All the Wikileaks cables on Zimbabwe

1001-Gono to educate the nation that capital flows to areas of greatest freedom

Central bank governor Gideon Gono, saying that 2006 had been his worst year in office, promised United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that he would stop moaning about sanctions and would educate the nation that capital flowed to “areas of greatest freedom”.

1002-Shamuyarira says Gono would be massacred if he stepped into politics

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front information boss Nathan Shamuyarira told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell that central bank governor Gideon Gono would be massacred if he stepped into the political ring.

1003-IMF says Gono is the worst central banker in the world

The International Monetary Fund mission chief Sharmini Coorey said that the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gideon Gono was the worst banker in the world by far.

1004-Gideon Gono reinvents Gideon Gono

Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador Christopher Dell, two days before the presentation of his first 2007 monetary policy statement, that he was going to begin “true reform”, promote national unity and engage the international community “East, West, North and South”.

1005-US ambassador says Gono is increasingly acting as de facto Prime Minister

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell said after the February 2007 cabinet reshuffle, central bank governor Gideon Gono was increasingly acting as the de facto Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.

1006-Mugabe’s grip limits economic reform

President Robert Mugabe was firmly in control of the country and central bank governor Gideon Gono had to kowtow to him over every incremental devaluation and cloak it obsequiously as a magnanimous gesture from the president.

1007-Gono goes to the streets for money

Central bank governor Gideon Gono was in March 2007 forced to go the streets for money after South African banks refused to give him credit to finance food imports, his advisor Munyaradzi Kereke told United States embassy officials.

1008-Zvobgo says Mugabe no longer trusts Mnangagwa and Mujuru

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front loyalist Eddison Zvobgo said President Robert Mugabe was not likely to step down after being re-elected as had earlier been speculated because he was worried about his personal safety if he left office.

1009-Gono told US ambassador that ZANU-PF did not rig elections

Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front would not rig the elections and would seek to work with Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai if he won.

1010-US implores EU to place Gono on sanctions list

The United States implored the European Union to include central bank governor Gideon Gono on its sanctions list soon after the 2008 presidential elections run off when it sought to press for a United Nations Security Council Resolution that would allow military intervention in Zimbabwe.

1011-France says it will support inclusion of Gono on EU sanctions

France said it would support the inclusion of central bank governor Gideon Gono on the European sanctions list which would in turn facilitate his inclusion on the United Nations Security Council list.

1012-The 14 people the US wanted on the UN sanctions list

President Robert Mugabe topped the list of 14 Zimbabwean politicians and security chiefs that the United States wanted to be included on the United Nations sanctions list which it was to table on 9 July 2008. Second on the list was defence forces chief Constantine Chiwenga followed by Emmerson Mnangagwa and fourth was Gideon Gono.

1013-Italy not committed on Gono

The Italian government said it supported the Security Council resolution on Zimbabwe which entitled the United Nations to intervene militarily in the southern African country but said it had no comment on central bank governor Gideon Gono at the time.

1014-Belgium has no objections to Gono’s addition to sanctions list

Belgium said it had no objection to the addition of central bank governor Gideon Gono’s name to the United Nations Security Council sanctions list.

1015-Business accuses Gono of assuming functions of Ministry of Finance

Members of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce blasted the government for policy inconsistencies and reversals and accused the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe of usurping the functions of the Ministry of Finance.

1016-Tsvangirai said there was no room for Gono in new government

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee way back in August 2008 that there was no room for central bank governor Gideon Gono in the new government.

1017-Tsvangirai met Gono to reassure him of his future before GPA

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai met central bank governor Gideon Gono to reassure him and security chiefs that there would be no witch hunt if a good political agreement was reached with the MDC.

1018-British PM told Tsvangirai no help if Mugabe retained executive power

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown phoned Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai not to budge emphasising that there would not be any international engagement with Zimbabwe if President Robert Mugabe retained executive power.

1019-Who is who in the Parliamentary Select Committee?

On 12 April 2009, two months after the formation of the inclusive government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Lovemore Moyo, announced the formation of the Parliamentary Select Committee for a New Constitution.

1020-Biti demands investigation of Gono

Finance Minister Tendai Biti demanded that cabinet should investigate central bank governor Gideon Gono over the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s US$1.2 billion debt.

1021-Tsvangirai persuades Gono to step down

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai met central bank governor Gideon Gono to convince him to step down after a heated debate in cabinet that he should be investigated for the central bank debt.

1022-Biti adamant that Gono has to go

Finance Minister Tendai Biti was adamant that central bank governor Gideon Gono had to leave the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the issue had to be dealt with as soon as possible, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee.

1023-Biti describes Mugabe as bosom buddy, lambasts Mnangagwa

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said although there were three outstanding “toxic” issues within the Global Political Agreement, President Robert Mugabe was very cooperative and acted as a “bosom buddy”.

1024-Biti, Chamisa pile pressure on Tsvangirai to deal with Mugabe

Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Information and Communications Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa piled pressure on Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to get President Robert Mugabe to resolve all outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement in just five days.

1025-Britain’s Miliband calls for support for MDC-controlled ministries

Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told United States permanent representative to the United Nations Susan Rice that the international community needed to show support for the transitional government in Zimbabwe by infusing assistance funds to projects supported by reformers in the Movement for Democratic Change-controlled ministries.

1026-Johnnie Carson says Mugabe’s stay in power is infinite

United States assistant secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson said he had long regarded President Robert Mugabe’s stay in office as infinite as long as the security forces were behind him.

1027-US ambassador questions MDC ability to push for reform

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee told Finance Minister Tendai Biti that the exit of central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana from the scene was very important in assuring observers that Zimbabwe was serious about reform.

1028-Confusion over loan from China

There was confusion as to whether Zimbabwe had received a loan of US$950 million from China or not just five months after the signing of the inclusive government.

1029-Biti buries Zimbabwe dollar

Finance Minister Tendai Biti demonetised the Zimbabwe dollar in his mid-year budget for 2009 and said he would buy all balances held by the financial sector for an estimated US$6 million.

1030-Tomana refuses to budge

Attorney-general Johannes Tomana reasserted the legitimacy of his appointment as the government’s top prosecutor when he was challenged by two Movement for Democratic Change leaders Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa.

1031-Zimbabwe forecasts first positive growth in a decade

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Zimbabwe was expected to have a positive growth of 3.7 percent in 2009, the first positive growth in a decade. The economy had declined by a cumulative 48 percent between 2000 and 2008.

1032-Biti told: “prepare your will”

Finance Minister Tendai Biti on 27 July 2009 received an envelope with a 9mm bullet and a note advising him to “prepare his will”.

1033-Biti on diamonds committee

Finance Minister Tendai Biti was appointed to the diamonds committee in response to the concerns raised by the Kimberley Process which had barred the trade of rough diamonds from the Marange fields.

1034-Biti asks South Africa for more aid

South Africa had given Zimbabwe R200 million in financial assistance but Finance Minister Tendai Biti had asked for more.

1035-Biti laments that Zimbabwe is still a failed state

Although Zimbabwe’s economy had progressed tremendously in the first seven months of 2009 with revenue increasing from US$4 million in January to US$90 million in July, Finance Minister Tendai Biti told a United States treasury official Andy Baukol that Zimbabwe was still a failed state.

1036-US embassy says no one is keen on elections

The United States embassy in Harare said way back in August 2009 that Zimbabwe was not likely to hold any elections within the period set under the Global Political Agreement because none of the political parties in the GPA was eager to hold elections.

1037-Biti confident Zimbabwe and South Africa will conclude BIPA

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said he was confident that negotiations on the long-awaited Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement between Zimbabwe and South Africa would be concluded soon.

1038-Pretoria bails out Biti

South Africa had paid Zimbabwe the last tranche of the R300 million that it had pledged to the inclusive government, but it was not in a position to give Finance Minister Tendai Biti an additional R1 billion that he had requested.

1039-How Mugabe balanced his cabinet after the 1987 unity with ZAPU

President Robert Mugabe has always survived on how he balances his cabinet. His Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has always said it is against racialism, tribalism, nepotism and all the other –isms, but the West has always looked at African politics along tribal and ethnic lines.

1040-Tutu says Mugabe is making a cartoon of himself

South African Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu said President Robert Mugabe was almost a caricature of all things people think black African leaders do.

1041-Only a call to Mugabe by US president can stop violence- ambassador

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald told State department officials at the height of farm invasions in Zimbabwe in 2000 that nothing short of a telephone call from President Bill Clinton to President Robert Mugabe would stop the violence.

1042-Mugabe says farm invasions are “practical self-help”

President Robert Mugabe told United States embassy officials that the farm invasions by war veterans were a demonstration of practical self-help so he was not going to send in the army or police to restrain them.

1043-US embassy says Mugabe is using land as a smokescreen

President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were using the land issue to drum up nationalist sentiment and garner votes for the pending parliamentary elections, the United States embassy said in a cable two months before the 2000 elections.

1044-Mugabe wanted out of DRC but was not prepared to abandon Kabila

President Robert Mugabe was looking for a way out of the Democratic Republic of Congo in early 2000 but at the same time he did not want to abandon DRC President Laurent Kabila.

1045-Mugabe shifts focus from real issues to land

President Robert Mugabe had succeeded brilliantly in shifting the focus of the electoral campaign debate in 2000 away from what really ailed the country -the failing of leadership and the economic morass- to the land issue.

1046-SADC leaders pile pressure on Kabila to accept Masire as mediator

Zimbabwe’s Southern African Development Community allies in the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict, Namibian President Sam Nujoma, DRC President Laurent Kabila and Angolan President Jose Eduardo do Santos met in Harare on 25 June 2000 to apply pressure on Kabila to accept Sir Ketumile Masire as facilitator of the national dialogue.

1047-US embassy said CIO agent headed ZCTU after Tsvangirai

The United States embassy claimed that Isidore Zindoga, who replaced Morgan Tsvangirai as secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions when Tsvangirai left to lead the Movement for Democratic Change, was a Central Intelligence Organisation agent.

1048-Mugabe, Dos Santos key to peace in DRC

President Robert Mugabe and Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos were key to securing peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo where President Laurent Kabila had rejected mediation by former Botswana President Ketumile Masire.

1049-Chindori-Chininga says Mugabe is obsessed with land question

Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism Edward Chindori-Chininga told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that although tourism was one of Zimbabwe’s major foreign currency exchange earners, President Robert Mugabe was so obsessed with the land question that this was not important to him.

1050-Chiwewe asks US to drop case against Mugabe

The permanent secretary for Foreign Affairs Willard Chiwewe on 3 November 2000 asked United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald to ask his government to stop a civil lawsuit that had been filed against President Robert Mugabe in New York.

1051-SADC ministers bulldoze Zimbabwe to reform troika

Southern African Development Community foreign and defence ministers had to bulldoze Zimbabwe to reform the organ on politics, defence and security into a troika.

1052-US embassy says Mugabe will not be pushed off the scene

President Robert Mugabe was not going to go gently into that good night of retirement and it was almost impossible to convince him to do so.

1053-Mugabe’s presidential succession race down to two runners

Despite the emergency of the Movement for Democratic Change as a viable opposition with the potential to win elections and take over the government, the West and Zimbabweans have been obsessed with who is going to succeed President Robert Mugabe as if the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front is going to rule forever.

1054-Mugabe retains troika chair

President Robert Mugabe remained chair of the Southern African Development Community organ on politics, defence and security though the regional organisation had agreed that the chair should rotate from August.

1055-How Mugabe will hang on to power

President Robert Mugabe was expected to use all resources of his office, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the state to win the 2002 elections and deny the Movement for Democratic Change presidency.

1056-Mudenge says Mugabe has never refused to go

Former Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge said President Robert Mugabe had never refused to go but there was a campaign to discredit him in an attempt to frustrate the land reform programme he had embarked on.

1057-ZIDERA meant to punish Zimbabwe for doing the right thing

The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, which was being drafted by the United States government, was meant to punish Zimbabwe for doing the right thing- redistributing land equally among all citizens irrespective of colour, religion or political affiliation, the Herald said.

1058-Zambian diplomat says ZIDERA is welcome if it will hasten Mugabe’s departure

Zambian diplomat Ben Shawa told United States embassy officials that the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act was welcome if it would hasten President Robert Mugabe’s departure from the scene.

1059-Daily News editors arrested

Three senior editors of the Daily News, Geoff Nyarota, William Saidi and John Gambanga were arrested together with reporter Sam Munyavi over a story that alleged that police vehicles had been used to assist people looting commercial farms in Chinhoyi.

1060-Harassment of journalists continues

Police picked up and questioned more journalists from the independent media. On August 21, they questioned two journalists from the Mirror, Wallace Chuma and Constantine Chimakure over a story that police assisted looters in Chinhoyi.

1061-Two sides to the Abuja agreement

The Sunday Mail called in a major breakthrough and a victory for Zimbabwe and Africa. The Daily News said it was a demonstration that Commonwealth nations were against the lawlessness promoted by President Robert Mugabe.

1062-Mugabe sent Bush a message of condolence on 911

President Robert Mugabe sent United States President George Bush a message of condolence on the 9 September2001 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Centre saying this could only be the work of the most remorseless and hardened enemies of the United States and all peace loving people in the world.

1063-Mugabe trapped

President Robert Mugabe was trapped by the international community into signing the Abuja Agreement as this was going to show his true colours, the Financial Gazette said in its take on the Commonwealth brokered agreement.

1064-Zimbabwe shuts out uninvited election observers

Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Wutawunashe told a United States embassy official that Zimbabwe only accepted invited election observers, so observers should not foist themselves onto the electoral process.

1065-Reader says Mugabe’s condolence message to Bush is hypocritical

A Daily News reader said it was hypocritical of President Robert Mugabe to express outrage at the terrorism which struck the United States on 11 September 2001 while he accepted terrorism as a political tool at home.

1066-Paper asks why monitor Mugabe and not Bush?

The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said the European Union had abandoned sovereignty for gangsterism after it gave Zimbabwe an ultimatum on the issue of seconding election monitors to the country’s 2002 presidential elections.

1067-US ambassador’s anti-terror opinion piece receives wide coverage

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan’s opinion piece on the anti-terror campaign following the attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001 received wide coverage in two local papers, the Daily News and the Financial Gazette.

1068-Mugabe liable to pay damages for violence

A United States federal court ruled that President Robert Mugabe, as the first secretary of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front, was liable to damages related to the political violence in the run up to the 2000 parliamentary elections.

1069-ZANU-PF has become a monster

The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front had become a monster which believed it was larger than life. This was the view of one of the country leading weekly papers in its analysis of the amendments to the Electoral Act in the run up to the 2002 president elections which it said were going to be a gigantic fraud.

1070-Mugabe undeterred by sanctions

President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front were not deterred by threats of sanctions from the United States, the European Union and the Commonwealth and were all out to win the 2002 presidential election at all costs, the United States embassy said.

1071-Change of radio station shuts off VOA

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation rebranded its Radio 1 to Spot FM removing what the United States embassy said was the last vestige of the Rhodesian Broadcasting Service.

1072-Mugabe dressed down

That was what the Daily News led with when the United States approved the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which imposed sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.

1073-Mogae says Mugabe is acting like a wounded buffalo

Botswana President Festus Mogae told United States officials that President Robert Mugabe was acting like a wounded buffalo so there was no way Zimbabwe was going to have free and fair elections.

1074-Muzenda asks Bush to assist in condemning violence

Vice-President Simon Muzenda asked United States President George Bush to assist in condemning all those elements in the political arena who seemed bent on pursuing their political ambitions through acts of terror.

1075-Zimbabwe is a sovereign state that does not need foster parents

Zimbabwe was a sovereign state that did not need foster parents to tell it what to do at every turn, the Bulawayo daily, the Chronicle, said in an editorial soon after the passing of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act.

1076-Time is running out for Mugabe

Time was running out for President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front because the international tide against their repressive rule was rising, and rising very fast, and the noose was tightening.

1077-Herald ignores top US official’s visit to Zimbabwe

The Herald completely ignored a three-day visit to Zimbabwe by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner, reporting only on the donation he made to local HIV/AIDS organisations without mentioning his presence, but the private media gave him favourable coverage.

1078-Allowing observers would erase Mugabe’s reputation of a power-crazed, aged dictator.

The Daily News said Zimbabwe should allow international observers to observe the 2002 presidential poll because this would erase in one fell swoop President Robert Mugabe’s odious reputation of “a power-crazed, aged dictator”.

1079-Mugabe says ZIDERA is an insult to the people of Zimbabwe

President Robert Mugabe described the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act as repugnant and provocative adding that it was a bold insult to the people of Zimbabwe and an intolerable insult to parliament.

1080-AIPPA and POSA before parliament

Two controversial bills, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill and the Public Order and Security Bill, were due to come before Parliament.

1081-Army warns journalists

Zimbabwe’s military and security chiefs warned journalists against publishing false reports that discredit the leadership and membership of security organisations saying that any reports and actions designed to create instability in Zimbabwe will be met with the full force of the law.

1082-Paper warns: end violence or face bloodbath

The Financial Gazette warned President Robert Mugabe and his militias from continued violence in the run-up to the 2002 presidential elections saying they risked a bloodbath from an anguished and inflamed nation.

1083-Army blackmails voters

The Daily News accused the Zimbabwe Defence Forces of blackmailing voters and said that the statement by army generals that they would not salute anyone without liberation credentials signalled that democracy in Zimbabwe was no longer in the intensive care but was dead.

1084-Gono planned to start his own party

Central bank governor Gideon Gono told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGhee in August 2008 that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and President Robert ugabe were so weak that he intended to start his own party.

1085-Government spending spree oils banks

The government’s spending spree in the run-up to the presidential elections run off of 2008 provided commercial banks with liquidity as all the money was channelled through formal banks.

1086-US applauds EU for placing Gono on sanctions list

The United States welcomed the European Union’s addition of central bank governor Gideon Gono and some state-owned enterprises to its sanctions but urged the EU to consider listing all individuals and entities on its sanctions list.

1087-Gono allows dollarisation

Central bank governor Gideon Gono allowed partial dollarization on 10 September 2008 by licensing some wholesalers, retail shops and service stations to increase the availability of goods and improve capacity utilisation by manufacturers.

1088-Gono and Grace wanted to marginalise Tsvangirai

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono and First Lady Grace Mugabe wanted to delay the inauguration of the inclusive government and marginalise Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

1089-Gono and Chiwenga were against MDC taking on Home Affairs and Finance

Defence Forces Chief Constantine Chiwenga and central bank governor Gideon Gono were strongly opposed to the handing over of the Ministry of Home Affairs because they were afraid that the police would investigate them for corrupt activities.

1090-Who will be beheaded first- Gono, Mugabe, Mutambara, Chihuri…?

A five-minute video simulating a hostage situation of prominent Zimbabweans which was posted on YouTube and ended with the beheading of a cardboard cut-out of central bank governor Gideon Go0no after a litany of charges against him were raised, found its way onto the Wikileaks cables.

1091-Mzembi says Gono is running scared

Masvingo legislator Walter Mzembi told United States embassy officials, a month after the signing of the Global Political Agreement, that central bank governor Gideon Gono was running scared because he wanted a position in government, probably as finance minister, but was being left out of the inclusive government.

1092-Gono diverted AIDS funds

Central bank governor Gideon Gono diverted US$8 million that was meant for HIV/Aids programmes of the Zimbabwe Association of Church Hospitals and nongovernmental sub-grantees but it was not clear what the money was used for.

1093-Tsvangirai said ZANU-PF still treated MDC as junior partner

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said progress in forming an inclusive government was very slow because the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was still treating the MDC as a junior partner.

1094-Biti will fail if he tries to take over from Tsvangirai- researcher

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who is also the secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change, will fail just like Welshman Ncube, if he tries to take over the leadership of the party from Morgan Tsvangirai, a senior researcher with the Institute of Security Studies Takawira Musavengana told diplomats in Pretoria.

1095-Mangoma says Zimbabweans must rely on themselves

Former Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma said Zimbabweans must rely on themselves to find a solution to problems in the country because the Southern African Development Community was largely ineffective.

1096-Tsvangirai frustrated but says he cannot leave inclusive government

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he was frustrated because the Movement for Democratic Change’s commitment to the Global Political Agreement had been met with nothing on the part of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front but provocative actions.

1097-Biti says Zimdollar not coming back soon

Finance Minister Tendai Biti told delegates to a mining investment conference that the Zimbabwe dollar was not going to make an early return.

1098-Biti and Mangoma say MDC will win elections despite violence

Minister of Finance Tendai Biti and then Minister of Economic Development Elton Mangoma said the Movement for Democratic Change was ready for elections and even if there was a repeat of the 2008 violence and intimidation the MDC would win the elections.

1099-Biti named best finance minister in Africa

Finance Minister Tendai Biti was named by Euromoney Emerging Markets the Best Finance Minister in Africa. Biti had withstood steady abuse from the government press for prudent policies that put a stop to the destabilising habits of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono.

1100-Mudenge tells EU Zimbabwe will not be bullied

Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge told the European Union that Zimbabwe was not happy with the arbitrary and unilateral manner in which it was making demands rather than seeking mutual consultations with Harare because this was a violation of the spirit of the partnership envisaged under the Cotonou Agreement.

1101-Writer on why the West hates Mugabe

Former film producer Olley Maruma said the West hated President Robert Mugabe because he had broken out of the straight jacket of kowtowing to American and British interests.

1102-Daily News says it is dangerous to let Zimbabwe off the hook

The Daily News said it was dangerous for the Commonwealth not to expel Zimbabwe from the organisation because this emboldened the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front into cockiness that might translate into an escalation of violence against the opposition.

1103-ZIDERA exposes lack of patriotism among Mugabe’s lieutenants

The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act had exposed the lack of patriotism among President Robert Mugabe’s lieutenants as their children were studying in London, Sydney, New York and elsewhere while children of Zimbabwe’s long-suffering tax payers were being sent to the Border Gezi Training Centre before descending on the innocent populace to mete out violence on their own parents.

1104-Chronicle lambasts prophets of doom

The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, lambasted what it called prophets of doom who were already predicting civil unrest and genocide after the presidential elections of 2002 all because the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front candidate, Robert Mugabe, was going to win.

1105-We do not need a surrogate president

The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, declared that Zimbabwe did not need a surrogate president who would always remind the nation, when he had sold everything including his soul, that the people voted for him.

1106-Herald celebrates Commonwealth decision

The Herald said the Commonwealth summit in Australia had firmly put Britain in its place when it refused to expel Zimbabwe from the organisation.

1107-Paper urges voters to tell President Robert Mugabe to go

The Financial Gazette urged Zimbabwean voters in the 2002 presidential elections to stand up with one voice and tell President Robert Mugabe to go.

1108-African diplomats felt MDC was not qualified to take over

African diplomats felt that the Movement for Democratic Change was not qualified to take over the reins of power in the run-up to the 2002 presidential elections despite the political hankerings of the Zimbabwean people.

1109-Paper says US and Britain plan to oust Mugabe

The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said the United States and Britain were planning a military offensive to oust President Robert Mugabe if he won the 2002 presidential elections which were then just two days away.

1110-The choice is simple: Fist or Palm

The Zimbabwe Independent said the choice for Zimbabweans in the 2002 presidential elections was simple. It was between the fist and the outstretched palm.

1111-D-Day for Zimbabwe

The Herald declared the first day of polling in the 2002 presidential elections as D-day because Zimbabweans had to decide their political and economic future in that election.

1112-Why Tsvangirai cannot be trusted to run the country

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai could not be trusted to run the country because he had vigorously campaigned for sanctions and power blackouts, something that directly affected the ordinary man in the street, the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said on the eve of the presidential elections in 2002.

1113-Daily News warns people cannot stand by if ZANU-PF steals the election

All the people, including the rural folk, were not going to stand idly by if the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front tried to steal the 2002 presidential elections.

1114-Mugabe wins, Tsvangirai mourns

President Robert Mugabe won the 2002 presidential elections with a 427 000 majority but his main rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change rejected the results as “the biggest fraud he has ever witnessed”.

1115-Mugabe should change his vision for Zimbabwe

President Robert Mugabe must now begin to chart a new and different vision for Zimbabwe compared to the one he rammed through the nation for two decades, no matter how late.

1116-People will regret voting for Mugabe

People who voted for President Robert Mugabe in one of the most controversial elections would live to regret their preference for a party of violence and lies, the Daily News warned after the 2002 presidential elections which Mugabe won overwhelmingly.

1117-Mugabe pulls the most fraudulent poll in the 21st century

President Robert Mugabe pulled probably the most fraudulent poll in the 21st century when he won the 2002 presidential elections beating Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai by 427 000 votes, according to the Daily News.

1118-Big divide between privately owned and state media

The big divide between the privately owned and state owned media was clearly evident after the release of the 2002 presidential elections results with the privately owned media questioning the legitimacy of the poll and the state owned media urging the nation to move on.

1119-Chronicle talks of another plot to oust Mugabe

The Chronicle said it had uncovered another plot by the United States and Britain to oust President Robert Mugabe. This time, it said, this involved a planned three-day stay away organised by the labour movement.

1120-Daily News says Commonwealth should send clear message to Mugabe

The Daily News said the Commonwealth which was meeting to decide the fate of Zimbabwe should send a loud and clear message to President Robert Mugabe that it did not condone his behaviour in the just ended presidential elections.

1121-Mugabe must know the world is watching his every move

The suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth must serve to remind President Robert Mugabe that the rest of the world is watching his every move and will pounce on him if he continues to stray from the straight and narrow path of good governance.

1122-What kind of democracy is this?

That was the question that The Herald asked when Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth. The paper said the British had achieved what they had been fighting for.

1123-Journalists urged to fight AIPPA to the bitter end

Journalists must fight the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to the bitter end because the act is full of restrictions and barriers and reeks of the intolerance and xenophobia that has characterised the Robert Mugabe administration for years.

1124-EU bullying tactics going too far

The European Union was taking its bullying tactics too far because it held the ill-advised belief that its racist membership had the divine right to decide the fate of developing countries, the Bulawayo daily, the Chronicle, said immediately after the release of the 2002 presidential elections.

1125-Zimbabwe does not need dirty money

The United States should withhold its money if it will be used to destroy democracy and create a dependency on donor funds, the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said after the United States threatened to cut aid to African countries for accepting election results in Zimbabwe in 2002.

1126-Nyarota arrested for publishing false news

Geoff Nyarota, editor-in-chief of the Daily News, was picked up by the police on allegations of publishing a false news item on the outcome of the March 2002 presidential poll but was released on the same day.

1127-Mugabe will have same ignominious exit as Smith

President Robert Mugabe and his government will face the same ignominious exit as former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith did or it could even be worse, the Financial Gazette warned as the country celebrated its 22nd anniversary.

1128-Mugabe’s hypocrisy

President Robert Mugabe had displayed a lot of hypocrisy as the country celebrated its 22dn anniversary as he was portraying himself as a unifying dove of peace when over recent years his tone had been one of hate, bitterness and division.

1129-Where are the police?

This was the question that the Financial Gazette asked as increasing acts of banditry continued amid silence from President Robert Mugabe and lack of action by the police in dealing with the hooligans.

1130-Rare victory for Mugabe

While the local private media was still questioning President Robert Mugabe’s legitimacy, he received a tremendous morale booster when Zimbabwe was elected to the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights barely two months after his disputed victory.

1131-Mugabe believes he should rule until he drops dead!

Some African rulers like President Robert Mugabe believe that their destiny is to rule their countries until they drop dead.

1132-Mugabe, Bin Laden and Tsvangirai

There was nothing wrong for Zimbabweans to say that a British-sponsored party would never rule the country because equally the United States would never salute Osama Bin laden if he won an election in that country.

1133-Herald claims smart sanctions have failed

The Herald said President Robert Mugabe’s visit to the United Nations in May 2002, shortly after the United States had slapped smart sanctions on him and his lieutenants, was a clear indication that the smart sanctions had failed to work.

1134-Mugabe massaging own political ego

President Robert Mugabe’s visit to the United Nations indicated that massaging his own political ego was more important for President Robert Mugabe than facing head-on the problems his government had created at home.

1135-NEPAD doomed to fail if leaders ignore rogue rulers

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development was doomed to fail if founding leaders South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo did not get to grips with rogue leaders in their midst like Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

1136-Mugabe angry that white farmer cannot use land

President Robert Mugabe was angry that a white farmer could not use his land to increase production of wheat and tobacco prompting Agriculture Minister Joseph Made to announce new drastic measures to speed up the land reform.

1137-Joy TV closed down

Zimbabwe’s privately owned broadcasting station, Joy TV, closed down on 31 May 2002, after its lease agreement with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation was cancelled.

1138-Daily News says travel restrictions are working

The Daily News said travel restrictions against President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants were working contrary to reports by the State-owned media but President Mugabe had only been allowed into the United States because he was on United Nations business.

1139-Lawyers accused of plotting to overthrow the government

Two Harare lawyers, Sternford Moyo and Wilbert Mapombere, were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and were released after 48 hours.

1140-Where are Mugabe’s overseas assets?

While trying to prove that the travel ban on President Robert Mugabe was ineffective because he had once again managed to travel to Rome without any hindrance, The Herald asked a very pertinent question which remains unanswered to this day, 10 years down the line: Where are Mugabe’s overseas assets?

1141-Msika, Nkomo and Ndlovu wanted Mugabe to go

Vice-President Joseph Msika and party chairman John Nkomo told former Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front supremo Eddison Zvobgo that the only solution to Zimbabwe’s crisis was for President Robert Mugabe to go.

1142-Robertson on how Zimbabwe was getting its fuel

The Mugabe administration was literally mortgaging the country’s assets to obtain fuel according to economist John Robertson.

1143-Mugabe says he means it-gays are worse than dogs and pigs

President Robert Mugabe, who had been under intense attack for his remarks that gays were worse than dogs and pigs, reiterated the same sentiments six years later saying: “When I say gays are worse than dogs and pigs, I really mean it because pigs don’t do unnatural things.”

1144-Ban sanction campaigners

The Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, said the government should not treat its enemies with kid gloves when it was clear that they wanted to destroy the country.

1145-Businessmen challenge ZIDERA- report

A group of unnamed businessmen who had been denied entry into the United States under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act were reportedly planning to challenge the law, according to a report in the Business Tribune.

1146-Industry leaders accuse Gono of trying to buy favours to silence them

Industry leaders accused central bank governor Gideon Gono of trying to buy favours and avoid criticism from the industrial sector after he gave the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries an unsolicited gift of eight vehicles at the height of the country’s economic crisis in 2008.

1147-Herald comes to Gono’s defence over AIDS funds

The Herald came to central bank governor Gideon Gono’s defence after it had been revealed that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had diverted US$7 million that had been donated to Zimbabwe by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and malaria.

1148-Gono’s policy flip-flopping

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono reinstated the real time gross settlement scheme barely a month after suspending it against technical advice from his advisers.

1149-Gono tries to make amends for failed policies

Central bank governor Gideon Gono raised the corporate daily cash withdrawal limit from Z$1 million (US$1 on the parallel market) to the equivalent of 120 percent of the previous week’s cash bankings.

1150-Chiadzwa has to the potential to become one of the world’s largest diamond mines

The former chief executive of Zimplats, one of the country’s largest platinum producers, told United States embassy officials that Chiadzwa had the potential to become one of the world’s biggest diamond mines.

1151-Mugabe renews Gono’s term

President Robert Mugabe renewed central bank governor Gideon Gono’s term in office for five years effectively killing speculation that he would be sacked due to his lax monetary policies and extensive quasi-fiscal operations that pushed inflation through the roof.

1152-Gono pre-empts protest march

Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono increased the individual and corporate cash withdrawal limits from Z$500 000 and Z$1 million a day to Z$100 million and Z$50 million respectively with effect from 4 December defusing a scheduled protest march by civil society groups demanding unlimited cash withdrawals.

1153-Parties agree to Amendment 19

Negotiators from ZANU-PF, MDC-T, and MDC-M agreed on a draft Amendment 19 to the Zimbabwean constitution on November 27 paving the way for the formation of a government of national unity.

1154-Gono for vice-president of World Bank!

“Just as I was being dragged to the UN Security Council to be put on the sanctions list, I was offered a job by the World Bank as senior vice president with the full blessings of none other than George Bush himself”.

1155-Military cut Gono out of Marange diamonds

The military cut central bank governor Gideon Gono out of the Marange diamonds in late November 2008 and was now in full control, Newman Chiadzwa told United States embassy officials on 7 January 2009.

1156-Tsvangirai says Gono is still an issue

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the appointment of central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana had to be rescinded before the MDC could join a government with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.

1157-Soldiers steal Gono’s chickens

Six armed soldiers reportedly stole 175 chickens at one of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono’s farms. The soldiers – who had not been paid on time – told the farm manager Gono owed them money.

1158-Zimbabwe has second longest unbroken multiparty democracy in Africa

Zimbabwe had the second longest unbroken record as a multiparty democracy in Africa so it was surprised as to why the United States was complaining about the breakdown of the rule of law and human rights and lack of democracy.

1159-Zimbabwe is not a punch bag for Western nations

Zimbabwe was not a punch bag for bullies from the Western world who, while preaching democracy, had autocratic foreign policies. This was said by the Bulawayo daily, Chronicle, in an editorial in which the paper supported President Robert Mugabe’s threats to hit back at the Western nations by imposing sanctions on them as well.

1160-Did Mugabe pay US blacks to support him?

A group of African Americans who visited Zimbabwe in August 2002 came under fire from the Daily News which accused them of being used as a propaganda tool by President Robert Mugabe to demonstrate that his land reform programme had international support.

1161-Media hype before earth summit

Pro-government papers hailed the World Summit for Sustainable Development in South Africa as the unique platform for President Robert Mugabe to set the record straight on the land issue.

1162-Media play up US plot to oust Mugabe

The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front newspaper, The People’s Voice, called it American madness. But it warned that no Western power was mighty enough to intimidate the heroic people of Zimbabwe.

1163-Earth summit, another useless talk shop

The World Summit on Sustainable Development was going to be another useless talk shop as people like President Robert Mugabe were going to talk about eradicating poverty and disease and empowering their nations and protecting the country’s national resources yet back home he would be all out to crush opponents and all voices of democracy.

1164-Perceptions of what Mugabe said at earth summit

President Robert Mugabe’s: “So Blair, keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe,” speech at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, received mixed reaction from the country’s two leading dailies.

1165-Five years of ruinous policy

President Robert Mugabe had embarked on a ruinous path which had seen gross domestic product decline by 35 percent between 1998 and 2002 and there was no prospect for recovery without a sweeping policy overhaul.

1166-How to manipulate the Zimbabwe media

It was an elaborate dress rehearsal. Everything was planned to the last detail. There would be 12 to 15 journalists. The two United States diplomats would sit as planned with the US and Zimbabwe flags behind them. The press would be seated in a semi-circle because the effect sought was conversational.

1167-SADC sees the light at last

The Daily News applauded the Southern African Development Community’s decision to block President Robert Mugabe from the SADC chairmanship saying the regional organisation had seen the light at last.

1168-Government starves commercial sector to hide fuel shortage

Fuel queues disappeared abruptly over one weekend in October 2002 giving an impression that the government had addressed the fuel shortage in the country but what had happened was that it had ordered suppliers to starve commercial clients to serve retail customers only.

1169-USAID-funded poll surprises even the Americans

A United States Agency for International Development-funded opinion poll conducted by the Mass Public Opinion Institute surprised United States embassy officials when it revealed that people were evenly divided over the fairness of the 2002 presidential poll.

1170-Tsvangirai calls on UN to intervene in Zimbabwe to stop civil war

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in October 2002 appealed to United States President George Bush to appeal to the United Nations Security Council to intervene in Zimbabwe to stop a bloodbath bath in Zimbabwe.

1171-Business tries to engage Mugabe

The heads of eight large business corporations launched the Business Initiative in Zimbabwe to build dialogue with President Robert Mugabe’s government hoping to win the President’s trust by underwriting projects that he approved of.

1172-Will the economy implode?

Zimbabwe’s economy was shrinking by one percent every month around 2002 that the United States embassy asked whether it would implode.

1173-Ncube urged US to expel children of those on its sanctions list

Movement for Democratic Change secretary general Welshman Ncube said sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants were effective in turning the heat on Zimbabwe’s primary decision makers but he expressed concern that an asset freeze had not been implemented.

1174-Tsvangirai accuses Britain and South Africa of trying to maintain ZANU-PF in power

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai on 18 December 2002 accused Britain and South Africa of working with elements in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front the maintain ZANU-PF’s hold on power.

1175-ANC agreed to a plan for Mnangagwa to take over from Mugabe

The African National Congress of South Africa allegedly bought into a plan by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front under which President Robert Mugabe was to serve his term but would appoint Emmerson Mnangagwa as Prime Minister to gradually take over most of the executive functions from him.

1176-Zvobgo was working to force Mugabe out

Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front supremo Eddison Zvobgo told United States embassy officials that he and a group of dissatisfied party cadres were working to force President Robert Mugabe out.

1177-Witness implicates US in Mugabe assassination plot

A key state witness in the trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s treason trial said the United States government new about the alleged assassination plot of President Robert Mugabe because one of the participants at his meetings with Tsvangirai was a Central Intelligence Agency official.

1178-US ambassador says no government can reverse land reform in Zimbabwe

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan said way back in 2003 that though he felt that land reform in Zimbabwe was unjust and devastating to agriculture, he did not believe that any future government could completely reverse it or pay full compensation.

1179-Paper praises France for its stance on Zimbabwe

The Daily Mirror praised France for inviting Zimbabwe to the Franco-African summit in Paris saying France had a clearer vision of present day international relations than Britain and the United States.

1180-Mugabe says US and UK are trying to impose new colonialism on Third World

President Robert Mugabe has accused the United States and the United Kingdom of trying to impose a new form of colonialism on developing countries.

1181-Government opens up but……….

The government abandoned its fanciful official exchange rate of Z$55 to a greenback to Z$824 to US$1 and brought up tariffs for fuel and energy more in line with their US dollar values but there were fears that this might not be enough to resuscitate the economy that had been in free fall for five years.

1182-Food donor surprised Msipa is a politician after all

The assistant country director of CARE International Stephen Gwynne-Vaughn was surprised that Midlands provincial governor Cephas Msipa was a politician after all when he distributed fertilizer at a function at which his organisation was launching its food distribution programme to the people of Lower Gweru.

1183-Zimbabwe media and the war in Iraq

The Zimbabwean media, both state-owned and privately owned, used the war in Iraq to advance their own political messages though in most cases their sources of news were the same.

1184-Mugabe ready to leave but……

Nathan Shamuyarira, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front spokesman and close ally of President Robert Mugabe, told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan way back in 2003 that Mugabe was ready to retire any time even before the end of his term but he wanted a dignified exit.

1185-Daily news says journalist’s deportation will not silence journalists

The Daily News said the deportation of American journalist Andrew Meldrum was not going to silence him or other journalists. “Through its deportation of Meldrum, President Robert Mugabe’s regime has merely added to the list of journalists who are determined to tell the true story of Zimbabwe, even if they have to do it from beyond the country’s borders,” the paper said.

1186-Economic slide continues

Zimbabwe’s economic slide continued with fuel lines getting longer, sometimes reaching 4 kilometres, and according to the United States embassy business leaders were increasingly joining the Movement for Democratic Change’s call for a final push.

1187-Army and police should not side with tyranny

The first duty of the army and the police is to the people of the Zimbabwe. They cannot and must not side with tyranny. This was said by the Daily News in May 2003 when it urged the security forces not to use strong-arm tactics against demonstrators who were going to participate in an anti-government protest that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change.

1188-Tsvangirai must pay for his sins

The divide between the State-owned and privately-owned media was amply demonstrated in the run-up to the proposed week-long anti-government demonstration that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change in June 2003.

1189-Shamuyarira accuses US and UK of backing a coup

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira accused the United States and Britain of backing what he called a coup d’état.

1190-Tsvangirai arrested ahead of protest

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested on the first day of the proposed week-long protest aimed at forcing President Robert Mugabe to step down.

1191-If you break the law do it once to seize power!

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters had followed Julius Caesar’s advice- if you break the law do it once to seize power- but they had failed to seize power, the Herald commented after the first day of the proposed week-long anti-government demonstration to force President Robert Mugabe to step down.

1192-US outlines its plans for Zimbabwe after Mugabe

The United States showed why it was interested in Zimbabwe when the Movement for Democratic Change launched a week-long anti-government protest aimed at forcing President Robert Mugabe out of office.

1193-Did West pour billions into MDC protest?

The State-owned Herald claimed on 4 June 2003, two days after the start of a week-long protest called by the Movement for Democratic Change to topple President Robert Mugabe, that the West had poured billions of dollars into the protest but was now “red in the face” because the exercise had been futile.

1194-Daily News asks Tsvangirai: what next?

The Daily News which hailed the week-long anti-government protest that had been called by the Movement for Democratic Change to force President Robert Mugabe to step down went for MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai asking him that now the protest was over what was he going to do next.

1195-Delusionist in State House!

The success of the week-long anti-government demonstration called by the Movement for Democratic Change had drawn the attention of the country and the world to the connection between brutal misrule and economic collapse, the Independent said.

1196-Mugabe is finished politically

President Robert Mugabe is finished politically and can no longer stand up and brazenly claim that the people are behind him. This was the view of the Daily News on Sunday after the week-long anti-government protest that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change to force Mugabe to step down.

1197-Mugabe still packs a punch

President Robert Mugabe went on the offensive after the week-long anti-government demonstration that had been called for by the Movement for Democratic Change to force him to step down declaring: “I am ready for a fight, I am getting younger…, and I still can punch.”

1198-Daily News says Mugabe must take up US offer to pull Zimbabwe out of crisis

The Daily News said Zimbabweans must not allow President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to sacrifice on the alter ego the latest opportunity offered by the United States to pull Zimbabwe out of crisis.

1199-Herald brushes off Powell as an Uncle Tom and slow learner

The State-owned Herald brushed off United States Secretary of State Colin Powell as a boot-licking Uncle Tom and a disappointing slow learner.

1200-Mugabe and Tsvangirai in a quandary over GPA

President Robert Mugabe did not want the inclusive government to collapse and at the same time the Movement for Democratic Change did not have a Plan B except for elections.

1201-Biti’s budget woes

Finance Minister Tendai Biti told diplomats in October 2009 that though government revenue had risen to US$90 million a month, 20 times more than his ministry had been getting when he assumed office, it still fell short of government spending.

1202-IMF worried about continuing mismanagement at RBZ

The International Monetary Fund warned that Zimbabwe’s fragile economic recovery could be derailed by mismanagement at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

1203-NGO bemoans MDC’s underestimation of ZANU-PF

The leader of a non-governmental organisation who was described by the United States embassy as a long time political analyst in Zimbabwe bemoaned the Movement for Democratic Change’s clumsy political missteps, its underestimation of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, and lack of political forethought.

1204-MDC’s Majome says Chinamasa is frank and open but is undermining her

Deputy Minister of Justice Jessie Majome described her job as a fight against “constant marginalisation” because her boss Patrick Chinamasa, attorney general Johannes Tomana and permanent secretary David Mangota were undermining her.

1205-EU working on a programme to remove security chiefs as a threat!

Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe Stan Rylander said the European Union was working with a group of Zimbabweans to craft a programme that would remove the security chiefs as a threat to future reform, but he told United States embassy officials that this must be handled carefully.

1206-Biti gains confidence

Finance Minister Tendai Biti had gained some confidence after his first year in office and announced a 2010 budget that had an US$810 million deficit. Biti who had insisted on spending what the government had announced a US$2.25 billion budget when revenue was expected to be only US$1.44 billion.

1207-Mining recovers but

Zimbabwe’s mining sector was expected to grow by two percent in 2009 after a decade of steep decline but there were fears that the new indigenisation laws could slow down the growth.

1208-Swazi diplomat says Mugabe is a political Maradona

Swaziland principal secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Clifford Mamba described President Robert Mugabe as a “political Maradona” who was adept at keeping regional leaders on his side.

1209-Tsvangirai says Gono is the lesser of two evils

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray that although his party was pushing for the resignations of central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana because their appointments were illegal, they preferred to see Tomana step down.

1210-Zimbabwe short of 1000 MW, but exports electricity

Zimbabwe was short of 1 000 megawatts of power but was exporting 150 megawatts to Namibia to pay for the refurbishment of four plants at its Hwange Thermal Power Station.

1211-US ambassador says sanctions do not keep investors out of Zimbabwe

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray said sanctions were not keeping investors out of Zimbabwe because they could manage economic and security risks. “What keeps them away is political risk”.

1212-Biti asks US to lift sanctions on three banks

Finance Minister Tendai Biti wrote to the United States government to lift sanctions on three banks, the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe, Agribank and ZB Bank and Building Society, to speed up economic reforms.

1213-No land audit until sanctions are lifted

Agriculture Minister Joseph Made told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray way back in January 2010 that there would be no land audit in Zimbabwe until sanctions had been lifted.

1214-Biti the only MDC leader who has the respect of SADC chiefs

Movement for Democratic Change secretary general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti was the only MDC leader who had the respect of the Southern African Development Community chiefs, Democratic Republic of Congo ambassador Bene M’Poko said.

1215-Military chiefs worried about Tsvangirai victory

Military chiefs were worried about a victory by Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai way back in 2000 because it was not clear whether he would grant them amnesty. The worry stemmed from the fact that the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had just lost the referendum for a new constitution, its first defeat in 20 years.

1216-Nkomo says no harm will come to Tsvangirai

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front chairman John Nkomo assured United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald in the run up to the 2000 parliamentary elections that no harm was going to come to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai but at the same time he warned the opposition leader to be careful.

1217-MDC official says no amnesty for Chihuri

The Movement for Democratic Change planned to offer amnesty to 10 of Zimbabwe’s top military leaders but this was not going to include police chief Augustine Chihuri because he was “hopeless”. This was disclosed to United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald by businessman Clive Puzey who led an MDC delegation that met McDonald on 10 April 2000.

1218-Three killed as violence escalates

Two members of the Movement for Democratic Change and a white farmer were killed as violence escalated in the run-up to the 2000 elections and continued farm occupations. The two MDC members were killed on 15 April when the truck they were in which carried party supporters was attacked and stopped by gun-totting assailants who went on to firebomb the vehicle.

1219-Farmers’ leader complaints violence is not being fully reported

The head of the Commercial Farmers Union Tim Henwood complained to the United States embassy that the media was not picking up on numerous and severe beatings of black farm workers by war veterans.

1220-Tsvangirai criticises US for focussing on DRC and not Zimbabwe

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai criticised the United States for what he perceived to be its emphasis on engaging President Robert Mugabe on the Democratic Republic of Congo crisis at the expense of domestic problems in Zimbabwe.

1221-Mugabe calling all the shots

President Robert Mugabe, smarting from his first defeat in the referendum for the new constitution, was calling all the shots as violence escalated in the run-up to the June 2000 elections. No one, not even his deputy Joseph Msika or Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa or powerful war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi, could stop the violence after Mugabe had said no one was moving from the farms that they had occupied.

1222-Greed is colour blind

The war against white farmers in the run-up to the 200 elections was not racist. It was about greed. The farmers were being targetted because they possessed wealth, the United States embassy said in a cable dispatched on 11 May 2000.

1223-Rumour mill gives MDC victory

The Movement for Democratic Change was reported to have won 60 percent of the constituencies in the 2000 elections, according to the rumour mill which was spurred by the party’s victories in Matabeleland.

1224-Bennett says MDC is good at campaigning not governing

Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett said the party was good at campaigning but it lacked a cadre of people who knew how to run a government.

1225-Biti blasts ZANU-PF

Finance Minister and Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti blasted the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front for attempting to sabotage the inclusive government.

1226-Tsvangirai says Makoni is a coward

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told an officer of the British High Commission that Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front member Simba Makoni was a coward when he accepted the post of Minister of Finance.

1227-Senior police try to keep their juniors in check

Support for the Movement for Democratic Change was growing in the Zimbabwe Republic Police forcing senior police officers to pile pressure on their juniors to crack down on the MDC.

1228-Mujuru asked MDC for amnesty in return for coalition government

Former army commander Solomon Mujuru approached the Movement for Democratic Change without the knowledge of President Robert Mugabe to agree to a complete amnesty of current and past government officials and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic front leaders in return for a coalition government way back in 2000.

1229-Investors showing renewed interest in Zimbabwe

Investors were showing renewed interest in Zimbabwe due to the country’s abundant natural resources and well-educated populace way back in February 2010, according to a cable dispatched by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray ahead of a visit by a congressional delegation led by Gregory Meeks.

1230-UK can’t find why eight parastatals were put on EU sanctions

The head of the Zimbabwe unit in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office John Dennis said research by the British government had failed to establish why eight Zimbabwean parastatals were put on sanctions in the first place.

1231-US assessment of inclusive government after one year in office

The United States remained convinced that there would be no real change until there was an election that would bring a reform government to power. That was its assessment of the inclusive government after its first year in office but two more years have passed since then.

1232-Tsvangirai says Mugabe will not last another six months

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting United States delegation in December 2002 that President Robert Mugabe would not last another six months.

1233-Packages galore for Mugabe to step down

Several packages were lined up towards the end of 2000 for President Robert Mugabe to step down and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had agreed to Mugabe’s graceful exit because it was in Zimbabwe’s national interest, according to MDC advisor Clive Puzey.

1234-Tsvangirai says it would be risky to make him disappear

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that although a lot of people would like to see him “disappear from the face of the earth” this would be quite risky for the government.

1235-Tsvangirai questioned over “Mugabe should go peacefully” remark

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was questioned for two hours over his 30 September 2000 remark that President Robert Mugabe “should go peacefully..if not , we will remove you violently”.

1236-Chindori-Chininga dodges Mugabe succession issue

Deputy Minister of Mines Edward Chindori-Chininga told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that there were two issues to President Robert Mugabe’s succession issue: whether he should contest the 2002 elections or he should step down as head of state but remain party leader.

1237-Did MDC ask US to help remove Mugabe or not?

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had to personally meet United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald to apologise for a diplomatic embarrassment after a press release from his party had implied that the party had asked the US for help to remove President Robert Mugabe from power.

1238-US ambassador says Tsvangirai and MDC are distracted and unfocussed

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald was thrilled when Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told him that the party had not yet decided on whether to go ahead with the planned mass action in December or not.

1239-The four scenarios that the MDC faced

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told diplomats on 21 November 2000 that his party was considering four scenarios for its role in Zimbabwe.

1240-MDC cancels mass action but keeps government guessing

The Movement for Democratic Change cancelled the mass action proposed for December 2000 but party president Morgan Tsvangirai said the mass action had been “deferred indefinitely” but would be “constantly reviewed” to put pressure on the government to hold early presidential elections.

1241-ZANU-PF wins Marondera by-election

The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front won the Marondera by-election but its candidate Ambrose Mutinhiri, a retired brigadier general and former ambassador to Yugoslavia, garnered far fewer votes than his predecessor whose death in a car accident brought about the by-election.

1242-How to get Mugabe out

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said twelve years ago the military was one of the major influences on President Robert Mugabe, with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and regional leaders being the other two, so all three had to turn against him to force Mugabe to leave the scene.

1243-Bikita poll marred by violence

The Bikita West by-election which had been necessitated by the death of Amos Mutongi of the Movement for Democratic Change was marred by violence as the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front went all out to regain the seat it had held before the June 2000 elections.

1244-Dealing with Mugabe the consummate survivor

Although presidential elections were just a year away, the United States embassy in Harare was so convinced that President Robert Mugabe would not just go away and mapped out strategies to deal with him and recommended action that the new United States government under George Bush should take.

1245-US embassy feared Zindoga might cut off ties between ZCTU and MDC

The United States embassy in Harare was worried that acting secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Isidore Zindoga, who was suspected of being either a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation or the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front might cut off ties between the labour movement and the Movement for Democratic Change if he was elected secretary general.

1246-ZANU-PF offered MDC 40% of cabinet seats if it entered GNU in 2001

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front offered the Movement for Democratic Change 40 percent of the cabinet posts in government as well as one vice-presidency if it entered into a government of national unity.

1247-Mugabe predicted to win one year before elections

University of Zimbabwe research fellow Brian Raftopoulos, described by the United States embassy as one of Zimbabwe’s best thinkers with an uncanny knack for predicting events that come to pass, said President Robert Mugabe was going to win the 2002 presidential elections which were more than a year away but this would be an illegitimate election.

1248-Mugabe behind offer for GNU

President Robert Mugabe was behind the offer for a government of national unity made by Speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa, Movement for Democratic Change advisor Clive Puzey said.

1249-Winning an election is different from winning power- Tsvangirai

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the British more than a decade ago that winning an election was very different from winning power.

1250-Pro-MDC element carries the day at ZCTU congress

The pro-Movement for Democratic Change element of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions took control of the labour movement at its congress when Lovemore Matombo was elected president and Wellington Chibhebhe secretary-general.

1251-ZANU-PF vote buying fails

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front bagmen came to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions congress in 2001 with bags of money to buy votes for pro-ZANU-PF candidates but the plan flopped.

1252-Labour issues pushed to the backburner at ZCTU Congress

Politics dominated the elections of the new executive of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in 2001 while purely labour issues were pushed to the backburner.

1253-Tsvangirai was opposed to sanctions- Wikileaks reveals

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was opposed to the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe arguing that they would hurt ordinary Zimbabweans and not the intended target, a cable released by Wikileaks says.

1254-Security forces not taking chances with MDC in Chitungwiza

Zimbabwe’s security forces were not taking any chances in Chitungwiza because it had become the largest potential hotbed for anti-government demonstrations in the country, the United States embassy said.

1255-Only Queen of England can convince Mugabe to change his behaviour

The United States needed to send an eminent person like its former ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young to encourage President Robert Mugabe to moderate his policies, former Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Welshman Ncube told US acting principal deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Bellamy.

1256-Marathon SADC meeting sets date for Tsvangirai swearing in

A marathon Southern African Development Community Extraordinary Summit meeting ended at about 4 am on 27 January 2009 with the regional organisation declaring that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai should be sworn in on February 11 as Prime Minister with cabinet ministers being sworn in two days later.

1257-Tsvangirai says Mugabe needs me more than I need him

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he was not happy with the allocation of ministries in the inclusive government but he had agreed to join the government for the sake of the people. He said the only way the Movement for Democratic Change could save the people was by joining the government.

1258-Tsvangirai says his first order of business is to replace Gono

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told diplomats six days before his swearing in that his first order of business would be to replace central bank governor Gideon Gono because he had become a liability who continued to violate laws.

1259-Gono embraces market policies at last

Central bank governor Gideon Gono in what appeared to be his last monetary policy statement under the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front government announced the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, removed 12 zeros from the Zimbabwe dollar but said the local currency would remain on the market.

1260-Gono’s bank accuses him of trying to protect ZANU-PF cronies

A senior executive of the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, where central bank governor Gideon Gono served was chief executive officer before moving to the central bank, said Gono had set the foreign exchange withdrawal ceiling too high probably to allow ZANU-PF cronies to move large amounts of money out of the country easily but to the detriment of the banking sector.

1261-Gono frees gold but clamps on platinum and diamond producers

Central bank governor Gideon Gono announced in his latest monetary policy statement that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was allowing gold producers to sell their own bullion. But at the same time he revoked the concession allowing platinum and diamond miners to keep offshore foreign currency accounts saying they should hold accounts with local banks.

1262-US said it could work with Qadhafi to advance its interests

The United States said, as late as January 2009, though some African heads of state viewed the election of Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi as African Union chair as a “lost year” there were areas where it could work with Libya to advance its interests towards engagement with the AU.

1263-Tsvangirai challenges ZANU-PF actions

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was caught by surprise when President Robert Mugabe reassigned a number of permanent secretaries without consulting him.

1264-Mugabe says Gono will not go

President Robert Mugabe said he did not see any reason why the people he had appointed recently, including central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana, should go, and they were not going to go.

1265-The MDC’s big mistake

The Movement for Democratic Change, which embarked on the major restructuring exercise with the appointment of Isaac Maposa as national coordinator, was making a big mistake in assuming that the popularity of the party would translate into electoral triumph in the 2002 presidential elections.

1266-Tsvangirai case referred to Supreme Court

High Court judge Moses Chinhengo on 7 May 2001 referred the case of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to the Supreme Court at the request of his lawyer Chris Andersen.

1267-Zvobgo says people of Masvingo are disenchanted with Mugabe

Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front provincial supremo Eddison Zvobgo said he was not going to campaign for the party candidate in the Masvingo mayoral elections to show his disenchantment.

1268-US tries to dictate the course for Zimbabwe

The United States embassy hosted a reception for an International Monetary Fund mission team, barely a month after the swearing in of the inclusive government, and tried to dictate to the team what was wrong with Zimbabwe.

1269-Tsvangirai says violence does not pay

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said political parties that rely on violence to win elections have no place in the new democratic dispensation.

1270-Tsvangirai says three quarters of the armed forces are with us

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said although the military’s top brass was solidly behind President Robert Mugabe, three quarters of the armed forces were with the MDC.

1271-US embassy says Chief Justice Chidyausiku is a ZANU-PF stooge

The United States embassy described current Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku as a Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front stooge.

1272-ZANU-PF wins key by-election

The Zimbabwe African national Union-Patriotic Front won a key by-election in its stronghold of Mashonaland Central when its candidate Elliot Manyika won the Bindura seat to replace Border Gezi.

1273-Tsvangirai says Mugabe mistrusts everyone

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said his party was prepared to let President Robert Mugabe retire and live in peace but the Zimbabwean leader “doesn’t believe us”.

1274-Tsvangirai needs armoured car

The National Coordinator of the Movement for Democratic Change Isaac Maposa told a visiting United States senate delegation that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai needed an armoured car ahead of the 2002 presidential elections.

1275-Poll confusing

A poll by the Financial Gazette revealed confusing results with unweighted data showing that President Robert Mugabe would win the 2002 presidential elections while the weighted data showed that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai would win.

1276-Mugabe walks out on EU team

President Robert Mugabe walked out of a meeting with a European Union delegation when they asked about election observers for the 2002 presidential elections saying they should leave Zimbabwe alone because it was capable of conducting elections on its own.

1277-Mudede is like a referee who throws away the whistle to join one team

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the registrar-general Tobaiwa Mudede was a ZANU-PF partisan who acted like a referee who throws away his whistle and joins one team.

1278-Tsvangirai charged with possessing walkie-talkie

In what his lawyer described as pure harassment Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was charged with possessing an unlicenced radio- one of the walkie-talkies used by his bodyguards.

1279-Mugabe closer to having his ideal court

President Robert Mugabe got closer to having his ideal court when two independent judges Nicholas McNally and Simbarashe Muchechetere left the scene, one through death and the other by resigning, according to the United States embassy.

1280-Military says it will not salute anyone without liberation credentials

Zimbabwe’s military and security chiefs announced on 9 January 2002, two months before the presidential elections, that they would not tolerate any president who did not observe the objectives of the liberation struggle.

1281-Zvobgo planned to ditch Mugabe for Tsvangirai two weeks before elections

Masvingo Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front provincial supremo Eddison Zvobgo planned to ditch President Robert Mugabe and endorse Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai two weeks before the 2002 presidential elections in exchange for the post of Speaker of Parliament.

1282-Tsvangirai told British land reform was least priority

The United States and British governments were so convinced that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai would win the 2002 presidential elections that they were working on ways to bail out the MDC government, a month before the elections.

1283-US embassy says MDC’s aid request is unrealistic

The United States embassy said the sum required by the Movement for Democratic Change for the transition period, which exceeded US$1 billion, was unrealistic but at least it showed that the party was aware of the enormity of the challenges that it faced.

1284-US embassy says Mugabe is firing a dud

The United States embassy brushed off reports that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had planned to assassinate President Robert Mugabe saying this was just another attempt to discredit Tsvangirai ahead of the presidential elections.

1285-Nigerian security adviser wondered how MDC could govern

Nigeria’s national security adviser Aliyu Mohammed told United States embassy officials in Abuja that President Olusegun Obasanjo had asked President Robert Mugabe to consider retirement during his trip to Harare in January 2002 but Mugabe had said he could only consider retiring after winning the presidential elections.

1286-Mugabe agreed to GNU as long as Tsvangirai was not in it

President Robert Mugabe agreed to a government of national unity shortly after winning the 2002 presidential elections so long as Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was not included in it.

1287-Tsvangirai charged with treason

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was formally charged with treason on 20 March 2002, just a week after losing the presidential elections.

1288-MDC files challenge of presidential elections

The Movement for Democratic Change on 12 April filed a 135-page legal challenge of the March 2002 presidential elections which were won by President Robert Mugabe.

1289-Joy TV suspends BBC news

The country’s only nominally private television station Joy TV suspended British Broadcasting Corporation news programming without any explanation.

1290-Tsvangirai wanted Tsumba to replace Gono

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney-general Johannes Tomana had to go and Gono could be replaced by former central bank governor Leonard Tsumba.

1291-Tomana a bigger issue than Gono

President Robert Mugabe could not fire central bank governor Gideon Gono and attorney general Johannes Tomana because Gono still provided Mugabe with funds while Tomana was a useful tool to harass and distract political opponents.

1292-Bloch says Gono is a genius

Bulawayo business consultant Eric Bloch said central bank governor Gideon Gono was a genius who should be allowed to see his second term in office out because his removal would not be in the best interest of Zimbabweans.

1293-Bennett says villagers speak about two main issues: Gono and justice

Movement for Democratic Change treasurer Roy Bennett told a United States congressional delegation that villagers across Zimbabwe consistently spoke about two main issues that should be resolved: the continued tenure of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and the need for some form of justice.

1294-Minister says multi donor trust fund is state avoidance mechanism

The Minister of Regional Integration Priscillah Misiharibwi-Mushonga said the multi-donor trust fund, a transitional financial structure to ensure the proper use of foreign assistance was a “state avoidance” mechanism to address donor concerns with the misuse of funds by central bank governor Gideon Gono.

1295-IMF says Gono not important as long as there is strong board

The head of an International Monetary Fund mission to Zimbabwe Vitaly Kramenko said the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe remained problematic but the continuation of Gideon Gono as central bank governor and board chair was not critically important as long as the rest of the board was made up of strong, independent members.

1296-Ministers give principals one week to report on outstanding issues

Movement for Democratic Change cabinet ministers pressed all principals, President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, to resolve all outstanding issues and report back within a week.

1297-Why Tsvangirai will not allow inclusive government to collapse

The inclusive government which brought together the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front three years ago will not collapse because Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai views its failure as a personal failure.

1298-MDC was prepared to accommodate Gono to get rid of Tomana

The Movement for Democratic Change was prepared to accept the retaining of central bank governor Gideon Gono in return for the firing of attorney-general Johannes Tomana because Tomana was “much more destructive”.

1299-Gono’s wings clipped but RBZ bill criticised

A bill that will clip the wings of the Reserve bank of Zimbabwe governor is before parliament but critics fear that the bill was personalised and might have to be amended to create a more independent central bank.

1300-Armed robberies force people to deposit money in banks

An increase in armed robberies had forced many people to deposit money in banks for the sake of security otherwise most Zimbabweans were still sceptical about putting their money in banks.

1301-Gono spins SDR allocation

Central bank governor Gideon Gono reportedly told The Herald that the International Monetary Fund had finally agreed to give Zimbabwe $500 million after months of behind the scenes interaction with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe when in fact this was a new allocation of special drawing rights to all IMF members.

1302-Tsvangirai says Mugabe is a tyrant

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said President Robert Mugabe was a tyrant who had ignored democratic principles and become isolationist because of his belief that the West had shunned him due to his land reform programme.

1303-New 112-room mansion for Gono

Central bank governor Gideon Gono was reported to have moved into his new 112-room mansion on the outskirts of Harare. The new residence was reported to feature an art gallery, a billiard room, a swimming pool with three islands, and four helipads.

1304-Gono wins Ig Nobel Prize

Reserve Bank Gideon Gono received the Ig Nobel Prize in Mathematics on 1 October 2009 for “giving people a simple, everyday way to cope with a wide range of numbers – from very small to very big – by having his bank print bank notes with denominations ranging from one cent ($.01) to one hundred trillion dollars ($100,000,000,000,000)”.

1305-MDC pull out in 2009 was all a façade

The Movement for Democratic Change’s pull out from the government in October 2009 was all a façade aimed at wringing concessions from the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front and getting the sympathy of the Southern African Development Community.

1306-Tsvangirai says ZANU-PF is taking him for a ride

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told diplomats that the Movement for Democratic Change had pulled out of the government because the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was taking him for a ride.

1307-Gono used $40 million of banks’ reserves without authorisation

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono used US$40 million of the banks’ reserves lodged with the central bank without authorisation and it is not clear what the money was used for, Minister of Economic Development at the time Elton Mangoma told United States diplomats.

1308-Gono not formally joining ZANU-PF

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor refused to take up the post of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for finance for Manicaland province saying this would contradict the apolitical nature of his RBZ role and also because of his “enormous national commitments”.

1309-DRC ambassador says Gono is profiteering

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Mawapanga Mwana Nanga said central bank governor Gideon Gono must have been profiteering from his actions because the things that he was doing did not make sense.

1310-Gono sells his bank to Germans

Central bank governor Gideon Gono approved in record time the sale of 54 percent of Premier Bank to German investors in a deal worth $6 million unilaterally fast-tracking a waiver on the country’s stringent banking and indigenisation laws.

1311-ZANU-PF MP lauds sidelining of Gono

A Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front legislator Simba Mudarikwa told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray in February 2010 that one of the most important achievements of the inclusive government was the sidelining of central bank governor Gideon Gono. Mudarikwa whose name was crossed out in the cable origi

1312-History of ANC and ZANU-PF not as close as people think

The history between the African National Congress of South Africa and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was not as close as people think, South Africa’s High Commission to Zimbabwe Zola Skweyiya said. While welcoming establishment of the media, elections, and human rights commissions, he said the commission leaders would be critical for progress.

1313-ZANU-PF requests suspension of talks with MDC

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front on 9 May 2002 requested the suspension of talks with the Movement for Democratic Change citing as one of the reasons the MDC’s challenge of the presidential elections which President Robert Mugabe had won in March.

1314-Obasanjo says talks will continue

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of the facilitators of the talks between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change, said the talks between the two parties would continue even if he had to travel to Harare personally to make that happen.

1315-MDC plans mass action to force Mugabe out

The Movement for Democratic Change was left with no option but to organise mass action to force President Robert Mugabe out after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leader insisted his party would not participate in inter-party talks until after the courts had ruled on the MDC’s legal challenge of the presidential elections.

1316-Tsvangirai says MDC is under pressure from the people

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting United States delegation that his party was under pressure to craft a firm response to the stolen presidential election as Zimbabweans were angry and did not accept the status quo.

1317-Zimbabwe dollar plummets

The Zimbabwe dollar plunged by 70 percent in three weeks but what was more disturbing was that no one knew when the slide would end. The United States embassy said as the parallel forex market was a free market, it was largely supply and demand that determined the price and the fundamental reason for the slide was that demand exceeded supply.

1318-Government said MDC could not hire South African lawyer

The government denied a request by the Movement for Democratic Change to hire a South African lawyer Jeremy Gauntlett to represent party leader Morgan Tsvangirai in his challenge of the presidential election results. The MDC required clearance from the Ministry of Justice to hire a lawyer from outside the country.

1319-ZANU-PF wins Kadoma mayoral seat

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front won the Kadoma mayoral seat by a slim margin with its candidate Fani Phiri polling 6 886 votes against the Movement for Democratic Change’s Editor Matamisa who won 6 214 votes.

1320-Tsvangirai advised not to attend Heroes Day for security reasons

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was advised not to attend the Heroes Day celebrations because his security could not be guaranteed. Several MDC Members of Parliament attended the event.

1321-Zvobgo says Tsvangirai case will be dismissed

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Masvingo provincial supremo Eddison Zvobgo said the treason case against Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai was going to be dismissed because of the inadmissibility of the implicating videotape.

1322-Cross says ZANU-PF manipulation of food should be referred to UNSC

The Movement for Democratic Change’s secretary for Economic Affairs Eddie Cross said the government’s manipulation of food deliveries should be referred to the United Nations Security Council as this was a major human rights issue.

1323-Tsvangirai held in suspense for four months

The government postponed the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to February 2003, thus keeping him in suspense for four months since the state would be holding his passport.

1324-Gandi Mudzingwa says planning for mass action taking most of his time

Gandi Mudzingwa, special advisor to the Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said planning for mass action was taking most of his time and attention. He said groups of 20 women, each, had converged on police stations in Harare’s high density suburbs to deliver a petition demanding that the people’s human rights be respected.

1325-Tsvangirai complains about Zuma to Mbeki

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai complained to South African President Thabo Mbeki about the way his Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma was handling the Zimbabwean crisis. In a letter to Mbeki Tsvangirai complained that Dlamini Zuma was only talking to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and not the MDC.

1326-Tsvangirai says Mugabe will not last another six months

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting United States delegation in December 2002 that President Robert Mugabe would not last another six months.
Ten years down the line, they are in government together and Mugabe who is now 88 says he will contest the next elections.

1327-Mudzuri gaining support at the expense of Tsvangirai

The mayor of Harare Elias Mudzuri was gaining support at the expense of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai as people were beginning to question the effectiveness of Tsvangirai’s approach to the Zimbabwean problem.

1328-Too early to celebrate!

Innocent Chagonda, the lawyer for Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in his treason case, was confident about winning his case but the United States embassy warned that the stakes were high and there were signs that should worry the MDC.

1329-Journalists arrested at Tsvangirai’s trial

Two journalists Pedzisayi Ruhanya of the Daily News and Ishmael Mafundikwa, a freelance journalist, were arrested outside the High Court in Harare as they sought entrance to cover the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his two lieutenants.

1330-Government agreed to pay Ben Menashe US$1 million

Ari Ben Menashe, the star witness in the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said the government had agreed to pay him US$1 million for his services and had already paid $400 000.

1331-Tsvangirai’s lawyer exposes Ben Menashe’s unfulfilled government contracts

George Bizos, the lead lawyer for Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, trashed Ari Ben Menashe’s credibility when he exposed that he had signed a number of contracts with governments for which he was paid but never delivered.

1332-Ben Menashe dodges defence lawyer’s questions

Ari Ben Menashe, the key state witness in the treason trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, continued to dodge questions from Tsvangirai’s lead lawyer George Bizos who also appeared to be playing to the gallery.

1333-Judge arrested

High Court judge Benjamin Paradza was arrested for allegedly trying to influence three fellow judges to release the passport of his business partner and friend Russell Wayne Luschagne who was facing murder charges.

1334-Ben Menashe says Tsvangirai is nuts

Canadian businessman Ari Ben Menashe said Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who he described as the future president of Zimbabwe, was nuts.

1335-MDC mobilised old women to support Tsvangirai during his trial

The Movement for Democratic Change mobilised about 30 women aged between 45 and 60 to attend the trial of party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to show support because interest in the trial was waning as it entered its fifth week.

1336-Why Obasanjo and Nigerians supported Mugabe

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo supported President Robert Mugabe during the early years of the Zimbabwe crisis because he believed that he owed a debt to Mugabe.

1337-US ambassador told Tsvangirai that Mugabe should go

United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Joseph Sullivan told Movement for Democratic Change leader that any settlement that would lead to the setting up of an interim coalition government should provide for President Robert Mugabe’s departure.

1338-CNN stringer stopped from filming at Supreme Court

A stringer for CNN Bob Coen was stopped from filming near the Supreme Court but was not given any reason until later when he was told that the area was now restricted.

1339-Zvobgo says Hunzvi is certifiably unstable

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for legal affairs Eddison Zvobgo said he hated war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi because he was “clearly certifiably unstable”.

1340-Hunzvi implicated in torture claims

At least four people in Harare were tortured in or near a medical office run by war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi, who was a medical doctor, a team of medical experts that had been invited to Zimbabwe to investigate cases of state-sponsored torture said.

1341-Hunzvi among the 15 big losers

The United States embassy considered war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi as one of the big losers when he failed to make it to President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s narrow victory over the Movement for Democratic Change in 2000.

1342-US embassy says Mugabe sees himself as the Fidel Castro of Southern Africa

The United States embassy in Harare said President Robert Mugabe saw himself as the Fidel Castro of Southern Africa and was on a crusade to secure his place in history as the black Zimbabwean who brought land back to his people and fought imperialism.

1343-Faint hope of cutting Hunzvi down to size

Police evicted war veterans from a farm on the outskirts of Harare and set their makeshift huts ablaze raising hopes that they might finally cut war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi to size.

1344-Farmers urge US to push Mbeki to put pressure on Mugabe

Commercial farmers told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald that the only effective tool that could turn President Robert Mugabe around was the threat of a total cut off of fuel and electricity by South Africa.

1345-If Hunzvi hits you, hit back

Movement for Democratic Change vice-president Gibson Sibanda was arrested for allegedly inciting violence at an MDC rally in Bulawayo.

1346-Hunzvi can be brought under control in five minutes

Wilfred Mhanda, the leader of the Zimbabwe Liberators Platform, started to restore the good name of war veterans, told United States embassy officials that war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi was not a genuine war veteran and was actually working for President Robert Mugabe but he could be brought under control in five minutes if his services were no longer needed.

1347-Hunzvi walking around in Masvingo with AK rifle

War veterans’ leader Chenjerai Hunzvi was reportedly circulating in Masvingo with an AK 47 rifle as violence continued unabated in city in the run-up to the first executive mayoral elections.

1348-Defence Minister Moven Mahachi dies

Defence Minister Moven Mahachi died in a car accident barely a month after the death of another minister Border Gezi, also in a car accident.

1349-Founder of Green Bombers spills the beans

A man claiming to be a founder of the notorious youth militia, popularly known as the Green Bombers, told United States embassy officials that the first recruits to the National Youth Service, as it was officially called, were trained for the express purpose of playing a role in the upcoming presidential elections.

1350-Mugabe’s cabinet composed of place holders

President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet of 2000 which brought in technocrats such as Simba Makoni, Nkosana Moyo, Jonathan Moyo and Joseph Made looked credible but there were fears that it was composed of “place holders”- people who would keep the seats warm until the presidential elections of 2002.

1351-IMF resident rep saw bleak future for Zimbabwe

The International Monetary Fund resident representative for Zimbabwe Robert Franco saw a very bleak future for Zimbabwe despite the appointment of technocrats Simba Makoni as Finance Minister and Nkosana Moyo as Industry Minister.

1352-Makoni says judge Zimbabwe on its deeds not its rhetoric

Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States ambassador Tom McDonald that the new cabinet had been given a clear mandate by President Robert Mugabe to get Zimbabwe to work again. It was therefore critical to judge the new government by its deeds and not by its words.

1353-IMF team paints a bleak picture of Zimbabwe

A visiting International Monetary Fund team painted a bleak picture of Zimbabwe which they said could end the year with inflation of 80 percent and a budget deficit of 23 percent against the target 3.8 percent with the economic itself shrinking by 5.5 percent in real terms.

1354-Withdrawal of troops from DRC linked to presidential elections

With revelations that Zimbabwe had spent US$200 million on the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Robert Mugabe was under pressure to withdraw Zimbabwean troops from that country so that this would not be a campaign issue in the 2002 presidential elections.

1355-Kasukuwere said Mugabe must be phased out for ZANU-PF to survive

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.

1356-Danish Ministers says Mugabe is “a man without a plan”

Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Jan Trojborg said President Robert Mugabe was “a man without a plan” but it was clear that the government could set one up quickly if the President gave his ministers the green light to do so.

1357-US embassy showers Makoni with praise on his first budget

Although Finance Minister Simba Makoni had announced a 2001 budget that was going to have a deficit of 15 percent of gross domestic product, the United States embassy said his budget was probably the most honest and thoughtful that had been tabled in Zimbabwe’s 20 years of independence.

1358-Mugabe views everything according to whether it threatens his tenure or not

Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni told United States diplomats including assistant secretary Susan Rice that President Robert Mugabe viewed everything through the optic of whether it threatened his tenure.

1359-US could cut aid to Zimbabwe over a US$210 000 debt

The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Tom McDonald warned President Robert Mugabe that the United States could cut aid to Zimbabwe if the country did not repay a debt of US$210 000 to the United States Agency for International Development by the “drop-dead” date of 30 December, 2000.

1360-Nicholas Ncube disappoints US embassy officials

Former permanent secretary for Finance Nicholas Ncube, who was described by the United States embassy as a “dependable and solid embassy interlocutor for over a decade”, was a big disappointment when the embassy tried to solicit how his ministry was doing from him.

1361-Farmers see Makoni as conduit to Mugabe

The Commercial Farmers Union, which was under siege from the farm invaders, had decided to work with the government and use Finance Minister Simba Makoni as a conduit to present their new plan to President Robert Mugabe.

1362-Farmers facing a hard sell

The Commercial Farmers Union said it was making headway in trying to convince the government to adopt its land reform plan which would see the CFU providing the government a list of farms totalling five million hectares that would be made available for resettlement.

1363-Makoni asked Zvobgo how he could get out of government

Finance Minister Simba Makoni asked Eddison Zvobgo, once one of the most powerful people in the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front who had been sidelined but remained within the party, how he could get out.

1364-Makoni acknowledges there will be a food shortage

Finance Minister Simba Makoni acknowledged that there would be a food shortage and the country would have to import but there had been no budget provision for food imports.

1365-Zvobgo says Mugabe has too much power

Masvingo South legislator Eddison Zvobgo said although he supported the idea of an executive president he also believed that the president’s powers should be curtailed.

1366-Makoni paints bleak picture of Zimbabwe

Finance Minister Simba Makoni presented a gloomy picture of Zimbabwe to visiting United States assistant secretary for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner and even asked what Zimbabwe could do to avoid being slapped with sanctions under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act.

1367-Makoni bows down to tobacco famers

Finance Minister Simba Makoni had to bow down to tobacco farmers after they withheld their crop because of the low price on the auction floors.

1368-Letter detailing Zimbabwe’s debts leaked to US embassy

A letter by Finance Minister Simba Makoni to the Cabinet’s Economic and Finance Committee detailing Zimbabwe’s debts was leaked to the United States embassy in Harare, which said that the fact that the embassy had the letter should strictly be protected.

1369-RBZ document leaked to US embassy

First it was a letter from Finance Minister Simba Makoni that found its way to the United States embassy. A week later it was a document from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that was now in the hands of the embassy.

1370-Devaluation through the back door

Despite President Robert Mugabe’s vigorous insistence that devaluation was dead, Finance Minister Simba Makoni effectively devalued the currency through so-called incentives for tobacco farmers and the duty on luxury goods.

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