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Comment from ZWNEWS, 9 December
Lock up your valuables
So, Chris Pasipamire, aspirant doctoral researcher and one-man crime-wave, has been granted a visa to study in Britain. The Sunday Times reported yesterday on the recent arrival of Pasipamire in the UK, and his ambition to study land reform at Greenwich University. An "articulate man with an easy smile", who says he has been wrongly labelled as a thug, Pasipamire denied involvement in farm and company invasions and serious charges of violence and assault.
The following is just a small sample of his activities over the last few years...
March 2000 – Pasipamire, and John Bredenkamp, both directors of Bredenkamp’s Zimalzam group, sued Philip Chiyangwa over disputed tender procedures at NOCZIM. Zimalzam was one of three companies permitted to import fuel into Zimbabwe. Pasipamire was also a backer of Royal Oil, one of eight companies permitted to distribute fuel in Zimbabwe. The fuel importation and distribution system in Zimbabwe has been characterised by widespread corruption, and a marked failure to provide supplies.
May 2001 – Following high level complaints from EU, Swedish, and Belgian envoys in Harare, home affairs minister John Nkomo initiated a crack-down on company invasions by war veterans. Companies such as the Avenues Clinic, Alcatel Italia, Dandy, NCR Zimbabwe, Speciss, Philips Electrical, and Fawcetts Security, among many others, had their premises invaded, and management and staff detained and assaulted. Zanu PF headquarters in Harare was the epicentre of the illegal blitz, where company executives were detained and assaulted in the presence of senior war veterans such as Joseph Chinotimba and Chris Pasipamire.
August 2001 – Pasipamire, along with others, was sued by Zimbank for bad debts amounting to almost Z$1 billion dating back to 1996.
September 2001 - The case against Pasipamire, who was suspected of extorting Z$4 million from commuter omnibus company Leno Trading Private Limited, was dropped by the company. Leno Trading managing director Imran Chaudry, was forced to flee Zimbabwe at the height of the company invasions.
January 2002 – Pasipamire and unnamed Zanu PF members beat up resettled farmers in Nyabira, after they were robbed of their poultry. Pasipamire was arrested on charges of robbery and assault.
January 2002 – Pasipamire and Mike Moyo were jointly charged with attempting to extort Z$15 million or 50 percent of the profits of the Mayfield farm, from Arthur Duncan Parkes, the previous owner of the farm, which had been allocated to Pasipamire under the land redistribution program. The two are then alleged to have assaulted the farmer after he refused to pay. Mike Moyo was also charged with armed robbery and assault at a Harare service station.
June 2002 – Pasipamire was implicated in the illegal seizure of Glen Forest Farm, and the closure of a boat-building business based on the farm. The boat business supported two-thirds of the employment of boat-drivers and crew on Lake Kariba.
June 2002 – Pasipamire was implicated in the illegal invasion of St Marnocks farm. Pasipamire, together with Mike Moyo, Dr Marsh, Chris Pasipamire, one Sekemari, a Pastor Chisinde and George Humela arrived on the farm declaring that they were now the owners. They did not bother to obtain any legal documentation and the farm at that time was unlisted for acquisition.
July 2002 – Pasipamire, vice-chairman of the Zanu PF Harare provincial executive, was implicated in a financial scandal involving Z$40 million of his own party’s funds. The money, given to the executive ahead of the March presidential election, could not be accounted for. The entire executive, led by Amos Midzi, was sacked. Other members of the executive were Mike Moyo, Omega Hungwe, Douglas Mahiya, Joseph Chinotimba, and Stalin Mau Mau. Pasipamire blamed everyone else.
Those familiar with the recent sad history of Zimbabwe will recognise the roll-call of other individuals mentioned above. For an innocent man, Pasipamire moves in some incriminating circles. One wonders what the criteria are for a UK visa? Pasipamire is let in, those seeking asylum from men like him are denied entry. All that can be hoped is that the administrators of Greenwich University have taken adequate precautions to protect their students, staff, and property. For the good citizens of Greenwich: lock up your valuables.