Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg)

May 26, 2005

Godwin Gandu
Harare

President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace will splash out close to R3-million [about $450,000 US Dollars] on a 10th wedding anniversary party at their rural home in Kutama, about 60km west of Harare.

Several Southern African regional leaders are expected to attend, including best man at the wedding, former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano. Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, his Tanzanian counterpart Benjamin Mkapa and former South African president Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel have also cracked invites. "It's not expected that President Thabo Mbeki will come, but an ANC delegation will," a government source told the Mail & Guardian.

"A lot of money will be needed for the flights, hotel accommodation, food and hosting the event at Kutama. But the costs could be cut down by many companies donating in cash and kind, with farmers supplying beef and vegetables as usual and national breweries providing beer.

"It will be classy, royal-like," the source said, "Mugabe will be driven from a church service in an open Rolls Royce with horses in front. That's how they want it."

The party will be preceded by a family trip to the Middle East.

Grace is 40 years younger than her 81-year-old husband, with whom she has three children.

Plans for the lavish celebration in August were revealed to the M&G this week as evidence emerged that Zimbabwe was sliding further into an economic recession. Emotions are running high in Harare, with commuters having to trudge 10km to and from work in chilly conditions as a fuel crisis grips the country.

In a move seen as provocative, riot police this week demolished business kiosks and market-place stalls of informal traders in Harare and surrounding townships. By June 20, the police said, "all unauthorised buildings and market places would have been destroyed".

Residents watched in anguish as police swooped on and arrested more than 9 500 people as part of Operation Murambatsvina, which began last week. The police said the vendors were operating at undesignated points, violating the city's by-laws.

In Glen Norah township, police on Wednesday razed tuck-shops to the ground and burned carpenters' stalls alongside roads leading into the opposition stronghold.

Glen Norah residents, who have declared the constituency a no-go area for the police, reacted by barricading roads leading into the township.

"This is shocking, it has never happened before. The government is trying to get an excuse for declaring a state of emergency because they realise the economy is receding into a disaster," said Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, the Movement for Democratic Change MP for the area.

"They want people to riot, and they will get that. The whole thing is political. Mugabe is simply saying you voted for the opposition and this is what you'll get."

Constitutional reform pressure group chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku slammed the crackdown as "a recipe for an uprising" but felt that "Zimbabweans in general have no disposition towards a spontaneous revolt". He cautioned however that: "These are purely bread and butter issues and you have the police demolishing tuck shops and market stalls, it's being insensitive."

Many companies have shut down because of the economic slump and unemployment levels have risen to about 80%.

A fuel crisis that has caused the public transportation system to grind to a halt means people are starting work four hours late and getting home at about midnight.

The urban folk are becoming increasingly restless. "We are having a situation in which residents are now attacking the police," said Misihairambwi-Mushonga. "The situation is degenerating into total chaos and people are angry."

But the blissfully happy Mugabe couple is going ahead with the party plans. Mugabe, though not showing any signs of frailty and fatigue, has, on the advice of his doctors, in the past three weeks, been cutting down on public engagements.

A family relative, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the M&G that: "Gushungo's [Mugabe clan name] bones are like teak. They have a reputation for living long. His [Mugabe] mother Bona lived until she was 100 years old."

Cecil Rhodes must be turning over in his grave. jorge

quote:

"Mugabe will be driven from a church service in an open Rolls Royce with horses in front. That's how they want it."

With the fuel shortage in Zim, they ought to have the Rolls pulled by the horses. To show some solidarity with the rest of the population who can't get a hold of fuel.

quote:

Mugabe, though not showing any signs of frailty and fatigue,

I guess they don't count the obvious signs. Such as insanity...

I wonder what an airstrike would cost?That would well make it a wonderful event.

Where are the damn suicide bombers when you need one???? Bob has got to go!!!

quote:

Originally posted by baboon:
I wonder what an airstike would cost?That would well make it a wonderful event.

Baboon

Are you sarting a fund raiser ????

A GOOD sniper would be cheaper and a Buff hunt could be a bonus.

quote:

Originally posted by invader66:
A GOOD sniper would be cheaper and a Buff hunt could be a bonus.

The problem with a sniper is he could take out the guest list!

I read the guest list, which one should we worry
about? The air strike would be fine i was just worried about the important animals in the area. The 4 legged ones.

Shame on you guys riddiculing my old mate Robber Bob & henchmen invited guests

Why does not some good meaning soul in USA invite the happy couple to a FREE BBQ somewhere deep in the Southern States where they would get some wonderful Southern hospitality that I have heard about.

Thanks again for the offer in anticipation (-:

quote:

Originally posted by T.Carr:
"It will be classy, royal-like," the source said, "Mugabe will be driven from a church service in an open Rolls Royce with horses in front. That's how they want it."

All he needs to do is rename his country the Zimbabwean Central African Empire and he can be an Emperor as well. Deja vu perhaps.

Another big fish in a very small pond.

Until the Zimbabwe people have declared that enough is enough and they do something about it themselves, the rest of us can only sit back and watch. You'd think that someone in Zimbabwe would want to become a hero to the millions who are suffering.

I think that the US should honor the happy couple with a single aircraft fly over. This should only happen when all of the guest are present, to see our 21,000 round salute from the AC-130 SPOOKY GUNSHIP. It's only fitting.

Hog Killer

quote:

Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Shame on you guys riddiculing my old mate Robber Bob & henchmen invited guests

Why does not some good meaning soul in USA invite the happy couple to a FREE BBQ somewhere deep in the Southern States where they would get some wonderful Southern hospitality that I have heard about.

Thanks again for the offer in anticipation (-:

Why hell yes,I would be happy to have the royal
couple. Fix them a big o'l plate of Texas BarBQ
then show him how to troll for Gators-A good time for all How well can he swim?

I heard today where Amnesty International was assailing Bush for his lack of concern for the human rights of the folks we are holding. Yet they turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the Zimbabwe situation.

Disgusting!

Hmmmm . . . an "open" Rolls Royce . . .

I see a need for a "grassy knoll"

JDS