Sanctions: You lost the plot, Dr David! – MuckRaker

via Sanctions: You lost the plot, Dr David! – The Zimbabwe Independent February 21, 2014 by MuckRaker

Where did Dr Mario David come from? He is the European People’s (Portuguese) Party vice-president and has been part of a EU fact-finding team ahead of the EU’s review of sanctions this week.

He said sanctions were scaring away investors and should be scrapped.

This is rather a naïve view. Sanctions were imposed in 2002 after the head of the EU’s observer mission headed by Pierre Schori found evidence of electoral manipulation and political violence.

Schori was kicked out of the country as a result of this inconvenient disclosure. The Zanu PF regime thereafter persisted in pretending that the sanctions that were imposed were the product of a bilateral dispute between Britain and Zimbabwe over land.

This dishonesty was taken up by the state media which repeated the land myth at every opportunity.

Many of the remaining sanctions will probably be lifted after the EU consultations this week. But Dr David has ignored the torture and abuse of opposition activists such as Tonderayi Ndira, proceeding to claim sanctions were scaring away foreign investors.

That is indeed probably the case. But the sanctions were put in place to teach Zimbabwe’s rulers that torture and electoral manipulation were unacceptable to the EU under the Cotonou terms.

Dr David should not encourage Zimbabwe’s rulers to sweep
such dirt under the carpet. In any case, it is indigenisation that is scaring away investors, not sanctions.

Pots and kettles

Then, as if to confirm that Zimbabwe’s leaders are serious about their conduct, we have Manheru calling the American ambassador a warthog. How old is this guy? This is the level of Zimbabwean diplomacy.

Manheru refers to “cheap potshots that seek to disguise his (the US’) country’s immoral racist policies”.

He obviously hasn’t heard of pots and kettles!

Censored

Muckraker wonders how many people know that the gentleman heading the Board of Censors is 93 years old. We know this because the board has just given the thumbs down to the Wolf of Wall St, the outstanding movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. But the swearing scuppered the film.
An animated film also got the chop at the same time. The censors didn’t like the little dog shaking its backside after getting wet.
Get the facts right

The Herald told us on Tuesday that a new outfit has been formed called Zimbabweans Against Sanctions. It is headed by a Mr Matthew Smith while former national cricket team captain Heath Streak is spokesperson.

“We are forming this lobby group because the truth about Zimbabwe needs to be heard,” Smith said, “and for that truth to be heard it needs to be heard from our perspective, especially as white Zimbabweans on whose behalf these damaging sanctions were supposedly imposed.”

So whites have been lumped with responsibility for Zanu PF’s warped record.

Smith should be more specific. A glance to the past might be helpful for those for whom he speaks without examining the facts.

Currying favour

Where did all this start? Who was responsible for the death of David Stevens and Martin Olds and in what circumstances? Who was responsible for the seizure of farms and the subsequent downstream collapse of agriculture? Who helped themselves to free seed and equipment?

Those whites who think they can curry favour by parroting the blandishments of Zanu PF need to think again. Sanctions have been imposed on us by a parasitic gang who are still grabbing farms and can’t understand why the EU and US react as they do.

We were, however, amused to hear that Streak had to make his remarks in Bulawayo because Air Zimbabwe had cancelled his scheduled flight to Harare.

Stop racist seizures

Rugare Gumbo claimed there was nothing to celebrate about piecemeal lifting of sanctions.

That’s OK. If he can prevent the continued arbitrary and racist seizure of farms, we are sure the international community will reciprocate by removing what is left of sanctions. That includes properties in Mazoe.

Strange happenings

Among the many strange things that have emerged during the recent exposure of malfeasance (don’t you like that Norman-French legal term) at Air Zimbabwe is the case of the disappearing Airbus engine which the airline doesn’t appear able to account for.

How on earth can you lose an aircraft engine? Do you hide it in the garage alongside the wife’s car and the Chibuku bottles? Or is it so well covered it looks like part of the surrounding bush?

Peter Chikumba, former CEO at AirZim, subsequently began all his meetings at the Celebration Centre, to which he was subsequently assigned after AirZim, with a prayer. We could then say he got by on a wing and a prayer!

Chikumba is still CEO at the Celebration Centre, we gather, although he now has to carry out his mission long distance! He used to give lectures on good corporate governance. Does he still, we wonder?

Perhaps when he left AirZim he took the engine with him. The Celebration Centre by the way bakes outstanding cakes. But that doesn’t excuse them promoting religion.

Mandiwanzira breaks with tradition
Deputy informantion mininster Supa Mandiwanzira has said radio stations that would be licensed soon should not be used as political tools by individuals.

That would be a difficult tradition to break! The story of Zimbabwe parastatals since Independence has been one of political involvement and interference. Air Zimbabwe in particular has been a tool of the regime. Herbert Ushewokunze designed the current livery himself.

Muckraker will be been to see that new board members are subject to due diligence. We dont want to see Mahoso-style panel shows on the overhead screen!

 

 

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 22
  • comment-avatar
    apolitical 11 years ago

    Of course your comment comes from a combinationation of lack of knowledge and IQ.
    The reason that no crime has been accepted by the ICC is becayse there is no sound evidence, just a lot of propaganda like the above.
    The only ICC case under investigation concerns the local legal mafia and includes all political human rights lawyers and is about crime against humanity/terrorism and murders – you get you wish they will go to the Hague- in handcuffs.
    Sanctions are a little more intellectual- too much for you I think. There is a compensation fund formed by Robin Cook in the British Parliament – as with UDI if there is sanctions no payment may be made to any resident of Zimbabwe.
    instead efforts have been made to remove Britain’s liability from the zimbabwe constitution, now successful. The CFU and JAG were finance conditional that no claims were made against Britain – its cheaper. additionally spurious cases were funded in several countries with no jurisdiction as a smoke screen.
    Terrorism and money talks in Zimbabwe with opposition funded by the EU willing to accept donations to further the economic sabotage against Zimbabwe and create propaganda articles like the above from clueless individuals.
    I could menbtion a thousand names but without evidence it would be useless.
    Harare South Golf club and the adjacent farm is one with evidence forgotten by political journalists who believe Human Rights are not applicable to the MDC.
    A plan was hatched to block the Beatrice road at the Manyame bridge and also clost the Kariba road – whilst police were trying to break out through the blockcade a riot woulfd start in Harare inj the low density suburbs killing all whites invcluding embassy officials.
    This would bring in the UN and they would blame Mugabe and it would be a walk into state house. Such was MDC democracy just prior to the election before last. A whistle blower told the CIO and senior opposition members fled to south Africa. The political opposition press screamed intimidation of election candidates.
    In retaliation all inhabitants of the farm adjacent to the Harare South Golf Glub were murder ed and as a message their eyes were removed and mouths and eye sockets filled with sadza. Described in the Herald as gruesome murders.
    Local opposition human rights groups maintained it was done in retaliation and therefore of no interest tom human rights groups locally.
    The elderly babies all were killed – how may you murder a baby in retaliation.
    Mysteriously the main farm house was left untouched the inhabitant was aligned to the local MDC group. and in the morning vote MDC banners were hung on the roadside fence.
    What is needed is apolitical reporting but there are those of us demanding that those who cover up crime, journalists included be charged with the same offences.
    where comments of crime are moderated to cover up etc.
    There is solid evidence of the above – but no political journalist mentions it.

    • comment-avatar
      Doctor do little 11 years ago

      @ Apolitical What about Martin and Gloria OLDS or don’t you consider that a crime.

      • comment-avatar
        apolitical 11 years ago

        Don’t know the people you mention personally but, if you make it political then it will fail.
        You cant holds the leader of political party responsible for a crime when he wasn’t there and probably didn’t even know it occurred. In law it is unacceptable to claim you murdered someone because you were told to do it. The only people who try and bring cases like that to the ICC are not very bright politicians. Like in the Ukraine, we have civilians with guns shooting police officers and throwing petrol bombs – idiotic politicians overseas say this is the governments fault the police should not return fire and simply stand there and be killed, the government of Ukraine should step down and let the terrorists rule.
        If there is a police case go to the AG’s, Prosecutor Generals Office and complain first, if you are to lazy to do this then put it behind you.

  • comment-avatar
    Doctor do little 11 years ago

    “Deputy informantion mininster Supa Mandiwanzira has said radio stations that would be licensed soon should not be used as political tools by individuals.” This man has been using ZBC as a Political tool for years.

    • comment-avatar
      John Thomas 11 years ago

      Supa probably steals from himself when there is nobody else to steal from. This man is incurable

    • comment-avatar
      apolitical 11 years ago

      The are laws about this all over the world, ewhere most countries have moinimum standards.
      If it is about propaganda anti government then it is also about economic sabotage. The government has not done enough to implement a deterrant in thios area. Economic sabotage should carry the death sentence because it adversely affects us all and the government has a duty to protect us from journalists who promote this to the detriment of the nation.
      If a journalist, through a propaganda article brings the nation into disrepute and thus puts a likely investor off he should go to jail at the very least.
      Look at that journalist who promoted that government were returning to the Zim dollar and people should remove cash from all banks. Ordinary people struggled at Christmas with a shortage of cash at the banks. Should not such a person be arrested for economic sabotage, please, be responsible. Who are these story tellers who shout freedom of expression and tell lies causing alarm and suffering who think they are above the law.
      We need more severe laws until the new media and journalists get responsible and are taught to understand law and order.
      Why cant a journalist do an article on those irresponsible journalists and advocate economic sabotage as a deterrent.

      • comment-avatar
        ZimJim 10 years ago

        Apo,

        If you want your drivel to be taken seriously, you may try using a grammar/spell checker. Even idiots like you lose even more of their dubious credibility if they are identified as dick-heads from their first sentence…

        Get a life, and then, maybe, you will grow up.

        And then just go away….

  • comment-avatar
    Saddened 11 years ago

    I always thought being ‘apolitical ‘ meant being politically neutral. Must have got it wrong I suppose!!

    • comment-avatar
      apolitical 11 years ago

      not at all – politically neutral means all crime not just Zanu.
      That the legal fraternities dilemma, if they try a crime base on propaganda what will fall out of the woodwork. There is a reason for everything, just because they conned you doesn’t make them innocent.
      If you think that all MDC are angels then you have got it wrong.

    • comment-avatar
      ZimJim 10 years ago

      Yo, Saddened.

      I reckon “Apo” is the 12 year old son of a ZANU-PF “Dead Man Walking”. The truth will out. I bet its hilarious!

  • comment-avatar
    Chiwaridza 11 years ago

    Heath Streak and Mathew Smith do not represent the white Zimbabwean community – they are doing this in order to retain their properties and curry favour with the Zanu-PF government – it is wrong and they will find out soon enough the ramifications of this ridiuclous ploy in which they are invloved.

    • comment-avatar
      apolitical 11 years ago

      Roy Bennett doesn’t represent the white community either.
      All right thinking people were disgusted when he asked government to take his farm because he had borrowed more than it was worth – normally called fraud, but a good advert for a politician as a con artist immediately elevated him to treasurer of a political party.
      Again there are rules in parliament which are international, you don’t fight in parliament you set the example, go through the speaker and then the law.
      Who was he representing, which constituent at that time, easy, the person he always represented, himself.

  • comment-avatar
    Africanson 11 years ago

    Politics is dirty for real especially when the youth blindly follow their leaders.

    • comment-avatar
      apolitical 11 years ago

      maybe you are blind and the youth have seen through opportunists

  • comment-avatar
    machakachaka 11 years ago

    All muck, and nothing else.

  • comment-avatar
    apolitical 11 years ago

    A conclusive comment on his article at least he chose the apt name.

    • comment-avatar
      Jack the Rabbit 11 years ago

      Apolitical clown

      • comment-avatar
        Doctor do little 11 years ago

        Don’t fool yourself he is not a clown. He is one of the notorious CIO. As I said , the hidden hand only it is no longer so hidden on this forum.

        • comment-avatar
          ZimJim 10 years ago

          DDL,
          He’s a dumb, attention-seeking kid.
          Trust me, I know the CIO.
          They’re not a dumb as this little prat.

      • comment-avatar
        Kubota Binga 11 years ago

        Apolitical, Your comments are very useful. Keep around the forums. Thank you.