The Lucia Matibenga Wikileaks cables

Lucia Matibenga has been considered one of the most powerful women within the Movement for Democratic Change. She has only been eclipsed by Theresa Makone, wife of Prime Minister and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s special advisor Ian. But observers believe Matibenga has more grassroots support than Makone because of her trade union background. She led the biggest affiliate of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the Commercial Workers Union, to which another powerful but more dignified Paurina Mpariwa belonged. There are 24 cables on Matibenga, currently Minister of the Public Services. Here they are.

24-ZANU-PF parcelling out Save before MDC take-over

24-Matibenga-a master rigger

22-US ambassador says labour politics in Zimbabwe is dirty- Wikileaks

21-An analysis of trade unions in Zimbabwe by the United States embassy

20-Did MDC and ZANU-PF Karangas plan a pact in 2008?

19-Matibenga elected to ILO governing body

18-MDC supporters were disenchanted by party splits

17-Matibenga issue divided MDC

16-Chamisa felt Tsvangirai had blundered by firing Matibenga

15-Turmoil in the MDC

14-Makone elected chair amid allegations Matibenga had ZANU-PF links

13-Bennett said Matibenga was on ZANU-PF payroll

12-Matibenga wanted to go to US but had no passport

11-Matibenga was against re-unification of MDC

10-Commercial Workers Union paralysed

9-Only Tekere, Mujuru and Mandaza have publicly criticised Mugabe

8-MDC tried to foment disturbances after crackdown on illegal activities

7-Matibenga ousted

6-Trouble at the ZCTU

5-A kinder gentler ZANU-PF- not likely!

4-Matibenga said MDC polling agents were harassed

3-ZCTU looking up to COSATU

2-COSATU delegation deported

1-Eyes of the world watching

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