Zimbabwe: after Mugabe resigns

[davidbfpo]

Amidst a long reflective commentary on Zimbabwe's prospects by a former minister and opposition MP was this passage:

The other thing that we saw was the Military Junta, that has, in effect, been largely responsible for running the country and making key decisions, has come out into the open and taken key seats in the new Government. The man who ran the "Smart Coup", General Chiwenga has been appointed Vice President. But in his place is the best soldier in the Country - a real professional who will
change the face of the Armed Forces and ensure that we have a small, but highly proficient Army which does not dabble in politics.

So, what lies ahead for us in 2018? Firstly, we know the most crucial event is the election, which must take place in July or August this coming year. The President has made it clear, he is going to
deliver a free and fair election, the outcome of which cannot be contested by anyone.

Who is the best soldier in the country? Lt. Gen. Edzai A. C. Chimonyo, a 'veteran ZANLA commander', who in swift research had been the Ambassador to Tanzania, since at least 2007 or 2011; that I would read as "put out to pasture". It was a common practice to post ex-commanders to diplomatic posts.

In January 2010 he featured in High Court case over his seizure of a foreign-owned banana plantation farm, using soldiers - according to a leaked US State Dept. cable from Harare. See:http://wikileaks.zilog.es/cable/2010/01/10HARARE12.html

So not immune from "helping himself" to other's property. In January 2016 he was in a legal dispute over another farm 'granted' to him, but those on the property refused to leave. See:http://www.zimnewsblog.com/author/admin/page/183/

He served in the DRC during the intervention there, according to a few web links; as the SADC contingent commander in 2001.

At some stage he attended the UK's most senior defence training course, known as RCDS; according to his very thin LinkedIn profile.

For more moves see:https://theworldnews.net/zw-news/bre...iwenga-retires

I note Air Marshal Perrance Shiri was one of three officers who retired; he was the Fifth Brigade CO during the campaign in Matabeleland in the 80's. He had a promotion and remains on the reserve list. He has become the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement; one must wonder what that portends.

[Firn]

I guess not participating in the theft of land and property would have made him rather suspicious in the eyes of the other members of the mafi.. ah elite running the country.

The coup leader is now also under pressure to reward the high-ranking supporters and to give something to the many downtrodden. The new official budget and the black one should be rather interesting in planning and execution.

[Firn]

I have seen first-hand how the horrors of Mugabe’s Zimbabwe haunt our people shines some light into the dark past. An example:

When Gogo Ncube* spoke, she held her walking stick firmly. She was from Matabeleland’s Silobela. “They came,” said the 82-year-old. “They rounded us up. They put the men in a hut, closed it and set it alight.” Her granddaughter sat next to her, wearing an expression of indifference. She had heard this story many times.

Gogo continued: “The young women were raped in front of us. Some were bayonetted. I have not stopped seeing those visions. They called it Gukurahundi.”

After a while, her granddaughter interrupted. “Doctor, can you stop these thoughts and constant repetitions about these events? Why has Gogo not moved on?” she asked, finally breaking into tears. “This has affected all of us.”

Gogo looked into the eyes of her granddaughter. “How can I move on when I have the ghosts of my entire village crying out for justice?”