
1105-We do not need a surrogate president
The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, declared that Zimbabwe did not need a surrogate president who would always remind the nation, when he had sold everything including his soul, that the people voted for him.
1106-Herald celebrates Commonwealth decision
The Herald said the Commonwealth summit in Australia had firmly put Britain in its place when it refused to expel Zimbabwe from the organisation.
1107-Paper urges voters to tell President Robert Mugabe to go
The Financial Gazette urged Zimbabwean voters in the 2002 presidential elections to stand up with one voice and tell President Robert Mugabe to go.
1108-African diplomats felt MDC was not qualified to take over
African diplomats felt that the Movement for Democratic Change was not qualified to take over the reins of power in the run-up to the 2002 presidential elections despite the political hankerings of the Zimbabwean people.
1109-Paper says US and Britain plan to oust Mugabe
The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said the United States and Britain were planning a military offensive to oust President Robert Mugabe if he won the 2002 presidential elections which were then just two days away.
1110-The choice is simple: Fist or Palm
The Zimbabwe Independent said the choice for Zimbabweans in the 2002 presidential elections was simple. It was between the fist and the outstretched palm.
1111-D-Day for Zimbabwe
The Herald declared the first day of polling in the 2002 presidential elections as D-day because Zimbabweans had to decide their political and economic future in that election.
1112-Why Tsvangirai cannot be trusted to run the country
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai could not be trusted to run the country because he had vigorously campaigned for sanctions and power blackouts, something that directly affected the ordinary man in the street, the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said on the eve of the presidential elections in 2002.
1113-Daily News warns people cannot stand by if ZANU-PF steals the election
All the people, including the rural folk, were not going to stand idly by if the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front tried to steal the 2002 presidential elections.
1114-Mugabe wins, Tsvangirai mourns
President Robert Mugabe won the 2002 presidential elections with a 427 000 majority but his main rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change rejected the results as "the biggest fraud he has ever witnessed".
1115-Mugabe should change his vision for Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe must now begin to chart a new and different vision for Zimbabwe compared to the one he rammed through the nation for two decades, no matter how late.
1116-People will regret voting for Mugabe
People who voted for President Robert Mugabe in one of the most controversial elections would live to regret their preference for a party of violence and lies, the Daily News warned after the 2002 presidential elections which Mugabe won overwhelmingly.
1117-Mugabe pulls the most fraudulent poll in the 21st century
President Robert Mugabe pulled probably the most fraudulent poll in the 21st century when he won the 2002 presidential elections beating Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai by 427 000 votes, according to the Daily News.
1118-Big divide between privately owned and state media
The big divide between the privately owned and state owned media was clearly evident after the release of the 2002 presidential elections results with the privately owned media questioning the legitimacy of the poll and the state owned media urging the nation to move on.
1119-Chronicle talks of another plot to oust Mugabe
The Chronicle said it had uncovered another plot by the United States and Britain to oust President Robert Mugabe. This time, it said, this involved a planned three-day stay away organised by the labour movement.
1120-Daily News says Commonwealth should send clear message to Mugabe
The Daily News said the Commonwealth which was meeting to decide the fate of Zimbabwe should send a loud and clear message to President Robert Mugabe that it did not condone his behaviour in the just ended presidential elections.
1121-Mugabe must know the world is watching his every move
The suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth must serve to remind President Robert Mugabe that the rest of the world is watching his every move and will pounce on him if he continues to stray from the straight and narrow path of good governance.
1122-What kind of democracy is this?
That was the question that The Herald asked when Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth. The paper said the British had achieved what they had been fighting for.
1123-Journalists urged to fight AIPPA to the bitter end
Journalists must fight the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to the bitter end because the act is full of restrictions and barriers and reeks of the intolerance and xenophobia that has characterised the Robert Mugabe administration for years.
1124-EU bullying tactics going too far
The European Union was taking its bullying tactics too far because it held the ill-advised belief that its racist membership had the divine right to decide the fate of developing countries, the Bulawayo daily, the Chronicle, said immediately after the release of the 2002 presidential elections.
1125-Zimbabwe does not need dirty money
The United States should withhold its money if it will be used to destroy democracy and create a dependency on donor funds, the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said after the United States threatened to cut aid to African countries for accepting election results in Zimbabwe in 2002.
1126-Nyarota arrested for publishing false news
Geoff Nyarota, editor-in-chief of the Daily News, was picked up by the police on allegations of publishing a false news item on the outcome of the March 2002 presidential poll but was released on the same day.
1127-Mugabe will have same ignominious exit as Smith
President Robert Mugabe and his government will face the same ignominious exit as former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith did or it could even be worse, the Financial Gazette warned as the country celebrated its 22nd anniversary.
1128-Mugabe’s hypocrisy
President Robert Mugabe had displayed a lot of hypocrisy as the country celebrated its 22dn anniversary as he was portraying himself as a unifying dove of peace when over recent years his tone had been one of hate, bitterness and division.
1129-Where are the police?
This was the question that the Financial Gazette asked as increasing acts of banditry continued amid silence from President Robert Mugabe and lack of action by the police in dealing with the hooligans.
1130-Rare victory for Mugabe
While the local private media was still questioning President Robert Mugabe’s legitimacy, he received a tremendous morale booster when Zimbabwe was elected to the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights barely two months after his disputed victory.
1131-Mugabe believes he should rule until he drops dead!
Some African rulers like President Robert Mugabe believe that their destiny is to rule their countries until they drop dead.
1132-Mugabe, Bin Laden and Tsvangirai
There was nothing wrong for Zimbabweans to say that a British-sponsored party would never rule the country because equally the United States would never salute Osama Bin laden if he won an election in that country.
1133-Herald claims smart sanctions have failed
The Herald said President Robert Mugabe’s visit to the United Nations in May 2002, shortly after the United States had slapped smart sanctions on him and his lieutenants, was a clear indication that the smart sanctions had failed to work.
1134-Mugabe massaging own political ego
President Robert Mugabe’s visit to the United Nations indicated that massaging his own political ego was more important for President Robert Mugabe than facing head-on the problems his government had created at home.
1135-NEPAD doomed to fail if leaders ignore rogue rulers
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development was doomed to fail if founding leaders South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo did not get to grips with rogue leaders in their midst like Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
1136-Mugabe angry that white farmer cannot use land
President Robert Mugabe was angry that a white farmer could not use his land to increase production of wheat and tobacco prompting Agriculture Minister Joseph Made to announce new drastic measures to speed up the land reform.
1137-Joy TV closed down
Zimbabwe's privately owned broadcasting station, Joy TV, closed down on 31 May 2002, after its lease agreement with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation was cancelled.
1138-Daily News says travel restrictions are working
The Daily News said travel restrictions against President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants were working contrary to reports by the State-owned media but President Mugabe had only been allowed into the United States because he was on United Nations business.
1139-Lawyers accused of plotting to overthrow the government
Two Harare lawyers, Sternford Moyo and Wilbert Mapombere, were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and were released after 48 hours.
1140-Where are Mugabe’s overseas assets?
While trying to prove that the travel ban on President Robert Mugabe was ineffective because he had once again managed to travel to Rome without any hindrance, The Herald asked a very pertinent question which remains unanswered to this day, 10 years down the line: Where are Mugabe’s overseas assets?
1141-Msika, Nkomo and Ndlovu wanted Mugabe to go
Vice-President Joseph Msika and party chairman John Nkomo told former Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front supremo Eddison Zvobgo that the only solution to Zimbabwe’s crisis was for President Robert Mugabe to go.
1142-Robertson on how Zimbabwe was getting its fuel
The Mugabe administration was literally mortgaging the country’s assets to obtain fuel according to economist John Robertson.
1143-Mugabe says he means it-gays are worse than dogs and pigs
President Robert Mugabe, who had been under intense attack for his remarks that gays were worse than dogs and pigs, reiterated the same sentiments six years later saying: "When I say gays are worse than dogs and pigs, I really mean it because pigs don't do unnatural things.”
1144-Ban sanction campaigners
The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said the government should not treat its enemies with kid gloves when it was clear that they wanted to destroy the country.
1145-Businessmen challenge ZIDERA- report
A group of unnamed businessmen who had been denied entry into the United States under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act were reportedly planning to challenge the law, according to a report in the Business Tribune.
1146-Industry leaders accuse Gono of trying to buy favours to silence them
Industry leaders accused central bank governor Gideon Gono of trying to buy favours and avoid criticism from the industrial sector after he gave the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries an unsolicited gift of eight vehicles at the height of the country’s economic crisis in 2008.
1147-Herald comes to Gono’s defence over AIDS funds
The Herald came to central bank governor Gideon Gono’s defence after it had been revealed that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had diverted US$7 million that had been donated to Zimbabwe by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and malaria.
1148-Gono’s policy flip-flopping
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono reinstated the real time gross settlement scheme barely a month after suspending it against technical advice from his advisers.
1149-Gono tries to make amends for failed policies
Central bank governor Gideon Gono raised the corporate daily cash withdrawal limit from Z$1 million (US$1 on the parallel market) to the equivalent of 120 percent of the previous week’s cash bankings.
1150-Chiadzwa has to the potential to become one of the world’s largest diamond mines
The former chief executive of Zimplats, one of the country’s largest platinum producers, told United States embassy officials that Chiadzwa had the potential to become one of the world’s biggest diamond mines.
1151-Mugabe renews Gono’s term
President Robert Mugabe renewed central bank governor Gideon Gono’s term in office for five years effectively killing speculation that he would be sacked due to his lax monetary policies and extensive quasi-fiscal operations that pushed inflation through the roof.
1152-Gono pre-empts protest march
Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono increased the individual and corporate cash withdrawal limits from Z$500 000 and Z$1 million a day to Z$100 million and Z$50 million respectively with effect from 4 December defusing a scheduled protest march by civil society groups demanding unlimited cash withdrawals.
1153-Parties agree to Amendment 19
Negotiators from ZANU-PF, MDC-T, and MDC-M agreed on a draft Amendment 19 to the Zimbabwean constitution on November 27 paving the way for the formation of a government of national unity.
1154-Gono for vice-president of World Bank!
"Just as I was being dragged to the UN Security Council to be put on the sanctions list, I was offered a job by the World Bank as senior vice president with the full blessings of none other than George Bush himself".
1155-Military cut Gono out of Marange diamonds
The military cut central bank governor Gideon Gono out of the Marange diamonds in late November 2008 and was now in full control, Newman Chiadzwa told United States embassy officials on 7 January 2009.
1156-Tsvangirai says Gono is still an issue
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the appointment of central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana had to be rescinded before the MDC could join a government with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
1157-Soldiers steal Gono’s chickens
Six armed soldiers reportedly stole 175 chickens at one of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono's farms. The soldiers - who had not been paid on time - told the farm manager Gono owed them money.
1158-Zimbabwe has second longest unbroken multiparty democracy in Africa
Zimbabwe had the second longest unbroken record as a multiparty democracy in Africa so it was surprised as to why the United States was complaining about the breakdown of the rule of law and human rights and lack of democracy.
1159-Zimbabwe is not a punch bag for Western nations
Zimbabwe was not a punch bag for bullies from the Western world who, while preaching democracy, had autocratic foreign policies. This was said by the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, in an editorial in which the paper supported President Robert Mugabe’s threats to hit back at the Western nations by imposing sanctions on them as well.
1160-Did Mugabe pay US blacks to support him?
A group of African Americans who visited Zimbabwe in August 2002 came under fire from the Daily News which accused them of being used as a propaganda tool by President Robert Mugabe to demonstrate that his land reform programme had international support.
1161-Media hype before earth summit
Pro-government papers hailed the World Summit for Sustainable Development in South Africa as the unique platform for President Robert Mugabe to set the record straight on the land issue.
1162-Media play up US plot to oust Mugabe
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front newspaper, The People’s Voice, called it American madness. But it warned that no Western power was mighty enough to intimidate the heroic people of Zimbabwe.
1163-Earth summit, another useless talk shop
The World Summit on Sustainable Development was going to be another useless talk shop as people like President Robert Mugabe were going to talk about eradicating poverty and disease and empowering their nations and protecting the country’s national resources yet back home he would be all out to crush opponents and all voices of democracy.
1164-Perceptions of what Mugabe said at earth summit
President Robert Mugabe’s: "So Blair, keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe," speech at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, received mixed reaction from the country’s two leading dailies.
1165-Five years of ruinous policy
President Robert Mugabe had embarked on a ruinous path which had seen gross domestic product decline by 35 percent between 1998 and 2002 and there was no prospect for recovery without a sweeping policy overhaul.
1166-How to manipulate the Zimbabwe media
It was an elaborate dress rehearsal. Everything was planned to the last detail. There would be 12 to 15 journalists. The two United States diplomats would sit as planned with the US and Zimbabwe flags behind them. The press would be seated in a semi-circle because the effect sought was conversational.
1167-SADC sees the light at last
The Daily News applauded the Southern African Development Community’s decision to block President Robert Mugabe from the SADC chairmanship saying the regional organisation had seen the light at last.
1168-Government starves commercial sector to hide fuel shortage
Fuel queues disappeared abruptly over one weekend in October 2002 giving an impression that the government had addressed the fuel shortage in the country but what had happened was that it had ordered suppliers to starve commercial clients to serve retail customers only.
1169-USAID-funded poll surprises even the Americans
A United States Agency for International Development-funded opinion poll conducted by the Mass Public Opinion Institute surprised United States embassy officials when it revealed that people were evenly divided over the fairness of the 2002 presidential poll.
1170-Tsvangirai calls on UN to intervene in Zimbabwe to stop civil war
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in October 2002 appealed to United States President George Bush to appeal to the United Nations Security Council to intervene in Zimbabwe to stop a bloodbath bath in Zimbabwe.
1171-Business tries to engage Mugabe
The heads of eight large business corporations launched the Business Initiative in Zimbabwe to build dialogue with President Robert Mugabe’s government hoping to win the President’s trust by underwriting projects that he approved of.
1172-Will the economy implode?
Zimbabwe’s economy was shrinking by one percent every month around 2002 that the United States embassy asked whether it would implode.
1173-Ncube urged US to expel children of those on its sanctions list
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Welshman Ncube said sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants were effective in turning the heat on Zimbabwe’s primary decision makers but he expressed concern that an asset freeze had not been implemented.
1174-Tsvangirai accuses Britain and South Africa of trying to maintain ZANU-PF in power
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai on 18 December 2002 accused Britain and South Africa of working with elements in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front the maintain ZANU-PF’s hold on power.
1175-ANC agreed to a plan for Mnangagwa to take over from Mugabe
The African National Congress of South Africa allegedly bought into a plan by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front under which President Robert Mugabe was to serve his term but would appoint Emmerson Mnangagwa as Prime Minister to gradually take over most of the executive functions from him.
1176-Zvobgo was working to force Mugabe out
Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front supremo Eddison Zvobgo told United States embassy officials that he and a group of dissatisfied party cadres were working to force President Robert Mugabe out.
1177-Witness implicates US in Mugabe assassination plot
A key state witness in the trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s treason trial said the United States government new about the alleged assassination plot of President Robert Mugabe because one of the participants at his meetings with Tsvangirai was a Central Intelligence Agency official.
1178-US ambassador says no government can reverse land reform in Zimbabwe
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said way back in 2003 that though he felt that land reform in Zimbabwe was unjust and devastating to agriculture, he did not believe that any future government could completely reverse it or pay full compensation.
1179-Paper praises France for its stance on Zimbabwe
The Daily Mirror praised France for inviting Zimbabwe to the Franco-African summit in Paris saying France had a clearer vision of present day international relations than Britain and the United States.
1180-Mugabe says US and UK are trying to impose new colonialism on Third World
President Robert Mugabe has accused the United States and the United Kingdom of trying to impose a new form of colonialism on developing countries.
1181-Government opens up but……….
The government abandoned its fanciful official exchange rate of Z$55 to a greenback to Z$824 to US$1 and brought up tariffs for fuel and energy more in line with their US dollar values but there were fears that this might not be enough to resuscitate the economy that had been in free fall for five years.
1182-Food donor surprised Msipa is a politician after all
The assistant country director of CARE International Stephen Gwynne-Vaughn was surprised that Midlands provincial governor Cephas Msipa was a politician after all when he distributed fertilizer at a function at which his organisation was launching its food distribution programme to the people of Lower Gweru.
1183-Zimbabwe media and the war in Iraq
The Zimbabwean media, both state-owned and privately owned, used the war in Iraq to advance their own political messages though in most cases their sources of news were the same.
1184-Mugabe ready to leave but……
Nathan Shamuyarira, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front spokesman and close ally of President Robert Mugabe, told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan way back in 2003 that Mugabe was ready to retire any time even before the end of his term but he wanted a dignified exit.
1185-Daily news says journalist’s deportation will not silence journalists
The Daily News said the deportation of American journalist Andrew Meldrum was not going to silence him or other journalists. “Through its deportation of Meldrum, President Robert Mugabe's regime has merely added to the list of journalists who are determined to tell the true story of Zimbabwe, even if they have to do it from beyond the country's borders,” the paper said.
1186-Economic slide continues
Zimbabwe’s economic slide continued with fuel lines getting longer, sometimes reaching 4 kilometres, and according to the United States embassy business leaders were increasingly joining the Movement for Democratic Change’s call for a final push.
1187-Army and police should not side with tyranny
The first duty of the army and the police is to the people of the Zimbabwe. They cannot and must not side with tyranny. This was said by the Daily News in May 2003 when it urged the security forces not to use strong-arm tactics against demonstrators who were going to participate in an anti-government protest that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change.
1188-Tsvangirai must pay for his sins
The divide between the State-owned and privately-owned media was amply demonstrated in the run-up to the proposed week-long anti-government demonstration that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change in June 2003.
1189-Shamuyarira accuses US and UK of backing a coup
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira accused the United States and Britain of backing what he called a coup d’état.
1190-Tsvangirai arrested ahead of protest
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested on the first day of the proposed week-long protest aimed at forcing President Robert Mugabe to step down.
1191-If you break the law do it once to seize power!
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters had followed Julius Caesar’s advice- if you break the law do it once to seize power- but they had failed to seize power, the Herald commented after the first day of the proposed week-long anti-government demonstration to force President Robert Mugabe to step down.
1192-US outlines its plans for Zimbabwe after Mugabe
The United States showed why it was interested in Zimbabwe when the Movement for Democratic Change launched a week-long anti-government protest aimed at forcing President Robert Mugabe out of office.
1193-Did West pour billions into MDC protest?
The State-owned Herald claimed on 4 June 2003, two days after the start of a week-long protest called by the Movement for Democratic Change to topple President Robert Mugabe, that the West had poured billions of dollars into the protest but was now “red in the face” because the exercise had been futile.
1194-Daily News asks Tsvangirai: what next?
The Daily News which hailed the week-long anti-government protest that had been called by the Movement for Democratic Change to force President Robert Mugabe to step down went for MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai asking him that now the protest was over what was he going to do next.
1195-Delusionist in State House!
The success of the week-long anti-government demonstration called by the Movement for Democratic Change had drawn the attention of the country and the world to the connection between brutal misrule and economic collapse, the Independent said.
1196-Mugabe is finished politically
President Robert Mugabe is finished politically and can no longer stand up and brazenly claim that the people are behind him. This was the view of the Daily News on Sunday after the week-long anti-government protest that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change to force Mugabe to step down.
1197-Mugabe still packs a punch
President Robert Mugabe went on the offensive after the week-long anti-government demonstration that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change to force him to step down declaring: "I am ready for a fight, I am getting younger..., and I still can punch."
1198-Daily News says Mugabe must take up US offer to pull Zimbabwe out of crisis
The Daily News said Zimbabweans must not allow President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to sacrifice on the alter ego the latest opportunity offered by the United States to pull Zimbabwe out of crisis.
1199-Herald brushes off Powell as an Uncle Tom and slow learner
The State-owned Herald brushed off United States Secretary of State Colin Powell as a boot-licking Uncle Tom and a disappointing slow learner.
1200-Mugabe and Tsvangirai in a quandary over GPA
President Robert Mugabe did not want the inclusive government to collapse and at the same time the Movement for Democratic Change did not have a Plan B except for elections.
1201-Biti’s budget woes
Finance Minister Tendai Biti told diplomats in October 2009 that though government revenue had risen to US$90 million a month, 20 times more than his ministry had been getting when he assumed office, it still fell short of government spending.
1202-IMF worried about continuing mismanagement at RBZ
The International Monetary Fund warned that Zimbabwe’s fragile economic recovery could be derailed by mismanagement at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
1203-NGO bemoans MDC’s underestimation of ZANU-PF
The leader of a non-governmental organisation who was described by the United States embassy as a long time political analyst in Zimbabwe bemoaned the Movement for Democratic Change’s clumsy political missteps, its underestimation of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, and lack of political forethought.
1204-MDC’s Majome says Chinamasa is frank and open but is undermining her
Deputy Minister of Justice Jessie Majome described her job as a fight against “constant marginalisation” because her boss Patrick Chinamasa, attorney general Johannes Tomana and permanent secretary David Mangota were undermining her.
1205-EU working on a programme to remove security chiefs as a threat!
Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe Stan Rylander said the European Union was working with a group of Zimbabweans to craft a programme that would remove the security chiefs as a threat to future reform, but he told United States embassy officials that this must be handled carefully.
1206-Biti gains confidence
Finance Minister Tendai Biti had gained some confidence after his first year in office and announced a 2010 budget that had an US$810 million deficit. Biti who had insisted on spending what the government had announced a US$2.25 billion budget when revenue was expected to be only US$1.44 billion.
1207-Mining recovers but
Zimbabwe’s mining sector was expected to grow by two percent in 2009 after a decade of steep decline but there were fears that the new indigenisation laws could slow down the growth.
1208-Swazi diplomat says Mugabe is a political Maradona
Swaziland principal secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Clifford Mamba described President Robert Mugabe as a “political Maradona” who was adept at keeping regional leaders on his side.
1209-Tsvangirai says Gono is the lesser of two evils
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray that although his party was pushing for the resignations of central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana because their appointments were illegal, they preferred to see Tomana step down.
1210-Zimbabwe short of 1000 MW, but exports electricity
Zimbabwe was short of 1 000 megawatts of power but was exporting 150 megawatts to Namibia to pay for the refurbishment of four plants at its Hwange Thermal Power Station.
1211-US ambassador says sanctions do not keep investors out of Zimbabwe
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray said sanctions were not keeping investors out of Zimbabwe because they could manage economic and security risks. “What keeps them away is political risk”.
1212-Biti asks US to lift sanctions on three banks
Finance Minister Tendai Biti wrote to the United States government to lift sanctions on three banks, the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe, Agribank and ZB Bank and Building Society, to speed up economic reforms.
1213-No land audit until sanctions are lifted
Agriculture Minister Joseph Made told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray way back in January 2010 that there would be no land audit in Zimbabwe until sanctions had been lifted.
1214-Biti the only MDC leader who has the respect of SADC chiefs
Movement for Democratic Change secretary general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti was the only MDC leader who had the respect of the Southern African Development Community chiefs, Democratic Republic of Congo ambassador Bene M’Poko said.
1215-Military chiefs worried about Tsvangirai victory
Military chiefs were worried about a victory by Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai way back in 2000 because it was not clear whether he would grant them amnesty. The worry stemmed from the fact that the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had just lost the referendum for a new constitution, its first defeat in 20 years.
1216-Nkomo says no harm will come to Tsvangirai
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front chairman John Nkomo assured United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald in the run up to the 2000 parliamentary elections that no harm was going to come to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai but at the same time he warned the opposition leader to be careful.
1217-MDC official says no amnesty for Chihuri
The Movement for Democratic Change planned to offer amnesty to 10 of Zimbabwe’s top military leaders but this was not going to include police chief Augustine Chihuri because he was “hopeless”. This was disclosed to United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald by businessman Clive Puzey who led an MDC delegation that met McDonald on 10 April 2000.
1218-Three killed as violence escalates
Two members of the Movement for Democratic Change and a white farmer were killed as violence escalated in the run-up to the 2000 elections and continued farm occupations. The two MDC members were killed on 15 April when the truck they were in which carried party supporters was attacked and stopped by gun-totting assailants who went on to firebomb the vehicle.
1219-Farmers’ leader complaints violence is not being fully reported
The head of the Commercial Farmers Union Tim Henwood complained to the United States embassy that the media was not picking up on numerous and severe beatings of black farm workers by war veterans.
1220-Tsvangirai criticises US for focussing on DRC and not Zimbabwe
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai criticised the United States for what he perceived to be its emphasis on engaging President Robert Mugabe on the Democratic Republic of Congo crisis at the expense of domestic problems in Zimbabwe.
1221-Mugabe calling all the shots
President Robert Mugabe, smarting from his first defeat in the referendum for the new constitution, was calling all the shots as violence escalated in the run-up to the June 2000 elections. No one, not even his deputy Joseph Msika or Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa or powerful war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi, could stop the violence after Mugabe had said no one was moving from the farms that they had occupied.
1222-Greed is colour blind
The war against white farmers in the run-up to the 200 elections was not racist. It was about greed. The farmers were being targetted because they possessed wealth, the United States embassy said in a cable dispatched on 11 May 2000.
1223-Rumour mill gives MDC victory
The Movement for Democratic Change was reported to have won 60 percent of the constituencies in the 2000 elections, according to the rumour mill which was spurred by the party’s victories in Matabeleland.
1224-Bennett says MDC is good at campaigning not governing
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett said the party was good at campaigning but it lacked a cadre of people who knew how to run a government.
1225-Biti blasts ZANU-PF
Finance Minister and Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti blasted the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front for attempting to sabotage the inclusive government.
1226-Tsvangirai says Makoni is a coward
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told an officer of the British High Commission that Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front member Simba Makoni was a coward when he accepted the post of Minister of Finance.
1227-Senior police try to keep their juniors in check
Support for the Movement for Democratic Change was growing in the Zimbabwe Republic Police forcing senior police officers to pile pressure on their juniors to crack down on the MDC.
1228-Mujuru asked MDC for amnesty in return for coalition government
Former army commander Solomon Mujuru approached the Movement for Democratic Change without the knowledge of President Robert Mugabe to agree to a complete amnesty of current and past government officials and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic front leaders in return for a coalition government way back in 2000.
1229-Investors showing renewed interest in Zimbabwe
Investors were showing renewed interest in Zimbabwe due to the country's abundant natural resources and well-educated populace way back in February 2010, according to a cable dispatched by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray ahead of a visit by a congressional delegation led by Gregory Meeks.
1230-UK can’t find why eight parastatals were put on EU sanctions
The head of the Zimbabwe unit in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office John Dennis said research by the British government had failed to establish why eight Zimbabwean parastatals were put on sanctions in the first place.
1231-US assessment of inclusive government after one year in office
The United States remained convinced that there would be no real change until there was an election that would bring a reform government to power. That was its assessment of the inclusive government after its first year in office but two more years have passed since then.
1232-Tsvangirai says Mugabe will not last another six months
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting United States delegation in December 2002 that President Robert Mugabe would not last another six months.
1233-Packages galore for Mugabe to step down
Several packages were lined up towards the end of 2000 for President Robert Mugabe to step down and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had agreed to Mugabe’s graceful exit because it was in Zimbabwe’s national interest, according to MDC advisor Clive Puzey.
1234-Tsvangirai says it would be risky to make him disappear
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that although a lot of people would like to see him “disappear from the face of the earth” this would be quite risky for the government.
1235-Tsvangirai questioned over “Mugabe should go peacefully” remark
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was questioned for two hours over his 30 September 2000 remark that President Robert Mugabe “should go peacefully..if not , we will remove you violently”.
1236-Chindori-Chininga dodges Mugabe succession issue
Deputy Minister of Mines Edward Chindori-Chininga told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that there were two issues to President Robert Mugabe’s succession issue: whether he should contest the 2002 elections or he should step down as head of state but remain party leader.
1237-Did MDC ask US to help remove Mugabe or not?
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had to personally meet United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald to apologise for a diplomatic embarrassment after a press release from his party had implied that the party had asked the US for help to remove President Robert Mugabe from power.
1238-US ambassador says Tsvangirai and MDC are distracted and unfocussed
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald was thrilled when Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told him that the party had not yet decided on whether to go ahead with the planned mass action in December or not.
1239-The four scenarios that the MDC faced
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told diplomats on 21 November 2000 that his party was considering four scenarios for its role in Zimbabwe.
1240-MDC cancels mass action but keeps government guessing
The Movement for Democratic Change cancelled the mass action proposed for December 2000 but party president Morgan Tsvangirai said the mass action had been “deferred indefinitely” but would be “constantly reviewed” to put pressure on the government to hold early presidential elections.
1241-ZANU-PF wins Marondera by-election
The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front won the Marondera by-election but its candidate Ambrose Mutinhiri, a retired brigadier general and former ambassador to Yugoslavia, garnered far fewer votes than his predecessor whose death in a car accident brought about the by-election.
1242-How to get Mugabe out
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said twelve years ago the military was one of the major influences on President Robert Mugabe, with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and regional leaders being the other two, so all three had to turn against him to force Mugabe to leave the scene.
1243-Bikita poll marred by violence
The Bikita West by-election which had been necessitated by the death of Amos Mutongi of the Movement for Democratic Change was marred by violence as the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front went all out to regain the seat it had held before the June 2000 elections.
1244-Dealing with Mugabe the consummate survivor
Although presidential elections were just a year away, the United States embassy in Harare was so convinced that President Robert Mugabe would not just go away and mapped out strategies to deal with him and recommended action that the new United States government under George Bush should take.
1245-US embassy feared Zindoga might cut off ties between ZCTU and MDC
The United States embassy in Harare was worried that acting secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Isidore Zindoga, who was suspected of being either a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation or the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front might cut off ties between the labour movement and the Movement for Democratic Change if he was elected secretary general.
1246-ZANU-PF offered MDC 40% of cabinet seats if it entered GNU in 2001
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front offered the Movement for Democratic Change 40 percent of the cabinet posts in government as well as one vice-presidency if it entered into a government of national unity.
1247-Mugabe predicted to win one year before elections
University of Zimbabwe research fellow Brian Raftopoulos, described by the United States embassy as one of Zimbabwe's best thinkers with an uncanny knack for predicting events that come to pass, said President Robert Mugabe was going to win the 2002 presidential elections which were more than a year away but this would be an illegitimate election.
1248-Mugabe behind offer for GNU
President Robert Mugabe was behind the offer for a government of national unity made by Speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa, Movement for Democratic Change advisor Clive Puzey said.
1249-Winning an election is different from winning power- Tsvangirai
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the British more than a decade ago that winning an election was very different from winning power.
1250-Pro-MDC element carries the day at ZCTU congress
The pro-Movement for Democratic Change element of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions took control of the labour movement at its congress when Lovemore Matombo was elected president and Wellington Chibhebhe secretary-general.
1251-ZANU-PF vote buying fails
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front bagmen came to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions congress in 2001 with bags of money to buy votes for pro-ZANU-PF candidates but the plan flopped.
1252-Labour issues pushed to the backburner at ZCTU Congress
Politics dominated the elections of the new executive of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in 2001 while purely labour issues were pushed to the backburner.
1253-Tsvangirai was opposed to sanctions- Wikileaks reveals
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was opposed to the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe arguing that they would hurt ordinary Zimbabweans and not the intended target, a cable released by Wikileaks says.
1254-Security forces not taking chances with MDC in Chitungwiza
Zimbabwe’s security forces were not taking any chances in Chitungwiza because it had become the largest potential hotbed for anti-government demonstrations in the country, the United States embassy said.
1255-Only Queen of England can convince Mugabe to change his behaviour
The United States needed to send an eminent person like its former ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young to encourage President Robert Mugabe to moderate his policies, former Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Welshman Ncube told US acting principal deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Bellamy.
1256-Marathon SADC meeting sets date for Tsvangirai swearing in
A marathon Southern African Development Community Extraordinary Summit meeting ended at about 4 am on 27 January 2009 with the regional organisation declaring that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai should be sworn in on February 11 as Prime Minister with cabinet ministers being sworn in two days later.
1257-Tsvangirai says Mugabe needs me more than I need him
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he was not happy with the allocation of ministries in the inclusive government but he had agreed to join the government for the sake of the people. He said the only way the Movement for Democratic Change could save the people was by joining the government.
1258-Tsvangirai says his first order of business is to replace Gono
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told diplomats six days before his swearing in that his first order of business would be to replace central bank governor Gideon Gono because he had become a liability who continued to violate laws.
1259-Gono embraces market policies at last
Central bank governor Gideon Gono in what appeared to be his last monetary policy statement under the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front government announced the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, removed 12 zeros from the Zimbabwe dollar but said the local currency would remain on the market.
1260-Gono's bank accuses him of trying to protect ZANU-PF cronies
A senior executive of the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, where central bank governor Gideon Gono served was chief executive officer before moving to the central bank, said Gono had set the foreign exchange withdrawal ceiling too high probably to allow ZANU-PF cronies to move large amounts of money out of the country easily but to the detriment of the banking sector.
1261-Gono frees gold but clamps on platinum and diamond producers
Central bank governor Gideon Gono announced in his latest monetary policy statement that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was allowing gold producers to sell their own bullion. But at the same time he revoked the concession allowing platinum and diamond miners to keep offshore foreign currency accounts saying they should hold accounts with local banks.
1262-US said it could work with Qadhafi to advance its interests
The United States said, as late as January 2009, though some African heads of state viewed the election of Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi as African Union chair as a “lost year” there were areas where it could work with Libya to advance its interests towards engagement with the AU.
1263-Tsvangirai challenges ZANU-PF actions
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was caught by surprise when President Robert Mugabe reassigned a number of permanent secretaries without consulting him.
1264-Mugabe says Gono will not go
President Robert Mugabe said he did not see any reason why the people he had appointed recently, including central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana, should go, and they were not going to go.
1265-The MDC’s big mistake
The Movement for Democratic Change, which embarked on the major restructuring exercise with the appointment of Isaac Maposa as national coordinator, was making a big mistake in assuming that the popularity of the party would translate into electoral triumph in the 2002 presidential elections.
1266-Tsvangirai case referred to Supreme Court
High Court judge Moses Chinhengo on 7 May 2001 referred the case of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to the Supreme Court at the request of his lawyer Chris Andersen.
1267-Zvobgo says people of Masvingo are disenchanted with Mugabe
Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front provincial supremo Eddison Zvobgo said he was not going to campaign for the party candidate in the Masvingo mayoral elections to show his disenchantment.
1268-US tries to dictate the course for Zimbabwe
The United States embassy hosted a reception for an International Monetary Fund mission team, barely a month after the swearing in of the inclusive government, and tried to dictate to the team what was wrong with Zimbabwe.
1269-Tsvangirai says violence does not pay
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said political parties that rely on violence to win elections have no place in the new democratic dispensation.
1270-Tsvangirai says three quarters of the armed forces are with us
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said although the military’s top brass was solidly behind President Robert Mugabe, three quarters of the armed forces were with the MDC.
1271-US embassy says Chief Justice Chidyausiku is a ZANU-PF stooge
The United States embassy described current Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku as a Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front stooge.
1272-ZANU-PF wins key by-election
The Zimbabwe African national Union-Patriotic Front won a key by-election in its stronghold of Mashonaland Central when its candidate Elliot Manyika won the Bindura seat to replace Border Gezi.
1273-Tsvangirai says Mugabe mistrusts everyone
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said his party was prepared to let President Robert Mugabe retire and live in peace but the Zimbabwean leader “doesn’t believe us”.
1274-Tsvangirai needs armoured car
The National Coordinator of the Movement for Democratic Change Isaac Maposa told a visiting United States senate delegation that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai needed an armoured car ahead of the 2002 presidential elections.
1275-Poll confusing
A poll by the Financial Gazette revealed confusing results with unweighted data showing that President Robert Mugabe would win the 2002 presidential elections while the weighted data showed that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai would win.
1276-Mugabe walks out on EU team
President Robert Mugabe walked out of a meeting with a European Union delegation when they asked about election observers for the 2002 presidential elections saying they should leave Zimbabwe alone because it was capable of conducting elections on its own.
1277-Mudede is like a referee who throws away the whistle to join one team
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the registrar-general Tobaiwa Mudede was a ZANU-PF partisan who acted like a referee who throws away his whistle and joins one team.
1278-Tsvangirai charged with possessing walkie-talkie
In what his lawyer described as pure harassment Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was charged with possessing an unlicenced radio- one of the walkie-talkies used by his bodyguards.
1279-Mugabe closer to having his ideal court
President Robert Mugabe got closer to having his ideal court when two independent judges Nicholas McNally and Simbarashe Muchechetere left the scene, one through death and the other by resigning, according to the United States embassy.
1280-Military says it will not salute anyone without liberation credentials
Zimbabwe’s military and security chiefs announced on 9 January 2002, two months before the presidential elections, that they would not tolerate any president who did not observe the objectives of the liberation struggle.
1281-Zvobgo planned to ditch Mugabe for Tsvangirai two weeks before elections
Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front provincial supremo Eddison Zvobgo planned to ditch President Robert Mugabe and endorse Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai two weeks before the 2002 presidential elections in exchange for the post of Speaker of Parliament.
1282-Tsvangirai told British land reform was least priority
The United States and British governments were so convinced that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai would win the 2002 presidential elections that they were working on ways to bail out the MDC government, a month before the elections.
1283-US embassy says MDC’s aid request is unrealistic
The United States embassy said the sum required by the Movement for Democratic Change for the transition period, which exceeded US$1 billion, was unrealistic but at least it showed that the party was aware of the enormity of the challenges that it faced.
1284-US embassy says Mugabe is firing a dud
The United States embassy brushed off reports that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had planned to assassinate President Robert Mugabe saying this was just another attempt to discredit Tsvangirai ahead of the presidential elections.
1285-Nigerian security adviser wondered how MDC could govern
Nigeria’s national security adviser Aliyu Mohammed told United States embassy officials in Abuja that President Olusegun Obasanjo had asked President Robert Mugabe to consider retirement during his trip to Harare in January 2002 but Mugabe had said he could only consider retiring after winning the presidential elections.
1286-Mugabe agreed to GNU as long as Tsvangirai was not in it
President Robert Mugabe agreed to a government of national unity shortly after winning the 2002 presidential elections so long as Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was not included in it.
1287-Tsvangirai charged with treason
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was formally charged with treason on 20 March 2002, just a week after losing the presidential elections.
1288-MDC files challenge of presidential elections
The Movement for Democratic Change on 12 April filed a 135-page legal challenge of the March 2002 presidential elections which were won by President Robert Mugabe.
1289-Joy TV suspends BBC news
The country’s only nominally private television station Joy TV suspended British Broadcasting Corporation news programming without any explanation.
1290-Tsvangirai wanted Tsumba to replace Gono
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana had to go and Gono could be replaced by former central bank governor Leonard Tsumba.
1291-Tomana a bigger issue than Gono
President Robert Mugabe could not fire central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney general Johannes Tomana because Gono still provided Mugabe with funds while Tomana was a useful tool to harass and distract political opponents.
1292-Bloch says Gono is a genius
Bulawayo business consultant Eric Bloch said central bank governor Gideon Gono was a genius who should be allowed to see his second term in office out because his removal would not be in the best interest of Zimbabweans.
1293-Bennett says villagers speak about two main issues: Gono and justice
Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett told a United States congressional delegation that villagers across Zimbabwe consistently spoke about two main issues that should be resolved: the continued tenure of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and the need for some form of justice.
1294-Minister says multi donor trust fund is state avoidance mechanism
The Minister of Regional Integration Priscillah Misiharibwi-Mushonga said the multi-donor trust fund, a transitional financial structure to ensure the proper use of foreign assistance was a “state avoidance” mechanism to address donor concerns with the misuse of funds by central bank governor Gideon Gono.
1295-IMF says Gono not important as long as there is strong board
The head of an International Monetary Fund mission to Zimbabwe Vitaly Kramenko said the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe remained problematic but the continuation of Gideon Gono as central bank governor and board chair was not critically important as long as the rest of the board was made up of strong, independent members.
1296-Ministers give principals one week to report on outstanding issues
Movement for Democratic Change cabinet ministers pressed all principals, President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, to resolve all outstanding issues and report back within a week.
1297-Why Tsvangirai will not allow inclusive government to collapse
The inclusive government which brought together the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front three years ago will not collapse because Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai views its failure as a personal failure.
1298-MDC was prepared to accommodate Gono to get rid of Tomana
The Movement for Democratic Change was prepared to accept the retaining of central bank governor Gideon Gono in return for the firing of attorney-general Johannes Tomana because Tomana was “much more destructive”.
1299-Gono’s wings clipped but RBZ bill criticised
A bill that will clip the wings of the Reserve bank of Zimbabwe governor is before parliament but critics fear that the bill was personalised and might have to be amended to create a more independent central bank.
1300-Armed robberies force people to deposit money in banks
An increase in armed robberies had forced many people to deposit money in banks for the sake of security otherwise most Zimbabweans were still sceptical about putting their money in banks.
1301-Gono spins SDR allocation
Central bank governor Gideon Gono reportedly told The Herald that the International Monetary Fund had finally agreed to give Zimbabwe $500 million after months of behind the scenes interaction with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe when in fact this was a new allocation of special drawing rights to all IMF members.
1302-Tsvangirai says Mugabe is a tyrant
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said President Robert Mugabe was a tyrant who had ignored democratic principles and become isolationist because of his belief that the West had shunned him due to his land reform programme.
1303-New 112-room mansion for Gono
Central bank governor Gideon Gono was reported to have moved into his new 112-room mansion on the outskirts of Harare. The new residence was reported to feature an art gallery, a billiard room, a swimming pool with three islands, and four helipads.
1304-Gono wins Ig Nobel Prize
Reserve Bank Gideon Gono received the Ig Nobel Prize in Mathematics on 1 October 2009 for "giving people a simple, everyday way to cope with a wide range of numbers - from very small to very big - by having his bank print bank notes with denominations ranging from one cent ($.01) to one hundred trillion dollars ($100,000,000,000,000)".
1305-MDC pull out in 2009 was all a façade
The Movement for Democratic Change’s pull out from the government in October 2009 was all a façade aimed at wringing concessions from the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front and getting the sympathy of the Southern African Development Community.
1306-Tsvangirai says ZANU-PF is taking him for a ride
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told diplomats that the Movement for Democratic Change had pulled out of the government because the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was taking him for a ride.
1307-Gono used $40 million of banks’ reserves without authorisation
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono used US$40 million of the banks’ reserves lodged with the central bank without authorisation and it is not clear what the money was used for, Minister of Economic Development at the time Elton Mangoma told United States diplomats.
1308-Gono not formally joining ZANU-PF
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor refused to take up the post of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for finance for Manicaland province saying this would contradict the apolitical nature of his RBZ role and also because of his “enormous national commitments”.
1309-DRC ambassador says Gono is profiteering
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Mawapanga Mwana Nanga said central bank governor Gideon Gono must have been profiteering from his actions because the things that he was doing did not make sense.
1310-Gono sells his bank to Germans
Central bank governor Gideon Gono approved in record time the sale of 54 percent of Premier Bank to German investors in a deal worth $6 million unilaterally fast-tracking a waiver on the country’s stringent banking and indigenisation laws.
1311-ZANU-PF MP lauds sidelining of Gono
A Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front legislator Simba Mudarikwa told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray in February 2010 that one of the most important achievements of the inclusive government was the sidelining of central bank governor Gideon Gono. Mudarikwa whose name was crossed out in the cable origi
1312-History of ANC and ZANU-PF not as close as people think
The history between the African National Congress of South Africa and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was not as close as people think, South Africa’s High Commission to Zimbabwe Zola Skweyiya said. While welcoming establishment of the media, elections, and human rights commissions, he said the commission leaders would be critical for progress.
1313-ZANU-PF requests suspension of talks with MDC
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front on 9 May 2002 requested the suspension of talks with the Movement for Democratic Change citing as one of the reasons the MDC’s challenge of the presidential elections which President Robert Mugabe had won in March.
1314-Obasanjo says talks will continue
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of the facilitators of the talks between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change, said the talks between the two parties would continue even if he had to travel to Harare personally to make that happen.
1315-MDC plans mass action to force Mugabe out
The Movement for Democratic Change was left with no option but to organise mass action to force President Robert Mugabe out after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leader insisted his party would not participate in inter-party talks until after the courts had ruled on the MDC’s legal challenge of the presidential elections.
1316-Tsvangirai says MDC is under pressure from the people
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting United States delegation that his party was under pressure to craft a firm response to the stolen presidential election as Zimbabweans were angry and did not accept the status quo.
1317-Zimbabwe dollar plummets
The Zimbabwe dollar plunged by 70 percent in three weeks but what was more disturbing was that no one knew when the slide would end. The United States embassy said as the parallel forex market was a free market, it was largely supply and demand that determined the price and the fundamental reason for the slide was that demand exceeded supply.
1318-Government said MDC could not hire South African lawyer
The government denied a request by the Movement for Democratic Change to hire a South African lawyer Jeremy Gauntlett to represent party leader Morgan Tsvangirai in his challenge of the presidential election results. The MDC required clearance from the Ministry of Justice to hire a lawyer from outside the country.
1319-ZANU-PF wins Kadoma mayoral seat
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front won the Kadoma mayoral seat by a slim margin with its candidate Fani Phiri polling 6 886 votes against the Movement for Democratic Change’s Editor Matamisa who won 6 214 votes.
1320-Tsvangirai advised not to attend Heroes Day for security reasons
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was advised not to attend the Heroes Day celebrations because his security could not be guaranteed. Several MDC Members of Parliament attended the event.
1321-Zvobgo says Tsvangirai case will be dismissed
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Masvingo provincial supremo Eddison Zvobgo said the treason case against Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was going to be dismissed because of the inadmissibility of the implicating videotape.
1322-Cross says ZANU-PF manipulation of food should be referred to UNSC
The Movement for Democratic Change’s secretary for Economic Affairs Eddie Cross said the government’s manipulation of food deliveries should be referred to the United Nations Security Council as this was a major human rights issue.
1323-Tsvangirai held in suspense for four months
The government postponed the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to February 2003, thus keeping him in suspense for four months since the state would be holding his passport.
1324-Gandi Mudzingwa says planning for mass action taking most of his time
Gandi Mudzingwa, special advisor to the Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said planning for mass action was taking most of his time and attention. He said groups of 20 women, each, had converged on police stations in Harare’s high density suburbs to deliver a petition demanding that the people’s human rights be respected.
1325-Tsvangirai complains about Zuma to Mbeki
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai complained to South African President Thabo Mbeki about the way his Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma was handling the Zimbabwean crisis. In a letter to Mbeki Tsvangirai complained that Dlamini Zuma was only talking to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and not the MDC.
1326-Tsvangirai says Mugabe will not last another six months
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting United States delegation in December 2002 that President Robert Mugabe would not last another six months.
Ten years down the line, they are in government together and Mugabe who is now 88 says he will contest the next elections.
1327-Mudzuri gaining support at the expense of Tsvangirai
The mayor of Harare Elias Mudzuri was gaining support at the expense of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai as people were beginning to question the effectiveness of Tsvangirai’s approach to the Zimbabwean problem.
1328-Too early to celebrate!
Innocent Chagonda, the lawyer for Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in his treason case, was confident about winning his case but the United States embassy warned that the stakes were high and there were signs that should worry the MDC.
1329-Journalists arrested at Tsvangirai’s trial
Two journalists Pedzisayi Ruhanya of the Daily News and Ishmael Mafundikwa, a freelance journalist, were arrested outside the High Court in Harare as they sought entrance to cover the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his two lieutenants.
1330-Government agreed to pay Ben Menashe US$1 million
Ari Ben Menashe, the star witness in the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said the government had agreed to pay him US$1 million for his services and had already paid $400 000.
1331-Tsvangirai’s lawyer exposes Ben Menashe’s unfulfilled government contracts
George Bizos, the lead lawyer for Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, trashed Ari Ben Menashe’s credibility when he exposed that he had signed a number of contracts with governments for which he was paid but never delivered.
1332-Ben Menashe dodges defence lawyer’s questions
Ari Ben Menashe, the key state witness in the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, continued to dodge questions from Tsvangirai’s lead lawyer George Bizos who also appeared to be playing to the gallery.
1333-Judge arrested
High Court judge Benjamin Paradza was arrested for allegedly trying to influence three fellow judges to release the passport of his business partner and friend Russell Wayne Luschagne who was facing murder charges.
1334-Ben Menashe says Tsvangirai is nuts
Canadian businessman Ari Ben Menashe said Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who he described as the future president of Zimbabwe, was nuts.
1335-MDC mobilised old women to support Tsvangirai during his trial
The Movement for Democratic Change mobilised about 30 women aged between 45 and 60 to attend the trial of party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to show support because interest in the trial was waning as it entered its fifth week.
1336-Why Obasanjo and Nigerians supported Mugabe
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo supported President Robert Mugabe during the early years of the Zimbabwe crisis because he believed that he owed a debt to Mugabe.
1337-US ambassador told Tsvangirai that Mugabe should go
United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan told Movement for Democratic Change leader that any settlement that would lead to the setting up of an interim coalition government should provide for President Robert Mugabe’s departure.
1338-CNN stringer stopped from filming at Supreme Court
A stringer for CNN Bob Coen was stopped from filming near the Supreme Court but was not given any reason until later when he was told that the area was now restricted.
1339-Zvobgo says Hunzvi is certifiably unstable
The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for legal affairs Eddison Zvobgo said he hated war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi because he was “clearly certifiably unstable”.
1340-Hunzvi implicated in torture claims
At least four people in Harare were tortured in or near a medical office run by war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi, who was a medical doctor, a team of medical experts that had been invited to Zimbabwe to investigate cases of state-sponsored torture said.
1341-Hunzvi among the 15 big losers
The United States embassy considered war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi as one of the big losers when he failed to make it to President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s narrow victory over the Movement for Democratic Change in 2000.
1342-US embassy says Mugabe sees himself as the Fidel Castro of Southern Africa
The United States embassy in Harare said President Robert Mugabe saw himself as the Fidel Castro of Southern Africa and was on a crusade to secure his place in history as the black Zimbabwean who brought land back to his people and fought imperialism.
1343-Faint hope of cutting Hunzvi down to size
Police evicted war veterans from a farm on the outskirts of Harare and set their makeshift huts ablaze raising hopes that they might finally cut war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi to size.
1344-Farmers urge US to push Mbeki to put pressure on Mugabe
Commercial farmers told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that the only effective tool that could turn President Robert Mugabe around was the threat of a total cut off of fuel and electricity by South Africa.
1345-If Hunzvi hits you, hit back
Movement for Democratic Change vice-president Gibson Sibanda was arrested for allegedly inciting violence at an MDC rally in Bulawayo.
1346-Hunzvi can be brought under control in five minutes
Wilfred Mhanda, the leader of the Zimbabwe Liberators Platform, started to restore the good name of war veterans, told United States embassy officials that war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi was not a genuine war veteran and was actually working for President Robert Mugabe but he could be brought under control in five minutes if his services were no longer needed.
1347-Hunzvi walking around in Masvingo with AK rifle
War veterans’ leader Chenjerai Hunzvi was reportedly circulating in Masvingo with an AK 47 rifle as violence continued unabated in city in the run-up to the first executive mayoral elections.
1348-Defence Minister Moven Mahachi dies
Defence Minister Moven Mahachi died in a car accident barely a month after the death of another minister Border Gezi, also in a car accident.
1349-Founder of Green Bombers spills the beans
A man claiming to be a founder of the notorious youth militia, popularly known as the Green Bombers, told United States embassy officials that the first recruits to the National Youth Service, as it was officially called, were trained for the express purpose of playing a role in the upcoming presidential elections.
1350-Mugabe’s cabinet composed of place holders
President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet of 2000 which brought in technocrats such as Simba Makoni, Nkosana Moyo, Jonathan Moyo and Joseph Made looked credible but there were fears that it was composed of “place holders”- people who would keep the seats warm until the presidential elections of 2002.
1351-IMF resident rep saw bleak future for Zimbabwe
The International Monetary Fund resident representative for Zimbabwe Robert Franco saw a very bleak future for Zimbabwe despite the appointment of technocrats Simba Makoni as Finance Minister and Nkosana Moyo as Industry Minister.
1352-Makoni says judge Zimbabwe on its deeds not its rhetoric
Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States ambassador Tom McDonald that the new cabinet had been given a clear mandate by President Robert Mugabe to get Zimbabwe to work again. It was therefore critical to judge the new government by its deeds and not by its words.
1353-IMF team paints a bleak picture of Zimbabwe
A visiting International Monetary Fund team painted a bleak picture of Zimbabwe which they said could end the year with inflation of 80 percent and a budget deficit of 23 percent against the target 3.8 percent with the economic itself shrinking by 5.5 percent in real terms.
1354-Withdrawal of troops from DRC linked to presidential elections
With revelations that Zimbabwe had spent US$200 million on the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Robert Mugabe was under pressure to withdraw Zimbabwean troops from that country so that this would not be a campaign issue in the 2002 presidential elections.
1355-Kasukuwere said Mugabe must be phased out for ZANU-PF to survive
Mount Darwin legislator Saviour Kasukuwere told United States embassy officials that President Robert Mugabe and his cronies must be phased out for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to survive. He said the first step was to get his two aged vice-presidents Simon Muzenda and Joseph Msika to step down.
1356-Danish Ministers says Mugabe is “a man without a plan”
Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Jan Trojborg said President Robert Mugabe was “a man without a plan” but it was clear that the government could set one up quickly if the President gave his ministers the green light to do so.
1357-US embassy showers Makoni with praise on his first budget
Although Finance Minister Simba Makoni had announced a 2001 budget that was going to have a deficit of 15 percent of gross domestic product, the United States embassy said his budget was probably the most honest and thoughtful that had been tabled in Zimbabwe’s 20 years of independence.
1358-Mugabe views everything according to whether it threatens his tenure or not
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States diplomats including assistant secretary Susan Rice that President Robert Mugabe viewed everything through the optic of whether it threatened his tenure.
1359-US could cut aid to Zimbabwe over a US$210 000 debt
The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald warned President Robert Mugabe that the United States could cut aid to Zimbabwe if the country did not repay a debt of US$210 000 to the United States Agency for International Development by the “drop-dead” date of 30 December, 2000.
1360-Nicholas Ncube disappoints US embassy officials
Former permanent secretary for Finance Nicholas Ncube, who was described by the United States embassy as a “dependable and solid embassy interlocutor for over a decade”, was a big disappointment when the embassy tried to solicit how his ministry was doing from him.
1361-Farmers see Makoni as conduit to Mugabe
The Commercial Farmers Union, which was under siege from the farm invaders, had decided to work with the government and use Finance Minister Simba Makoni as a conduit to present their new plan to President Robert Mugabe.
1362-Farmers facing a hard sell
The Commercial Farmers Union said it was making headway in trying to convince the government to adopt its land reform plan which would see the CFU providing the government a list of farms totalling five million hectares that would be made available for resettlement.
1363-Makoni asked Zvobgo how he could get out of government
Finance Minister Simba Makoni asked Eddison Zvobgo, once one of the most powerful people in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front who had been sidelined but remained within the party, how he could get out.
1364-Makoni acknowledges there will be a food shortage
Finance Minister Simba Makoni acknowledged that there would be a food shortage and the country would have to import but there had been no budget provision for food imports.
1365-Zvobgo says Mugabe has too much power
Masvingo South legislator Eddison Zvobgo said although he supported the idea of an executive president he also believed that the president’s powers should be curtailed.
1366-Makoni paints bleak picture of Zimbabwe
Finance Minister Simba Makoni presented a gloomy picture of Zimbabwe to visiting United States assistant secretary for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner and even asked what Zimbabwe could do to avoid being slapped with sanctions under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act.
1367-Makoni bows down to tobacco famers
Finance Minister Simba Makoni had to bow down to tobacco farmers after they withheld their crop because of the low price on the auction floors.
1368-Letter detailing Zimbabwe’s debts leaked to US embassy
A letter by Finance Minister Simba Makoni to the Cabinet’s Economic and Finance Committee detailing Zimbabwe’s debts was leaked to the United States embassy in Harare, which said that the fact that the embassy had the letter should strictly be protected.
1369-RBZ document leaked to US embassy
First it was a letter from Finance Minister Simba Makoni that found its way to the United States embassy. A week later it was a document from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that was now in the hands of the embassy.
1370-Devaluation through the back door
Despite President Robert Mugabe's vigorous insistence that devaluation was dead, Finance Minister Simba Makoni effectively devalued the currency through so-called incentives for tobacco farmers and the duty on luxury goods.
