Opinion / Columnist
Whoever takes over from Mugabe could be even worse
09 Oct 2011 at 17:16hrs | Views
The reported secret moves within SADC to get Mugabe a so-called soft landing (Sunday Times, 09/10/11) do not inspire confidence at all because they are an admission of failure by the regional body to rein in the recalcitrant octogenarian on overdue reforms.
Given the ongoing legalised looting, Zanu-PF arrogance and impunity, it is safe to say that whoever takes over from Mugabe as party leader no matter how young could be even worse than the geriatric tyrant.
After meeting Mugabe for the greater part of his 31 years as the ruler of Zimbabwe, during which he convinced them to dissolve the SADC Tribunal, it is rather odd that SADC leaders have been reportedly exchanging notes on how to approach Mugabe to persuade him to retire.
SADC needs to be reminded that Zimbabweans are not amused at all by their foot-dragging on the GPA and now an "irresistible package" including security guarantees and benefits for Mugabe to retire. With all that Mugabe has, what other benefits and security guarantees does he want?
According to a leaked US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks website, Robert Mugabe was worth more than one billion US dollars in 2001, with assets ranging from residential properties and farms to funds stashed away in offshore bank accounts.
With those billions appreciating every year since 2001, Financial experts say he could live on interest only for the rest of his life. Mugabe must be worth in excess of US$10 billion by now considering he does not use his money and assets daily like we all do.
What more does Mugabe need with at least six residences in Zimbabwe, including the 25 bedroom Chinese-style mansion in Helensvale near Borrowdale which he built with foreign funding and materials while still in office, something that would be deemed as corruption in other countries?
On top of that, the Helensvale mansion which was estimated to have cost more than US$25 million to build was in 2004 declared a 'shoot –and-kill' area.
Furthermore, according to the Sunday Times (31/07/11) Mugabe and his family own thirty-nine farms. Media reports claim "one of Zimbabwe's governors is said to have been dispatched to Ghana recently to check the prospects of securing a plot for Mugabe, should he need it." Of course, he doesn't need it.
From whom is SADC getting the security guarantees before even one line of the new constitution has been written, let alone free and fair elections are held to decide once and for all the people's choice as opposed to the current Zanu-PF dominated coalition?
Is SADC about to repeat what it did in 2008 by 'cajoling' the opposition into signing the most regrettable agreement in Zimbabwe's living memory, the so-called Global Political Agreement?
SADC should not change Zanu-PF leaders before a new water-tight constitution which restricts any president of Zimbabwe to a maximum of two five year terms and strips him/her of those menacing presidential powers of pardoning murderers, arsonists and looters after elections.
Should SADC get its way, there is a very big risk of another 31 years again under a new Young Turk or the so-called Generation 40 if Mugabe hands power while still in office.
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Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com
Given the ongoing legalised looting, Zanu-PF arrogance and impunity, it is safe to say that whoever takes over from Mugabe as party leader no matter how young could be even worse than the geriatric tyrant.
After meeting Mugabe for the greater part of his 31 years as the ruler of Zimbabwe, during which he convinced them to dissolve the SADC Tribunal, it is rather odd that SADC leaders have been reportedly exchanging notes on how to approach Mugabe to persuade him to retire.
SADC needs to be reminded that Zimbabweans are not amused at all by their foot-dragging on the GPA and now an "irresistible package" including security guarantees and benefits for Mugabe to retire. With all that Mugabe has, what other benefits and security guarantees does he want?
According to a leaked US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks website, Robert Mugabe was worth more than one billion US dollars in 2001, with assets ranging from residential properties and farms to funds stashed away in offshore bank accounts.
With those billions appreciating every year since 2001, Financial experts say he could live on interest only for the rest of his life. Mugabe must be worth in excess of US$10 billion by now considering he does not use his money and assets daily like we all do.
What more does Mugabe need with at least six residences in Zimbabwe, including the 25 bedroom Chinese-style mansion in Helensvale near Borrowdale which he built with foreign funding and materials while still in office, something that would be deemed as corruption in other countries?
On top of that, the Helensvale mansion which was estimated to have cost more than US$25 million to build was in 2004 declared a 'shoot –and-kill' area.
Furthermore, according to the Sunday Times (31/07/11) Mugabe and his family own thirty-nine farms. Media reports claim "one of Zimbabwe's governors is said to have been dispatched to Ghana recently to check the prospects of securing a plot for Mugabe, should he need it." Of course, he doesn't need it.
From whom is SADC getting the security guarantees before even one line of the new constitution has been written, let alone free and fair elections are held to decide once and for all the people's choice as opposed to the current Zanu-PF dominated coalition?
Is SADC about to repeat what it did in 2008 by 'cajoling' the opposition into signing the most regrettable agreement in Zimbabwe's living memory, the so-called Global Political Agreement?
SADC should not change Zanu-PF leaders before a new water-tight constitution which restricts any president of Zimbabwe to a maximum of two five year terms and strips him/her of those menacing presidential powers of pardoning murderers, arsonists and looters after elections.
Should SADC get its way, there is a very big risk of another 31 years again under a new Young Turk or the so-called Generation 40 if Mugabe hands power while still in office.
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Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com
Source - Clifford Chitupa Mashiri
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