Posts by Charles Rukuni

Simba Makoni was one of the youngest cabinet ministers at independence. When he was posted to the Southern African Development Community as secretary-general, there was wide speculation that President Robert Mugabe was grooming him to eventually take over and was giving him the international exposure that he needed. These hopes were dashed when after leaving SADC, Makoni was made chief executive of Zimbabwe Newspapers. Political observers believed this was a way to keep Makoni out of politics and succession. But hopes were raised again when he was catapulted to Finance Minister in 2000. He remained a strong contender until he decided to stand against Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2008. Most people believe Makoni was misled by his colleagues from ZANU-PF who had promised to break away from the party at the critical period in the run up to the 2008 elections but never did so. There are more than 160 Wikileaks cables on Makoni. Here are the first 102

(13 VIEWS)

Lands and Agriculture Minister Joseph Made and Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo refused to sign a delisting form that had been initiated by Mashonaland East governor… which would have seen the farm returning to its owner who was an American citizen.

(14 VIEWS)

Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni was the best the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front could offer if the so-called Third way came to fruition, Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa told United States embassy officials in Pretoria.

(13 VIEWS)

The United States embassy asked then Midlands provincial governor Cephas Msipa to intervene after the government had listed the property of US citizens Sam and Janet Chambliss.

(13 VIEWS)

Econet boss Strive Masiyiwa told United States embassy officials in Pretoria that President Robert Mugabe would never voluntarily give up power because he feared for his future and even more importantly that of his wife and young children.

(28 VIEWS)

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira said Simba Makoni was a serious candidate in the succession race but he was a dark horse because of his absence from political limelight.

(18 VIEWS)

Delta Corporation, one of the largest corporations in the country which controlled the beverages industry, announced a Z$10 billion initiative to supply inputs to boost the production of maize, sorghum and malting barley.

(14 VIEWS)

Lands and Agriculture Minister Joseph Made said Zimbabwe would not accept any food aid containing genetically modified organisms.

(34 VIEWS)