Herbert Murerwa has been one of the longest serving members of President Robert Mugabe’s government. He has served as a civil servant, then as a diplomat and finally as a minister. The Harvard-educated Murerwa, who has been Minister of Finance more than once, has been variously described as decent but ineffective and “too much of a gentleman”. There are more than 50 Wikileaks cables on him. Here is the first batch.
53-Doing business Zimbabwe- style
52-White farmers wanted US$20 billion compensation to end land dispute
51-Murerwa wanted any other ministry besides Lands
50-Mugabe sidelined Mnangagwa and Mujuru
48-ZANU-PF Senate can delay but not stop legislation
47-US ambassador said Gono was increasingly acting as de facto Prime Minister
46-IMF said Gono was the worst central banker in the world
44-Mugabe prepared to repeal repressive laws to get loan from SA
43-Gono was aware Masamvu talked to US embassy officials
42-Murerwa sparked stampede from stock market
41-Embassy wanted Murerwa’s wife added to the financial sanctions list
40-US embassy official said he expected no change while Mugabe was still alive
39-Embassy said it was unfortunate for Murerwa to be appointed Finance Minister
38-Makoni right candidate wrong country
37-Gono pleaded with Dell for 90 minutes
36-Murerwa said US was exaggerating Zimbabwe’s shortcomings
35-Gono shocked by IMF analysis of 2005 budget
34-Murerwa forecast growth in 2005
33-Government more receptive to criticism from business than MDC
32-Gono said Mugabe is amenable when approached in a proper manner
31-Murerwa unwilling to let Zimbabweans face uncomfortable facts
30-Gono laughed off Made’s crop forecasts
29-Kuruneri overshadowed by Gono
28-Cabinet reshuffle showed power of hardliners and military
25-Gono was central banker, Finance, and Trade minister melded in one
24-Murerwa left everything to Gono
22-Mugabe joined Jonathan Moyo and Made in blame game
21-Made scuttled US$30 million tobacco deal
19-Murerwa offered no solution
17-Murerwa said he disliked price controls
15-Miners worried about skewed exchange rate
14-ExxonMobil urged government to cut fuel subsidy way back in 2003
13-Zvobgo said Mujuru, Makoni and Beta wanted Mugabe out
12-Industry asks: Will Mugabe listen?
11-Murerwa’s budget was laden with inconsistencies
10-Business tries to engage Mugabe
9-Did government accept GMO food in 2002?
7-Mugabe rewards loyalty not competence
5-Was diplomat sidelined because of his brother?
4-US ambassador described Mugabe as a strategic thinker
3-IMF resident rep saw bleak future for Zimbabwe
2-US embassy said Murerwa is a decent but ineffective minister
1-Murerwa joked it was better to be Minister of Education than Finance
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