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.
That would provide a stepping stone for younger men such as Simba Makoni or Sydney Sekeramayi to move up into a position to become the party’s candidate for president.
Kasukuwere brushed off sentiments that Makoni was a technocrat saying he had his own support base and had enough connections within the business sector.
He also suggested that Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa and Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa were contenders for vice-president and eventually president.
Kasukuwere said Mnangagwa had earned a great deal of respect across the political spectrum for his even-handedness in overseeing parliament, an opinion that did not go down well with the embassy officials who immediately commented that Kasukuwere must be one of Mnangagwa’s few vocal supporters.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 00HARARE6189, AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ZIMBABWE RULING PARTY
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
021437Z Nov 00
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3649
PAGE 01 HARARE 06189 01 OF 02 021438Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 DOTE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00
SP-00 IRM-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02
G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /006W
——————99F0FF 021438Z /38
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7505
INFO NSC WASHDC
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 006189
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/10
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ZIMBABWE RULING PARTY
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 06189 01 OF 02 021438Z
“YOUNG TURK”
REFTEL: HARARE 5829
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR TOM MCDONALD FOR REASONS: 1.5
(B) AND (D).
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: ON NOVEMBER 1, AMBASSADOR AND POLOFF
MET WITH NEW ZANU-PF MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SAVIOUR
“TYSON” KASUKUWERE TO DISCUSS A VARIETY OF ISSUES,
INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTS IN HIS PARTY. KASUKUWERE, A
YOUNGISH BUSINESSMAN WITH STRONG PARTY TIES, SAID THAT
THE LAND ISSUE HAD BEEN BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION AND THAT
FARMLAND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM WHITE FARMERS BY
FORCE. HE ALSO PLAINLY STATED THAT PRESIDENT MUGABE AND
HIS CRONIES MUST BE PHASED OUT OF THEIR LEADERSHIP ROLE
AND PROPOSED THAT THE TWO VICE-PRESIDENTS SHOULD STEP
DOWN AS A FIRST STEP. THE MP STRUCK A MORE MODERATE
TONE THAN HIS “OLD GUARD” COUNTERPARTS IN PARLIAMENT,
BUT HE IS STILL VERY MUCH A ZANU-PF LOYALIST WITH A
SHADY BACKGROUND. END SUMMARY.
—————
MP DEBATES LAND
—————
¶2. (C) ON NOVEMBER 1, AMBASSADOR AND POLOFF (NOTETAKER)
MET WITH THE NEW ZANU-PF MP FOR MOUNT DARWIN SOUTH
SAVIOUR “TYSON” KASUKUWERE, TO DISCUSS A VARIETY OF
ISSUES, INCLUDING LAND AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HIS
PARTY. ON LAND, HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE ISSUE HAD
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 06189 01 OF 02 021438Z
BECOME POLITICIZED AND HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO BECOME
“EVERYTHING” IN POLITICAL DEBATE. COMMERCIAL FARMLAND
SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FORCEFULLY FROM THEIR OWNERS, BUT
THERE IS A NEED FOR LAND REDISTRIBUTION, KASUKUWERE
OFFERED. WHEN ASKED BY THE AMBASSADOR ON THE WAY
FORWARD ON LAND REFORM, THE MP SAID THAT ZIMBABWE WILL
AT SOME POINT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DONORS TO FINANCE
FARM PURCHASES. THE AMBASSADOR STRESSED THAT DONORS
WERE VERY UNLIKELY TO RESUME FUNDING UNTIL LAW AND ORDER
HAD BEEN RESTORED ON THE FARMS. KASUKUWERE STATED THAT
SQUATTERS MUST BE REMOVED FROM FARMS NOT DESIGNATED FOR
COMPULSORY ACQUISITION, IMPLYING THAT SQUATTERS ON
DESIGNATED PROPERTIES SHOULD REMAIN.
——————————
NEW DEAL ON MUGABE SUCCESSION?
——————————
¶3. THE CONVERSATION TURNED TO ZANU-PF INTERNAL POLITICS
AND THE SUCCESSION ISSUE. KASUKUWERE OPENLY STATED THAT
PRESIDENT MUGABE AND HIS CRONIES MUST BE PHASED OUT IN
ORDER FOR ZANU-PF TO SURVIVE. THE MP SUGGESTED THAT
SOME IN THE PARTY ARE TRYING TO GET THE TWO AGED VICE-
PRESIDENTS, SIMON MUZENDA AND JOSEPH MSIKA, TO STEP DOWN
AS A FIRST STEP. THAT WOULD THEN PROVIDE A STEPPING
STONE FOR YOUNGER MEN SUCH AS SIMBA MAKONI OR SYDNEY
SEKERAMAYI TO MOVE UP INTO A POSITION TO BECOME THE
PARTY’S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT. WHEN ASKED ABOUT
MAKONI’S POWER BASE, KASUKUWERE SAID THAT MAKONI HAS
ENOUGH CONNECTIONS WITH BUSINESS AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF
POLITICS TO MAKE HIM THE NEXT PRESIDENT. HE IS NOT A
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PAGE 04 HARARE 06189 01 OF 02 021438Z
TECHNOCRAT, AS MANY HAVE SAID, BUT HAS HIS OWN BASE OF
SUPPORT. KASUKUWERE SUGGESTED THAT SPEAKER OF
PARLIAMENT EMMERSON MNANGAGWA AND FORMER HOME AFFAIRS
MINISTER DUMISO DABENGWA ARE ALSO CONTENDERS FOR VICE-
PRESIDENT, AND EVENTUALLY, PRESIDENT. MNANGAGWA HAS
EARNED A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT ACROSS THE POLITICAL
SPECTRUM FOR HIS EVENHANDEDNESS IN OVERSEEING
PARLIAMENT, THE MP OPINED. (COMMENT: MNANGAGWA’S
EVENHANDEDNESS HAS BEEN SELECTIVE. HE STILL QUELLS
DEBATE AND MANIPULATES PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE IN ZANU-
PF’S FAVOR WHEN CRITICAL VOTES ARE ON THE LINE. THE
SPEAKER IS ALSO REPUTED TO BE FEARED AND DISLIKED BY
SENIOR MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY. KASUKUWERE’S REMARKS
SUGGEST THAT HE MUST BE ONE OF MNANGAGWA’S FEW VOCAL
SUPPORTERS. END COMMENT.) EVERYONE IN ZANU-PF CAN
“READ THE SIGNS” THAT CHANGE IS COMING, EVEN THE OLD
GUARD, KASUKUWERE SAID. THE PARTY CANNOT AFFORD TO
POSTPONE REFORM ANY LONGER, BUT, NONETHELESS, IT MUST BE
CARRIED OUT IN A MANAGED WAY, THE MP REMARKED.
—————————
LOCAL ELECTIONS AND THE DRC
—————————
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3650
PAGE 01 HARARE 06189 02 OF 02 021438Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 DOTE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00
SP-00 IRM-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02
G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /006W
——————99F110 021438Z /38
R 021437Z NOV 00
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7506
INFO NSC WASHDC
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 HARARE 006189
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/10
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ZIMBABWE RULING PARTY
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 06189 02 OF 02 021438Z
“YOUNG TURK”
¶4. (C) KASUKUWERE WRAPPED UP BY SAYING THAT THE GOZ IS
DELAYING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN HARARE AND OTHER CITIES
UNTIL ZANU-PF CAN WORK OUT A PLAN TO WIN THEM. IF
ELECTIONS WERE HELD TOMORROW, THE MDC WOULD CLEARLY
SWEEP EVERY CITY COUNCIL AND MAYORSHIP, THE MP ADMITTED.
HE ALSO AFFIRMED THAT HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE DEFENSE AND
HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN PARLIAMENT, AND THAT HE HAS
SPOKEN WITH PRESIDENT MUGABE ABOUT WITHDRAWING
ZIMBABWE’S TROOPS FROM THE DRC. HE SAID, WITHOUT
ELABORATING, THAT SOME TROOPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN BROUGHT
BACK HOME.
¶5. (C) COMMENT: KASUKUWERE STRUCK A MORE MODERATE TONE
IN HIS REMARKS THAN HIS “OLD GUARD” COUNTERPARTS, AND
CLEARLY INDICATED BY WHAT HE TOLD US THAT HE COULD BE
CONSIDERED A “YOUNG TURK” IN THE PARTY (REFTEL).
HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT MEAN HIS LOYALTY TO ZANU-PF IS
WAVERING, OR THAT HE IS CONSIDERING CLOSE COOPERATION
WITH THE MDC. OTHER SOURCES HAVE TOLD US THAT THE
BRAWNY KASUKUWERE DIRECTED THE CAMPAIGN OF PRE-ELECTION
VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION IN HIS MOUNT DARWIN SOUTH
DISTRICT, ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY AFFECTED AREAS. IT
UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRIBUTED TO HIS SWEEPING VICTORY OVER HIS
MDC RIVAL. HIS COMMENTS ABOUT GETTING THE VICE-
PRESIDENTS TO RESIGN ARE INTERESTING AND IT IS NOT
UNTHINKABLE THAT SUCH A PLAN MAY BE UNDER CONSIDERATION
WITHIN THE PARTY. HOWEVER, IF THE OLD GUARD IS SOON
REPLACED BY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, IT MAY NOT
NECESSARILY HARBINGER A WHOLESALE CHANGE IN HOW ZANU-PF
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 06189 02 OF 02 021438Z
RUNS THE COUNTRY. END COMMENT.
¶6. (C) BIO NOTE: SAVIOUR KASUKUWERE IS APPROXIMATELY
35-40 YEARS OLD. HE ORIGINALLY HAILS FROM MARONDERA
DISTRICT, WHERE HIS FAMILY WAS INVOLVED IN THE 1970S
LIBERATION WAR. HE ATTENDED UNIVERSITY IN BERLIN BEFORE
JOINING THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE ORGANIZATION (CIO),
WHERE HE SERVED FOR 8-9 YEARS. KASUKUWERE JOINED THE
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE IN 1995 BEFORE BEING ELECTED TO
PARLIAMENT IN 2000. HE OWNS A TRUCKING BUSINESS IN
MUTARE (FAR FROM HIS PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY OF MOUNT
DARWIN SOUTH–HE LIKES TO KEEP BUSINESS AND POLITICS
“SEPARATE,” HE TOLD US.) HE HAS GOOD ACCESS TO FINANCE
MINISTER SIMBA MAKONI, WHOM HE AND BUSINESS PARTNERS
APPROACHED RECENTLY FOR HELP IN OBTAINING FINANCING FOR
HIS BUSINESS OPERATIONS. HE IS MARRIED WITH THREE YOUNG
CHILDREN. END BIO NOTE.
MCDONALD
CONFIDENTIAL
>
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