Wednesday, 11th February 2009

Howzit

Foreign currency mid-rates updated...

-o00o-

Well - today is the day that Morgan Tsvangirai is supposed to be sworn into office along with his two deputies, Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe.

It may prove to be a momentous day in Zimbabwean political history - but may also prove to be the day that Mugabe shows his true colours.

(LATER: Just a few minutes ago, Tsvangirai was sworn in - I did note that Mugabe did not look like a happy camper at alll...)

Tsvangirai being sworn in - instead of being sworn at...

Tsvangirai has taken some serious criticism for agreeing to enter government with Mugabe, but I believe that the only way to ensure that Mugabe rules in the best interests of the Zimbabwean people, is to be up close and personal.

Late yesterday, Morgan Tsvangirai named those members of his party that would be members of the new cabinet. Bear in mind that many of the final placings are subject to negotiation and confirmation:

Ministers

1. Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs - Eric Matinenga

2. Finance - Tendai Biti

3. Economic Planning and Investment Promotion - Elton Mangoma

4. Energy and Power Development - Elias Mudzuri

5. Labour and Social Welfare - Paurina Mpariwa

6. Health and Child Welfare - Henry Madzorera

7. Water Resources Development and Management - Abednico Bhebhe

8. Public Service - Eliphas Mukonoweshuro

9. State Enterprise and Parastatals - Eddie Cross

10. Information Communication Technology - Nelson Chamisa

11. Social Amenities - Fidelis Mhashu

12. Public Works - Theresa Makone

13. Science and Technology Development - Heneri Dzinotyiwei

14. Home Affairs - Giles Mutsekwa

Deputy Ministers

Roy Bennet - Agriculture

Jessie Majome - Justice and Legal Affairs

Sesel Zvidzai - Local Government

Tichaona Mudzingwa - Defence

The other three Deputy Minister’s will be announced after further consultations between Tsvangirai and Mugabe.

(Source)

-o00o-

Mugabe is due to turn 85 later this month. He has already lived for more than twice the length of the expected life of any of Zimbabwean - 36 years... And he has been in power almost 29 years. The nightmare continues.

"It is the 85th birthday of President Mugabe this month and the zealots of his ZANU PF party are determined that it should be an occasion that their great leader will never forget.

In recent days they have been out soliciting "donations" from corporate Zimbabwe and have drawn up a wish list that is scarcely credible in a land where seven million citizens survive on international food aid, 94 per cent are jobless and cholera rampages through a population debilitated by hunger. Those who prefer to give in cash, not kind, are invited to send "donations" of between $45,000 and $55,000 to a US dollar bank account in the name of the 21st February Movement, a youth organisation controlled by ZANU PF and named after the date of the President’s birthday."

Mugabe knows no shame - and will not shoulder any blame for the demise of the bread basket of Africa.

Even as power is wrested from his hands by the MDC, he and his party are intent on spending whatever money they can on luxuries and the best they can buy. For someone who abhors the West, he certainly has a taste for Western food...

"Western diplomats and aid workers were stunned when shown the list. "It’s just appalling. It’s like they are either completely oblivious to what’s happening in their country, or completely impervious and just don’t care," said one. "It’s shocking and obscene," said another, who noted that lobsters were unobtainable in Zimbabwe and would have to be flown in. Others said it showed that the Mugabe regime had no intention of curtailing its excesses after entering a unity government with the Movement for Democratic Change later this week."

Mugabe is a self-satisfying power hungry dictator who cares not for any Zimbabwean - which makes sense when you remember that he is not a full Zimbabwean.

The list of food includes:

"2,000 bottles of champagne - Moët & Chandon and ’61 Bollinger
500 bottles of whisky - Johnny Walker Blue Label, 22-year-old Chivas
8,000 lobsters 100kg king prawns
3,000 ducks 4,000 portions of caviar
8,000 boxes of Ferrero Rocher
16,000 eggs
3,000 cakes - chocolate and vanilla
4,000 packs of pork sausages
500kg cheese
4,000 packets of crackers"

I find it reprehensible that Mugabe demands that companies and individuals 'donate' and then ZANU PF feast and party whilst the rest of the country starves...

-o00o-

And whilst Mugabe and his thugs eat caviar and drink Chivas Regal, people in Zimbabwe continue to struggle from one day to the next...

-o00o-

I suppose that the swearing in had to happen - one way or the other. The political prisoners remain in custody - and it will be interesting to see how Tsvangirai plays it to secure their release... sooner rather than later.

"MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai has insisted that the release of all the political prisoners at Chikurubi Maximum Prison remains a vital issue.

He told a news conference in Harare on Tuesday that the detainees, many of them in custody for more than 3 months, should be freed before he is sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday. However, journalist Angus Shaw said the MDC leader would not commit himself to what he would do, in the event this did not happen.

The journalist said it was doubtful that Tsvangirai would not go ahead with being sworn in as Prime Minister, as he was in too deep and all the arrangements for the inauguration have already been made.

Tsvangirai is expected to be formally appointed in a private ceremony in the morning and then address thousands of supporters at the Glamis Stadium in Harare around midday. The swearing in of the 31 ministerial government is expected Friday."

A foregone conclusion, because Mugabe is just waiting for an excuse to throw the unity government out of the window.

"Meanwhile a group of civil and MDC activists, including Jestina Mukoko, are expected to appear in court for a remand hearing on the day of the inauguration.

A second group, including the MDC director of security Chris Dhlamini, are expected to appear in court next Monday. Shaw said Tsvangirai did state that negotiations for the release of the political detainees were at an advanced stage.

The Prime Minister designate implied at the press conference that ZANU PF no longer had complete and absolute control. The MDC is concerned that the Joint Operations Command is not happy with the power sharing deal and intends to continue with intimidation of its supporters.

In a recent incident, detainees were not produced after the prisons commissioner, Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, refused to hand them over. As a member of JOC Zimondi helped organise the terror campaign during the elections last year and also recently broke up a hearing on the release of some of the detainees by disrupting the court session."

In my mind, Tsvangirai's position as Prime Minister will probably allow him a little more clout (excuse the expression...) to have these people released...

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu