via Mugabe shows mansion to world – DailyNews Live by Fungi Kwaramba 2 MARCH 2014
African presidents, billionaires, rich local businessmen, diplomats and socialites yesterday attended the opulent wedding of President Robert Mugabe’s first daughter Bona.
In the process, the estimated 4 000 guests were given a rare opportunity to view the First Family’s lavish private home in Borrowdale, which has for long remained a secret.
Mugabe’s massive property, which is reportedly worth more than $10 million was, according to presidential spokesperson George Charamba, built through donations from Zanu PF and unknown well-wishers.
Realising that hosting the expensive wedding at the mansion — popularly known as Blue Roof — was going to expose Mugabe’s mansion which would ultimately lead to questions on how the 90-year-old could have built such a house in a poor country like Zimbabwe, Charamba was quoted in the State media pre-empting the lavish nature of the house.
“The venue of the wedding is a peculiar one. It is not a public place.
“It is actually within the grounds of the home of the First Family and this is a home which is distinct from the official residence of the President.
“You might recall that the land on which that home stands was bought by the party, Zanu PF, for their leader. Not a single cent came from the State.”
“Secondly, the structures which have become the private home of the First Family were painstakingly put up through a combination of private savings and donations from well-wishers.
“That makes the place not just a house for now, but a home for all times for the Mugabes, in and out of office.
“That immediately raises security concerns not just in the present, but for all times. So access to the venue of the wedding can neither be random nor unlimited,” said Charamba in comments that raised eyebrows.
Organisers of the event kept a tight lead on pictures, amid concerns that guests would take pictures of the monstrous house and publish them.
Inside the controversial residence of the First Family, it was off bound for the private media, with cameras, cellphones and smart phones switched off for guests.
To keep a lid on the nuptials, Mugabe’s neighbours were formally advised not to take photographs of the invited guests who trooped to the highly-securitised residence of the Zanu PF leader’s home, in Benzes, BMWs, Bentleys and off-terrain monsters.
Shuttle buses that ferried the guests from Heritage Primary School to the Mugabe residence — were emblazoned with the faces of 24-year-old Bona and Simba Chikore, whose age remains a mystery.
Mugabe’s imposing villa was built amid controversy at a time when Zimbabwe was going through an economic meltdown — and until yesterday very few people have had the privilege of viewing the house.
Reports at the time the house was built said that marble was imported from Italy. The finest European crystal, sunken baths with jacuzzi fittings and oriental rugs are all part of the décor. The soaring ceilings were reportedly decorated by Arab craftsmen.
At the time in an interview with Sky News, Mugabe denied that the mansion had been built with Zimbabwean taxpayers’ money.
He said a Serbian company had donated material and labour at cost, supplemented by gifts of fine timber from former Malaysian Prime Minister Makathir Mohammad and roof tiles from China.
“You say it is lavish because it is attractive,” Mugabe told Sky News.
“It has Chinese roofing material which makes it very beautiful, but it was donated to us — the Chinese are our good friends, you see.”
Out of 18 heads of state invited, three made it, South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, Equatorial Guinea’s Obiang Nguema, and Zambian leader Michael Sata.
Zuma, arrived at Blue Roof hard on the heels of Mugabe who had “arrived” at his home in his armour-plated Mercedes Benz; with bodyguards in dark suits jogging in front of the imposing vehicles that included a Royce Rolls used by Bona.
South Africa billionaire Patrick Matsoepe, whose estimated net worth is $2,7 billion, was also among the elite guests who converged at Mugabe’s plush Borrowdale home, to witness the marriage.
The relationship between Mugabe and Motsepe is not clear.
Africa’s longest serving ruler Nguema of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, who is reported to be one of the richest on the continent, keenly followed proceedings.
COMMENTS
Unknown well wishers being the Zimbabwean tax payer.
He stole the people’s monies to build a haven for himself and his immediate family members. However, history has shown that in the event of an up-rising,which is more of a certainty, such perverts end up hiding in a banker or under the bridge as was evidenced with gaddafi. Enjoy while it lasts. But I can guarantee you that when the time comes, that property will revert to its original owners, the people of Zimbabwe.
they are aptly called bunkers,,dear gogo,,,and yes in the case of an uprising there will be looters a plenty,,you may find the taps and toilet seats styled out of our minerals that are the main cause of the absence of freedom,,,but so be it an uprising is iminent the chances of that house being occupied by the mugabes in civillian life are very slim as things stand
An entrenched and brutal dictator, as Mugabe, understands one language. Violence. Start making petrol bombs. It is very easy to make. Start with Magnet house, stops camp, cabs building. These are the most notorious institutions, that have helped Mugabe enslave is own people. This must be destroyed without mercy. Occupants should meet their death in a shocking manner. Burn them alive. This is your only way of getting rid of the excess of evil. Those of you in South Africa, ask the kids in Soweto. They give you a step by step process of making petrol bombs. Stop crying. No one apart from yourselves can re-write history.
Daily news you are an embarrassment. He is called Patrice Motsepe not Patrick.
Of course the money came from state coffers. Zanu P.F. has never utilised its own resources. If they did they would not force individuals and companies to contribute towards Zanu P.F. conferences, congresses and Mugabe’s birthday bashes.
Our president is corrupt that is why he cannot act against those fingered in corruption.
What about all the neighbours who were forced to move out just because this specimen moved into their neighborhood and the goons that now restrict free passage down the public road in which this house is built.
A well wishers donation to the president of a country is either a bribe or an extortion. In Mugabe’s case likely both. What normal person would love and respect this man?
I am sure every one was very impressed by what stolen money can buy, and enjoy it while you still above ground,as things may change drastically when you go below.
The mere fact people where asked to switch off mobile devices with cameras is a clear indication there is a lot to hide. None of the countries said to have donated materials have acknowledged or denied it, it could well be a lie from Charamba because he is paid to lie. In return for these ‘friendship’ gestures what has Bob done?Apart from mortgage Zimbabwe’s asserts?
This, my friends, was what the war was really about……. and it accomplished its purpose.
And we must fight our own war to re-liberate ourselves. Bcz 70s war removed one monther and replacedd him with another. Local monsters are worse than international monsters. Sally akafawo at the wrong time. All this could not have been there
Well Fungi, your follow-up story must be on Simba’s age, was he not married before being snatched away? Grace pounced on Robert while the late mama Sally was beddriven. Also check on tweets like ‘virginity nikuved’, follow them closely.
Patrice is Zuma’s sidekick and private sponsor i presume, Zuma secretly admires Mugabe’s election trickery, S. A is conducting national polls on May 7, the Isrealites have to be paid. Now see the Patrice – Jacob – Robert relationship. It was not about the ceremony only, i might be wrong i admit.
We can have a full view of the Nkandla home and the one mansion in Hong Kong but not the one across Harare. God.
its very sad and insulting that these people charged for spurning out propaganda,,tell the people of zimbabwe these lies and rub thelr bellys in glee that we believe everything they say,,,,this after constantly announcing to the world that in africa we boast of an amazingly well read and educated society,,,it is an insult to tell us that this house was donated by well wishers,,a big insult,mr charamba you should check your conscience please before you climb a mountain and blurt out your rhetoric
A conscience…? Surely, you jest..!!! If for no other reason, Charamba will serve an eternal punishment for burying his along with the bodies of innocents. Amazing the circles and twists and turns a ZANUPF mind has to run to tangle itself so much it’s unable to tell truth.
Ukraine,Egypt, Libya,what about it Zimbabwe!
No stone will be left unturned to uncover all the small details of how Mugabe rigged the 2013 elections. Not one stone! Mugabe will then be asked once again if he rigged the elections or not. He has already said he did not. Rigging the elections is a very serious matter, it is high treason.
Mugabe, convicted of high treason, will forfeit his Blue Roof, all the looted farms, everything and his freedom too. King Charles 1 lost his head for high treason and the crimes Mugabe and his cronies have committed against the people of Zimbabwe these last 34 years are even worse than those Charles committed.
The truth above what Mugabe and his Zanu PF thugs have been doing these last 34 years is coming out in all its ugliness! Mugabe is emerging as the corrupt and murderous tyrant he is. If he really thinks he can still bamboozle the nation with his usual rhetoric and lies so he can get away scot-free then he is really more naïve than I ever imagined.