via German firm bypassing EU trade ban to fund Mugabe | SW Radio Africa by Alex Bell November 28, 2013
Anger has followed revelations that a German firm is bypassing European laws that ban any financial involvement with Robert Mugabe, by being a major supplier to the First Family’s dairy business.
According to the news and analysis site Africa Confidential the German firm Wilhelm Guth Ventiltechnik has been supplying components to Robert and Grace Mugabe’s Gushungo Dairy Estate for the past four years. The components are supplied through the wholly owned subsidiary of the German firm, Guth South Africa.
This relationship has developed despite European Union (EU) targeted restrictive measures that are still in place against Mugabe and his wife. Imposed over ten years ago as a result of human rights abuses and vote rigging by ZANU PF, the measures ban any EU countries from doing business with the individuals or companies on the EU’s targeted list.
The European leadership bloc has lifted its measures against the majority of the Mugabe regime, but the ageing ZANU PF leader and Grace Mugabe remain targeted.
The Guth firm had not replied to Africa Confidential’s request for a clarification by the time the story was published on Thursday. There has also been no explanation from the EU.
Former Chegutu farmer turned activist Ben Freeth said the situation is “outrageous,” saying the Gushungo dairy estate exists at the expense of farmers who were kicked off their properties by ZANU PF.
“Germans must be aware of the way this company is operating, supplying someone who took a farm from Ian Webster, the biggest dairy farmer in Zimbabwe. This German company has come in and are quite happy to accept that someone can come in and steal someone else’s business and steal someone’s home and livelihood, and then do business with that person against European restrictions,” Freeth said.
COMMENTS
German is doing good thing why Eu is against Zimbabwe. U can not punish Zim people because of of Tsvangira who want to be President
Gibson need brain! Gibson big numbskull!
EU is in favour of Zimbabwe and its people but is against DisGRACEful MUGABE and the rest of the thieving clan.
Gibson igaba zvaro
the day will come when they will regret some pple do not know why zimbabweans dont like zanu pf rule because zanu pf allows elections to take place and win unfairly like july 31 because eu had promised to take off sanctions [if they won fairly] they could nt and they dont have plan B firms like the one in question are those who cant compete in their own native country Good luck to them.
These zanupf businesses will be confiscated and handed over to the people again soon. Let mugabedog waste their money like gadaffi etc
Which people?
Yes Germany has done nothing wrong at all. Mai is clever she has managed to bust the cruel sanctions. May the good Lord continue to bless her. Her farrm is amongst the best in Africa and the world.
The good lord can bless her all you want. I would rather be left out of the unholy alliance.