Friday, 29th October 2010
Howzit
Foreign currency mid-rates upfated.
-o00o-
This morning's posting will probably be a little shorter than usual as I have to get to the Post Office in town, and the posting on Monday - well, I am not sure if there will be one, as I have a very early appointment at City Hospital on the other side of town for tests to be done on my left arm to do with the loss of sensation in my thumb and forefinger.
Add that to the fact that Mondays are always a busy day in this household, I may just opt to leave the posting until Tuesday.
Thanks for understanding.
Add that to the fact that Mondays are always a busy day in this household, I may just opt to leave the posting until Tuesday.
Thanks for understanding.
-o00o-
When the story about Gideon Gono and Grace Mugabe having an affair hit the headlines last week, there was the fact that the close security agent that was there when Robert Mugabe's late sister, Sabina, told her brother about the affair, had died.
Now it is suggested that he died of AIDS.
Knowing how Mugabe is particular about his own safety, I am not so sure that he would have accepted someone with AIDS to work close security for him - unless, of course, he did not know of the official's condition.
Now the death certificate has been issued.
"President Robert Mugabe's former bodyguard, Cain Chademana, was probably killed by AIDS, according to a death dertificate obtained by new Zimbabwe.com.
This website has received unprecedented cooperation from Zimbabwean authorities who released the document, on request, along with an accompanying letter from a hospital where he was treated, as they fight UK and South African newspaper claims that he was killed through poisoning to stop his revealing information about First lady Grace Mugabe's alleged affair with Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono.
Chademana, who died on August 26, suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, disseminated tuberculosis, pneumonia and 'retroviral infection' - a medical eupamism for HIV, according to a death certificate dated August 28, and signed by Milcah Mapfumo for the Registrar General.
Chademana, who was 38, was already a widower after his wife succumbed last year, it has also been claimed, to AIDS."
As with almost anything that happens near Mugabe, the whole thing is cast in controversy as various suggestions as to the true fate of Chademana are discussed far and wide.
"Chademana, the newspapers alleged, had overheard President Robert Mugabe’s dying sister, Sabina, tell his brother that his wife was cheating on him with the married Gono.
The Sunday Times claimed the incident happened "between 6pm and 7pm on July 26 in the intensive care ward at the Avenues Clinic in Harare".
"As he (Mugabe) sat on her bed with senior police commissioner Cain Chademana, his most trusted bodyguard, at his side, she told him the truth," reporter Jon Swain wrote. But senior aides to Mugabe and Gono have already dismissed the report as a "mendacious hatchet job".
On the day the President is said to have met Sabina, who died on July 29, he was in Uganda attending an African Union summit and Chademana had long since been withdrawn from his service owing to poor health.
Both Gono, 51, and Grace Mugabe, 45, strongly refute Sunday Times allegations that they had an affair going back five years during which they met in love nests in Malaysia, South Africa and her dairy farm."
Well, only time and more delving with prove or disprove the allegations - and, seeing as the alleged affair happened in Zimbabwe, the results will probably never be published or released, although I am confident that we will see Mugabe & Co attempt to sue the newspapers.
Now it is suggested that he died of AIDS.
Knowing how Mugabe is particular about his own safety, I am not so sure that he would have accepted someone with AIDS to work close security for him - unless, of course, he did not know of the official's condition.
Now the death certificate has been issued.
Click on the graphic above for a magnified
view...
view...
"President Robert Mugabe's former bodyguard, Cain Chademana, was probably killed by AIDS, according to a death dertificate obtained by new Zimbabwe.com.
This website has received unprecedented cooperation from Zimbabwean authorities who released the document, on request, along with an accompanying letter from a hospital where he was treated, as they fight UK and South African newspaper claims that he was killed through poisoning to stop his revealing information about First lady Grace Mugabe's alleged affair with Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono.
Chademana, who died on August 26, suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, disseminated tuberculosis, pneumonia and 'retroviral infection' - a medical eupamism for HIV, according to a death certificate dated August 28, and signed by Milcah Mapfumo for the Registrar General.
Chademana, who was 38, was already a widower after his wife succumbed last year, it has also been claimed, to AIDS."
As with almost anything that happens near Mugabe, the whole thing is cast in controversy as various suggestions as to the true fate of Chademana are discussed far and wide.
"Chademana, the newspapers alleged, had overheard President Robert Mugabe’s dying sister, Sabina, tell his brother that his wife was cheating on him with the married Gono.
The Sunday Times claimed the incident happened "between 6pm and 7pm on July 26 in the intensive care ward at the Avenues Clinic in Harare".
"As he (Mugabe) sat on her bed with senior police commissioner Cain Chademana, his most trusted bodyguard, at his side, she told him the truth," reporter Jon Swain wrote. But senior aides to Mugabe and Gono have already dismissed the report as a "mendacious hatchet job".
On the day the President is said to have met Sabina, who died on July 29, he was in Uganda attending an African Union summit and Chademana had long since been withdrawn from his service owing to poor health.
Both Gono, 51, and Grace Mugabe, 45, strongly refute Sunday Times allegations that they had an affair going back five years during which they met in love nests in Malaysia, South Africa and her dairy farm."
Well, only time and more delving with prove or disprove the allegations - and, seeing as the alleged affair happened in Zimbabwe, the results will probably never be published or released, although I am confident that we will see Mugabe & Co attempt to sue the newspapers.
-o00o-
The old man of Zimbabwean politics is not having a good time of it. He has told his party to expect new election next year, and has told the world that the coalition will have fulfilled its lifetime in February next year. His head honchos have advised him that elections are perhaps not such a good idea.
Then he has the affair allegations against his wife and his pet banker, whilst he also has to contend with the daily problems caused by being in a 'unity' government with Tsvangirai's MDC fsction and Mutambara's MDC faction, although the smaller faction seems to say very lottle and much of it supports Mugabe...
"The bitter feuding in President Robert Mugabe’s clan has taken a dramatic twist and escalated as battle to control his wealth takes a public spat of skulduggery and media snipping amongst family members, The Zimbabwe Mail can reveal.
At the centre of the alleged family feud is the Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono who is alleged to be fighting in the corner of Grace Mugabe and the President. On the other side there is the rest of the Mugabe clan led by Leo Mugabe who is the son of President Mugabe’s late sister Sabina.
A source close to the family alleges that Leo is only carrying over from where his mother left. Two years ago Leo Mugabe made a public statement calling for the removal of Gideon Gono from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
This week a report in a South African newspaper accused Gono of having an affair with the President’s wife Grace Mugabe, but we can reveal that the report is part of the family smear campaign fuelled by the rival family clan amid reports that Leo Mugabe has escaped assassination plots on a number of occassions.
The report in the Sunday Times says, one of Mugabe's most trusted bodyguards who were present at the time, Sabina Mugabe, 75, warned her brother before she died that he was being betrayed by two of the most important people in his personal and political life: his wife and his personal banker, a pivotal member of his regime.
The report says Sabina told the president that Grace and Gideon Gono were secret lovers."
Yesterday I received an email - from a UK based email address (which bounced any return email) - that stated that I should stop reporting on the alleged affair as I might find myself on a list of people to be sued. A pathetic effort by an apparent pro-Mugabe-ite living here in the UK. One wonders just how they managed to get permission to llive here.
Of course, I do not write the numerous reports that come out of the allegations, all I do is comment upon the content.
"In the years gone by, Mr Gono has been at the centre of the President and his family’s complicated business network both at home and abroad and this has not gone down well with the rest of the Mugabe clan who feel more and more ostracised as his wife's relatives take more influence in his wealth.
At the same time when Mr Gono gained prominence and influence in the President’s wealth, Leo Mugabe who used to be the President’s favoured and trusted family member has hit hard times as all political avenues and business prospects have been closed for him by Grace Mugabe’s people who are surrounding the President leading to bitter family feuding and skulduggery and the latest media briefing in a South African newspaper.
Mugabe has staffed most key positions in the government with Grace Mugabe’s relatives particularly in the Justice and Foreign Affairs Ministries."
Then he has the affair allegations against his wife and his pet banker, whilst he also has to contend with the daily problems caused by being in a 'unity' government with Tsvangirai's MDC fsction and Mutambara's MDC faction, although the smaller faction seems to say very lottle and much of it supports Mugabe...
"The bitter feuding in President Robert Mugabe’s clan has taken a dramatic twist and escalated as battle to control his wealth takes a public spat of skulduggery and media snipping amongst family members, The Zimbabwe Mail can reveal.
At the centre of the alleged family feud is the Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono who is alleged to be fighting in the corner of Grace Mugabe and the President. On the other side there is the rest of the Mugabe clan led by Leo Mugabe who is the son of President Mugabe’s late sister Sabina.
A source close to the family alleges that Leo is only carrying over from where his mother left. Two years ago Leo Mugabe made a public statement calling for the removal of Gideon Gono from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
This week a report in a South African newspaper accused Gono of having an affair with the President’s wife Grace Mugabe, but we can reveal that the report is part of the family smear campaign fuelled by the rival family clan amid reports that Leo Mugabe has escaped assassination plots on a number of occassions.
The report in the Sunday Times says, one of Mugabe's most trusted bodyguards who were present at the time, Sabina Mugabe, 75, warned her brother before she died that he was being betrayed by two of the most important people in his personal and political life: his wife and his personal banker, a pivotal member of his regime.
The report says Sabina told the president that Grace and Gideon Gono were secret lovers."
Yesterday I received an email - from a UK based email address (which bounced any return email) - that stated that I should stop reporting on the alleged affair as I might find myself on a list of people to be sued. A pathetic effort by an apparent pro-Mugabe-ite living here in the UK. One wonders just how they managed to get permission to llive here.
Of course, I do not write the numerous reports that come out of the allegations, all I do is comment upon the content.
"In the years gone by, Mr Gono has been at the centre of the President and his family’s complicated business network both at home and abroad and this has not gone down well with the rest of the Mugabe clan who feel more and more ostracised as his wife's relatives take more influence in his wealth.
At the same time when Mr Gono gained prominence and influence in the President’s wealth, Leo Mugabe who used to be the President’s favoured and trusted family member has hit hard times as all political avenues and business prospects have been closed for him by Grace Mugabe’s people who are surrounding the President leading to bitter family feuding and skulduggery and the latest media briefing in a South African newspaper.
Mugabe has staffed most key positions in the government with Grace Mugabe’s relatives particularly in the Justice and Foreign Affairs Ministries."
-o00o-
ZANU PF perhaps don't like the pace at which Mugabe is intending to regain absolute power in Zimbabwe. But, in typical Mugabe fashion, he will go ahead as he feels, with little regard to the people of his party or the people of Zimbabwe.
I must say that it does annoy me that writers have this habit of calling ZANU PF the 'former ruling party' and the MDC the 'former opposition party' - so what are the parties now?
"Top ZANU PF officials recently warned party first secretary, Robert Mugabe, against holding elections next year as the former ruling party would lose big time to MDC-T, a politburo member told The Zimbabwean.
"After Mugabe announced that elections would be held next year, as senior politburo members we updated him about the true situation on the ground. We told him ZANU PF as a party and he as an individual no longer commanded support at grassroots level. It would be politically suicidal to go to the ballot anytime soon,” said the source.
He said ZANU PF politburo did not deliberate or approve going to the polls. It was Mugabe alone who remained adamant that the country should hold elections next year."
If Mugabe takes a decision, nothing would make him change his position, no matter how risky it is. Like sheep, we are being led to the sacrificial alter come next elections. No ZANU PF legislative or Senatorial candidate was willing to contest in the proposed elections as the outcome would not favor ZANU PF.
Since the party lost its grip among rural communities, MDC-T would easily romp to victory. Despite all these observations, Mugabe dangerously stuck to his guns that his party was ready for elections," the source added. The party election machinery has already gone into action in the rural areas, where intimidation is Mugabe’s trump card."
And the idea that Mugabe's party are not as confident of vistory as perhaps first thought, tare perhaps the first time we have read of a lack of confidence within ZANU PF.
I must say that it does annoy me that writers have this habit of calling ZANU PF the 'former ruling party' and the MDC the 'former opposition party' - so what are the parties now?
"Top ZANU PF officials recently warned party first secretary, Robert Mugabe, against holding elections next year as the former ruling party would lose big time to MDC-T, a politburo member told The Zimbabwean.
"After Mugabe announced that elections would be held next year, as senior politburo members we updated him about the true situation on the ground. We told him ZANU PF as a party and he as an individual no longer commanded support at grassroots level. It would be politically suicidal to go to the ballot anytime soon,” said the source.
He said ZANU PF politburo did not deliberate or approve going to the polls. It was Mugabe alone who remained adamant that the country should hold elections next year."
If Mugabe takes a decision, nothing would make him change his position, no matter how risky it is. Like sheep, we are being led to the sacrificial alter come next elections. No ZANU PF legislative or Senatorial candidate was willing to contest in the proposed elections as the outcome would not favor ZANU PF.
Since the party lost its grip among rural communities, MDC-T would easily romp to victory. Despite all these observations, Mugabe dangerously stuck to his guns that his party was ready for elections," the source added. The party election machinery has already gone into action in the rural areas, where intimidation is Mugabe’s trump card."
And the idea that Mugabe's party are not as confident of vistory as perhaps first thought, tare perhaps the first time we have read of a lack of confidence within ZANU PF.
-o00o-
Mugabe would like nothing more than the MDC's withdrawal from the coalition. Mugabe would grab the opportunity with both hands and continue with his destructive rule, no longer shackled by the MDC presence.
"Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has launched a nationwide consultative exercise on the way forward for his formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) in the Government of National Unity (GNU) as hardliners in the party push for a total pull-out following the latest spat bwteeen the former trade unionist and President Robert Mugabe over alleged unilateralism.
The consultative process kicked-off in Mabvuku on Tuesday evening where the MDC-T leader briefed his supporters on the stalemate in the inclusive government spawned by the alleged flagrant violations of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) by one of the partners in the coalition, the stalled constitution-making process and the pending elections.
The premier, who is encouraging his party faithful to prepare for the make or break polls next year, was expected to take his consultations to the restive old township of Highfield yesterday although his party was still to secure a police clearance in line with the draconian Public Order and Security Act.
MDC-T insiders said the public gatherings to be extended countrywide were being used to gauge popular opinion on the way forward regarding the troubled GNU following the premier's latest clash with President Mugabe."
In the event that the MDC does pull out of the GNU, then the last eleven years will have been for nothing. Yes, the MDC has not fully succeeded in their endeavour to take power from Mugabe and ZANU PF, but to walk away now when the objective is so close would be political suicide.
As I have written above, the whole situation is not helped by newspaper writers describing the MDC as the 'former opposition' and ZANU PF the 'former ruling party'...
Surely the MDC is the people's party of choice. Yes, they probably do not want to be known as the 'ruling party', but referring to theie former status does not help anyone or anything.
"President Mugabe revealed last week that he would not extend the lifespan of the GNU due to sharp differences between them, hinting that he might call elections to deal with the problems posed by the power-sharing arrangement mid next year. This was after the premier had written to regional and international leaders over his alleged unilateralism in the coalition. Tsvangirai is also likely to use the consultations to test the waters ahead of the polls, which his party says must be held under a fully functional independent electoral commission.
Tension has been high in the fragile inclusive government since Tsvangirai complained bitterly over President Mugabe's unilateralism.
The GPA principals this week failed to meet for their weekly Monday meetings due to the latest fall-out. According to the GPA and Constitution Amendment Number 19 there should be consultations on the appointment of key bureaucrats between the three principals."
"Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has launched a nationwide consultative exercise on the way forward for his formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) in the Government of National Unity (GNU) as hardliners in the party push for a total pull-out following the latest spat bwteeen the former trade unionist and President Robert Mugabe over alleged unilateralism.
The consultative process kicked-off in Mabvuku on Tuesday evening where the MDC-T leader briefed his supporters on the stalemate in the inclusive government spawned by the alleged flagrant violations of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) by one of the partners in the coalition, the stalled constitution-making process and the pending elections.
The premier, who is encouraging his party faithful to prepare for the make or break polls next year, was expected to take his consultations to the restive old township of Highfield yesterday although his party was still to secure a police clearance in line with the draconian Public Order and Security Act.
MDC-T insiders said the public gatherings to be extended countrywide were being used to gauge popular opinion on the way forward regarding the troubled GNU following the premier's latest clash with President Mugabe."
In the event that the MDC does pull out of the GNU, then the last eleven years will have been for nothing. Yes, the MDC has not fully succeeded in their endeavour to take power from Mugabe and ZANU PF, but to walk away now when the objective is so close would be political suicide.
As I have written above, the whole situation is not helped by newspaper writers describing the MDC as the 'former opposition' and ZANU PF the 'former ruling party'...
Surely the MDC is the people's party of choice. Yes, they probably do not want to be known as the 'ruling party', but referring to theie former status does not help anyone or anything.
"President Mugabe revealed last week that he would not extend the lifespan of the GNU due to sharp differences between them, hinting that he might call elections to deal with the problems posed by the power-sharing arrangement mid next year. This was after the premier had written to regional and international leaders over his alleged unilateralism in the coalition. Tsvangirai is also likely to use the consultations to test the waters ahead of the polls, which his party says must be held under a fully functional independent electoral commission.
Tension has been high in the fragile inclusive government since Tsvangirai complained bitterly over President Mugabe's unilateralism.
The GPA principals this week failed to meet for their weekly Monday meetings due to the latest fall-out. According to the GPA and Constitution Amendment Number 19 there should be consultations on the appointment of key bureaucrats between the three principals."
-o00o-
We have read in the past of drivers being pulled out of their motor vehicles and beat to a pulp by the numerous soldiers and policemen travelling in Mugabe's motorcade because they have failed to yield in time to the speeding Presidential vehicles...
But I don't think we have ever read of ZANU PF themselves getting in the way of the huge motorcade and being arrested and charged with failing to yield.
"Police on Wednesday arrested three ZANU PF youth for blocking President Robert Mugabe’s motorcade in Bulawayo last Friday.
Mugabe was in Bulawayo last week to officiate at National University of Science and Technology (NUST)'s 16th graduation ceremony.
However after the graduation ceremony when Mugabe’s motorcade - notorious for its strict security procedures and high-speed travel – was on its way back to Bulawayo Airport, a Silver Volkswagen Golf 4 vehicle which was part of the motorcade and belonging to Butho Gatsi the ZANU PF Bulawayo Provincial youth chairman, made an attempt to overtake another vehicle but in the process blocked the highway which saw the Mugabe motorcade coming to a sudden halt.
Gatsi, his deputy Lungisani Ngwenya and Mufindisi Dhewa who was driving the vehicle were arrested on Wednesday, five days after the incident, for negligent driving. Their vehicle was impounded and is at Ross Camp police station.
Police spokesperson Oliver Mandipaka said police are investigating the case."
We know that Mugabe is paranoid - but we don't hear too often of his anger being turned on his own. Somehow I do not think that this incident will reflect well on his CV, although it will probably be quieted by his apologists.
But I don't think we have ever read of ZANU PF themselves getting in the way of the huge motorcade and being arrested and charged with failing to yield.
"Police on Wednesday arrested three ZANU PF youth for blocking President Robert Mugabe’s motorcade in Bulawayo last Friday.
Mugabe was in Bulawayo last week to officiate at National University of Science and Technology (NUST)'s 16th graduation ceremony.
However after the graduation ceremony when Mugabe’s motorcade - notorious for its strict security procedures and high-speed travel – was on its way back to Bulawayo Airport, a Silver Volkswagen Golf 4 vehicle which was part of the motorcade and belonging to Butho Gatsi the ZANU PF Bulawayo Provincial youth chairman, made an attempt to overtake another vehicle but in the process blocked the highway which saw the Mugabe motorcade coming to a sudden halt.
Gatsi, his deputy Lungisani Ngwenya and Mufindisi Dhewa who was driving the vehicle were arrested on Wednesday, five days after the incident, for negligent driving. Their vehicle was impounded and is at Ross Camp police station.
Police spokesperson Oliver Mandipaka said police are investigating the case."
We know that Mugabe is paranoid - but we don't hear too often of his anger being turned on his own. Somehow I do not think that this incident will reflect well on his CV, although it will probably be quieted by his apologists.
-o00o-
Take care.
'debvhu
'debvhu
posted by Robb WJ Ellis at 7:55 AM
Union Jack (1963 - 64, 1998 - ??)
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