The Mugabe Clan still living large on the State Coffers!

The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) is still taking well care of the former dictator of 37 years. Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe are still living large, they are having a bounty of a pension. It is insane, as he was the kingpin, the one who bled the state of funds, paid the cronies and made himself wealthy. Therefore, it is very insulting that he is still living like that. That he even dares to asks for more, when he has more posh cars, can afford to have their sons in Los Angeles and cars taken to Botswana. Because they are afraid of taxes and losing their ill-gotten possessions.

Why I can say he is still living large, is that he sources to Sunday News says: “Since he resigned in November 2017, Mr Mugabe has received $80 000 in pension, while Mrs Mugabe has received $8 680. The payments to Mr Mugabe were made on January 5, 2018 ($40 000), January 29, 2018 ($20 000), and February 28, 2018. The two payments on January 5 were because Mr Mugabe had not received his pension for November and December 2017 due to administrative issues hence the double instalment to offset arrears. He got a third instalment at the end of January as his pension for that month, with the fourth also coming as scheduled in February. Mrs Mugabe received instalments of $2 170 in November and December 2017, and January and February 2018” (Sasa, 2018).

So, that they have been so open in the media last week complaining about their life and such, seems totally out of order. When ordinary people struggles to get 20 US Dollars out of the ATM. While you are earning 20,000 US Dollars per month. That is 1000 times more than what the ordinary people trying to get out of the ATM in Harare.

It is insane that a man who has eaten the state, made it bankrupt and depleted its currency gets such a bounty after the November 2017. He should be happy he isn’t in court answering for his crimes against his people. That he cannot answer for the filthy water in the taps, the lack of institutions and the cronyism who ate it all. On the alter of liberation and freedom, they took it all to themselves instead of sharing it with the public. That is the man and his family crying to the media on their lack of proper support of the former first family. Clearly, the got enough money to have sugar in their tea and beyond.

It is insulting to the Zimbabwean public, that the Mugabe family is frying foul, when they are still getting fortunes, even after been ousting. 20,000 US Dollars get you proper fed, well fed, buying clothes and whatever needs you got. No ordinary citizen in the Republic will ever get near that sort of pay. The Junta, the ZANU-PF is showing mercy on the former comrade and founder, more than what they ever did to President Canaan Banana, who never even received government pension, which Mugabe denied him!

Therefore, Mugabe should pray to whatever deity he believes in, thanks mercy for the greatness of the former comrades. That they gave him this bounty. Because, if he would have gotten the same treatment as he gave others. He would have been kicked out of his homes, lost his posh-cars and lost his estates. That would have been justice any many people’s eyes. Since he took it all and eaten it all.

Even after all of this, its still not enough. He should be grateful for his demise and that it didn’t cost him more. That it was a bloodless coup and that he didn’t catch a bullet. But he lives in the blue-roof and lives lavish. Peace.

Reference:

Sasa, Mabasa – ‘Mugabe cash demands exposed: Wants $467 200 pension in cash’ (11.03.2018) link: http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/mugabe-cash-demands-exposed-wants-467-200-pension-in-cash/

Zimbabwe: Ambrose Muthiniri letter to ZEC – “Re: National Patriotic Front (NPF)” (06.03.2018)

Opinion: The G-40 Party, New Patriotic Front (NPF) will not matter, because Mugabe rigged the game in favor of ZANU-PF and Mnangagwa!

That Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe want to play decoy and be involved in the coming election was natural. That has been received the recent reports from the Blue Roof. However, this should be anticipated by the ZANU-PF and the President. Emmerson Mnangagwa should expect that, so that the resigning of Mugabe loyalist and G-40 member Ambrose Mutinhiri, whose petition to African Union and SADC to intervene because of the coup in November 2017. Nevertheless, that doesn’t seem reasonable at this point, as the gearing up to the next election is more likely.

What is weird, but natural with the Mugabe involvement is that the G-40 group of ZANU-PF, the ones who has been kicked out and the ones feels left behind after the coup. Because of the Lacoste ones got into power with the strength of the military, who is now also in the cabinet and behind the scenes. That is known and that is making these people disgruntled. That was expected and surely the ZANU-PF should have foreseen this happening. It wasn’t like he went easy and swiftly, they had to bring the guns and show the muscle before he went and the President could return.

Mugabe is a con, he has been used to using the long-con, the men around him and his family know this. What is striking is the name of the opposition party, New Patriotic Front, as if the Patriotic Front was made between Joshua Nkomo and Mugabe in 1976, as it was partnership to gain more in possible talks with the Ian Smith Government and be united towards the cause of freedom. Even in the 1970s the ZANU under Mugabe was the military support important to him, while in ZAPU’s Nkomo was unchallenged leader. Their stature was different and there was reasons so, but later he would consolidate these parties, and therefore, we have the ZANU-PF.

Now, the Mugabe has outgrown the party he consolidated and created, the liberation party that freed the country from the British, but he never released the citizens from his grip. That is why him and his cronies, so-called comrades are planning to use a New Patriotic Front, use the old term of 1970s , in that spirit to facilitate themselves in the coming elections. As they are using Cde. Mutinhiri to usher it in. Like the G-40 can re-bran itself and become opposition. After the same leaders was used to loot, take and misuse for decades. They was used that people came out of fear and loyalty, now they have to create another venue, another loyalty, as Mnangagwa has inherited the party structure and the military support. The military support that Mugabe has needed and had since 1970s.

So for me the NPF, the Patriotic Front of 2018 isn’t powerful, it is mediocre at best. Since the machinery isn’t there. It is creating headlines and they wrote petition to the SADC and AU. But not that it would change anything, the AU and SADC hasn’t said “no” to Mnangagwa, neither has South Africa or anywhere he has traveled. Mnangagwa is the legitimate president, even if it was unconstitutional. Just like so many of the elections under Mugabe. Where he rigged himself and used the army to spread fear in the community ahead of elections.

There is more likely the Movement for Democratic Change and Nelson Chamisa who taken over the mantle after Morgan Tsvangirai. He is the Chairman and Presidential Candidate for the biggest opposition party and the levels of support has been shown by the recent rallies. The NPF is still just theory, even if the people behind is used to the long-con. They are not having the military support or the steady financing like the ZANU-PF under Mugabe used too. What might happen, is that ZANU-PF might do what it did to MDC-T and others. Where the NPF will get into trouble, the leadership will be detained and their supporters might also get into legal jeopardy. This is well-known if you look into the political history and acts under Mugabe.

Mugabe should know, that the revolution he led that ate the whole country, might in turn eat him. The same monster he created for total control with support of War Veterans and the Military, has now turned on him and his G-40 Group, which now might turn into NPF. They will have the same amount of support as Acie Lumumba, might be able to make headlines, but not run anything else than a sweat-shop.

NPF seems like a far-fetched deal, seems like a dream of party, with Mugabe loyalists and disgruntled members who has fallen out with Mnangagwa. If they think they can do this, they might have to run things from Rotten Row. We can just wonder if they think they have the capacity to run against the regime, the machinery that has been made for the President and not for the opposition. The state hasn’t changed that much since Mugabe was toppled, the same mechanisms are there and they have not left the building. The ones that has left is the pictures of Mugabe and the ones who believed the words of Grace.

There are bigger possibility that Chamisa has a change, if he builds momentum and actually has causes that makes sense not only in Urban areas, but in the rural regions, where sometimes they still only see Mugabe as their President. With this in mind, Mugabe can build a new party, a New Patriotic Front (NPF), but at this moment of time, he will not succeed. They might go after his wealth, after his farms and other corrupt acts of the past. Mugabe has gotten off easy, but if he fires back. Expect ZANU-PF and the military to use things against him. It is like he has forgotten this tactic and don’t think that doesn’t apply to him.

Mugabe has made himself wealthy, also other cronies too, they we’re all eating. Suddenly the winds changed and the military supported Mnangagwa, therefore, the Lacoste won over G-40. Instead of gracefully stepping aside, as Mugabe just lost his position, but hasn’t lost properties and the family has even tried to transport their flash cars to Botswana and abroad. Clearly, they are afraid of losing their possessions.

If they start using their power and leverage, which they still have, do they think they can beat the crocodile? Do they think the ZANU-PF and the military will accept it? Do you expect them to give up their power now?

I wish Chamisa could get a chance, but just like NPF has no chance, I doubt anyone will have anything on Mnangagwa, since he knows this game and is playing invisible chess as we speak. Just like he did in the days after he got sacked and into exile in 2017. Peace.

Opinion: The Mnangagwa Presidency has brought the status quo + less roadblocks and a scarf!

There are reasons for all of this, it is and it is understandable, but however, the ones who thought it would be revolutionary changes after the coup in November 2017. You are wrong, the henchmen and people that was running the nation is still the same, just a twitch of a change in cabinet and stronger presence of the army involved in politics, that is because without President Emmerson Mnangagwa wouldn’t have toppled Grace Mugabe’s G-40 and given the edge to Lacoste of Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front. He just the other guy, who also let a general be his Vice President Constantino Chiweng, the man who controlled the ousting of Robert Mugabe into his position as a gentleman’s thank you for getting rid of his former boss.

So now, that people had high expectations, they have not been met, the only change is a few people and the rhetoric of ED. However, the state of affairs is more of the same. Giving lavish gifts to secure upcoming elections. Letting cronies of the hook to explain scandals, demonstrating students met with police brutality, the good old fashion gumbo of the ZANU-PF. We all got to know under Mugabe. It is just now under Mnangagwa and he is not ceasing the day or afraid of doing so.

The most petite statement came from the President himself talking about his achievements to the state and party paper Harare Herald, where he said: “On corruption, the phrase zero tolerance approach has been backed up by action. We instituted a three-month amnesty to get back stolen funds, mandated all Cabinet ministers to declare assets, created dedicated anti-corruption courts in all provinces and clamped down on police road blocks” (Mugabe, 2018). However, concerning the amnesty, there has been no indication that it worked or been followed by the ministries or the government for that matter. Because none of the possible people behind it has come forward and neither has statistics of possible returned funds. Therefore, seem more like a publicity stunt ala what 50 Cent does with beef, than actual policy.

After 100 days, his biggest achievement is to stop roadblocks by the police, which has been a big money business for police officers to sponge off on meagre salaries. This here isn’t a big thing, it’s a small issue, not a grand one, as the epidemic controlling and state finances that has been bountiful for the ones closest to Mugabe. Now the same might been seen with ED. The Bond-notes are still there, the trying to forge a close relationship with China is still there, the prices of exotic hunting animals are still there. Therefore, anything that is for sale is still possible to buy and that is why the state is still infringed with troubles. That is because they took the head in November 2017, but they didn’t take the roots or his cronies. They were still all there and there today as well.

ZANU-PF is pretty much the same, only a few of the closest allies of Grace is gone. The rest has a position or some sort of play. Because if ED would have a revolution that would go against the core of his existence. Since he has been a key player since the 1980s and knows that the changes will brutal to him to. He will not do that and he will not risk his own political life. Not now, that he has finally exceeded Mugabe. Even if that means paying-off all the people he needs too, until the general election. While the 82 other political parties trying to find their way, especially MDC-T with their new leader. How they will compete with ED.

He has a scarf with the colours of the flag, but he does not have the spirit of needed transformation or change, because that means that he and his cronies has to stop what they are doing. They are earning plentiful and does not want to stop the gravy train. Peace

Reference:

Mugabe, Tendai – ‘ED’s first 100 days a huge success’ (27.02.2018) link: https://www.herald.co.zw/eds-first-100-days-a-huge-success/

The Goblin address the Crocodile, but he is throwing stones in a glasshouse!

Its been 100 days since 15^th November 2017, the coup that wasn’t a coup, but apparently was a coup in Zimbabwe. That toppled the 37 years of rule by the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) under President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has run the nation since 1980 and freed it from the British. However, he overstayed, and the public cheered for the fall in November with their rally for liberation from Mugabe. Now that it had gone 99 days, the Goblin showed his true face, as he will today celebrate his birthday without eating of the whole state budget this year.

So yesterday he said this to the media:

“Mugabe then said he was forced to resign under military pressure, notes reveal. “I was pressured by the army to resign; I did so in order to avoid conflict and bloodshed in my country. I was worried because it had been brought to my attention that people had been intimidated, illegally seized, attacked, homes had been raided at gunpoint and destroyed, and weapons confiscated from other state security agencies,” Mugabe said. “The army had been unconstitutionally deployed without permission of the commander-in-chief and soldiers continue to be used in this operation. So from a constitutional point of view, he (Mnangagwa) is there unconstitutionally. “Mnangagwa is in power illegally, yet some of his officials dare call me a dictator. What dictator? “Maybe a dictator for dictating that we must take over our land and give it to the people; maybe a dictator for demanding that our people must be empowered. If that’s why they call me a dictator, I have no problem with that” (…) “He the added a new dimension: “Now you want to know whether elections will be free and fair. Of course, I don’t think so. How can they be free and fair when the military is running everything?” Mugabe said the situation was worrying, adding his security was not guaranteed. “For instance, they told you, I was safe, but how can I be in this environment? My wife is crying daily. They are persecuting her; that is obviously directed at me. What am I without my wife and family? We are not safe,” Mugabe said. “We have constitutional benefits, for example, but these are being denied.” (Gagare, 2018).

It is strange and deranged to read this from the Goblin, it is unique that he talked to the press. The world should know what he said to local media. Because it shows his true heart, after he was removed. Not likely he would have gone down without pressure, since he used all tricks to stop the likes of Morgan Tsvangirai and others from power. 

Me and Mugabe agree, that it was unconstitutional of the army to topple him, but not like he didn’t misuse the army and the government resources over 30 years. Not like he didn’t care for constitution or just elections, when he was the President. Mugabe is the wrong man throwing the stone, as he is casting it in a glasshouse. He is just bitter, that someone finally beat him at his game. That he wasn’t following the internal issues within the Zanu-PF and the army, before they brought him down in November.

I don’t expect free and fair elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa might promise it in words, but his actions might differ. However, the demonstrations and memorials of Tsvangirai has been peaceful with little or no interference from the police. Other than a few others at other parties rallies in the recent months. So we have to see if they will play by common sense or prepare to rigg for Mnangagwa.

Mugabe is not the man to play those cards, he has misused his time in office, he didn’t build institutions or electoral reforms. If he did, he would have gone much sooner. Mugabe should be happy he isn’t walking in and out of the court-room answering for his crimes and acts of ill over 3 decades. He has hurt enough families and made sure they had to flee for a better life. The misuse of government funds and riches on their own. They should be happy the state hasn’t confiscated their ill-gotten gains. That would have been proper, that the stolen funds should be given back.

He is so used to power, he doesn’t see it himself. That didn’t deliver free and fair elections, he didn’t follow the constitution or the rules, he apply them only to others, just like he did when he was in power. The same kind of answers and belief. If you eat it up, your a G-40 Zanu-PF who misses the good old days of Grace spinning the wheels. If not, your are a Lacoste who has risen to power. Thirdly, your a opposition who working hard to changes and hopefully able to rip up the Zanu-PF. So the state can evolve even more and further away from the legacy of the Goblin. Peace.

Reference:

Gagare, Owen – ‘Mugabe breathes fire over Mnangagwa rule’ (23.02.2018) link: https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2018/02/23/mugabe-breathes-fire-mnangagwa-rule/

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on Experience Sharing Workshop 8-9 February, 2018 (12.02.2018)

Zimbabwe: Justice P.M. Chugumba letter – “Re: Appointment as the Chairperson of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission” (31.01.2018)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. M.J.M. Sibanda on the Mandatory Declaration of Assets by Senior Public Service Officers (23.01.2018)

Opinion: ED might say every right thing now, but follow his actions!

The new Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa might say all the right things. ED might also order a lot of good things. Like he early did order all sort of actions to get back money that has been stolen in the previous administration. Get the funds that has been embezzled during the 37 years under President Robert Mugabe. Still, even with the days without possible problems and also no charges. There hasn’t really come any funds back to Zimbabwe after this order.

ED might say he is for press freedom. Also that he is for free and fair elections. Might speak of possible international investors and get better investor climate. ED might spread the news of public interactions and give credible interviews to international news-organization. All of that might stem from the changes of leadership, because ED will act differently to foreigners, than Mugabe who despised them. That is well known, that is why he even came with blazing thunder in his last United Nations address.

ED might say he will changes things, but since November, what other thing has changed then giving #ThisFlag Evans Mawarire his official freedom. Giving way to opposition parties and letting them all demonstrate once against the Mugabe. Since then, the Zimbabwe hasn’t really changed. The cabinet is filled with lots of same old faces. The government is contained by the army who ushered in ED. They have more power than before.

The Herald has been praising ED and had for long ads filled with praise. They have main articles and usually positive towards the new President. Zimbabwe Broadcasting Company (ZBC) is only still showing live from ZANU-PF rallies and following the family of ED. Like today they showed one rally of the ruling party and also followed the first lady speaking. The MDC-T and others are not usually shown on the channel. Clearly, many things haven’t changed since Mugabe left office.

Other than Grace Mugabe struggling to move her valuables from South Africa and Zimbabwe into Botswana. Where her sons and other family members moving expensive luxury cars and its leaked to the media. Wonder if that was picked up by government and they wanted the former Presidential family to pay taxes on these luxurious items? That would have been noble example. Not only the former G-40 members of cabinet who are eating charges and struggling to redeem themselves after Mugabe’s fall.

That ED has talked about fighting corruption and making the courts proper. Haven’t been proven, it is very selective who is charges and who is criminal of the old elite. That is also concerning, that many in the cabinet is previous leaders, who has done their thing during Mugabe. They will not change, maybe the rhetoric and the ways of ED are different. Still, the reality of people lingering in prison. That political activists are still not 100 % free. That the governance and the state functions are still not functioning. That government services is still depleted. It will take time to fix that and to make it less about one person and build institution. However, ED hasn’t open the doors yet.

ED might do the talk, he promises elections and changes in governance. However, his actions and the ones of the government hasn’t been fruitful yet. Their still pursuing bond-notes, there is still no substantial changes. Some Members of Parliament has been kicked-out and a few officers in the Police Service. Therefore, it is minor changes, like the army took major part of the Cabinet. That should worry, since the army is boasting the same Zanu-PF, just without Mugabe and ED instead. If you don’t see, then your reading the nice print from ED, instead of asking why he is changing the Zanu-PF in anyway?

ED should have started to reform the Zanu-PF more, if he wants to be really serious. The one bringing down the goblin. Doesn’t have to do much, but assess the whole government to assist the government with proper governance. Which means in general, that the ministries will not only give cars to chiefs, but he will actually make Ministries actually do their duty and deliver to the citizens. Its not a magic wand, but acting with the simple ideal of taxation and representation.

ED can do this and also give details on how the election will be and how the they will try to make framework for level playing-field for all parties. Usually, the ruling regime is running over the parties and humble them through the campaigns, even using the state to oppress the others. Therefore, it is time to see if it is all talk or reality. If he is bluffing or planning to open society. Risking it all or besieging his new position.

Time will tell, but not eat it all up and believe that he will change it. ED will not only do it, when he knows that he gets political currency without to much cost the regime. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on De-Dollarisation (17.01.2018)