So says the Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, Roy Bennett. And I tend to agree with him.

Mugabe’s power base is built upon greed and avarice. (I gave the definition of avarice on my main page just a day or two ago, but for clarification, I will repeat it: “avarice: Reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)”.

Mugabe’s need for control started many years ago, and as his ‘rule’ progressed he soon realised that by changing a few small things, or by ignoring other small things - like the law of the land - he was able to build up a formidable resilience to criticism and was the proud owner of a small - nay - large fortune!

I have never seen any article that has been able to quantify Mugabe’s worth financially - on any other plane he is entirely reprehensible - and I would hate to even begin to try to calculate just how much money, gems and assets he has managed to squirrel away.

In May this year, three African leaders were to be probed on the legality of their fortunes… I was a little surprised that Mugabe’s name did not appear on that listing.

“Three African leaders are to be investigated in Paris over whether they embezzled state funds to build up staggering personal fortunes in France, including luxury homes in Paris and the Riviera and fleets of sports cars.

The anti-corruption group said the assets were worth several times more than the African leaders officially earned, and the battle to open an investigation has become known in France as “the case of the ill-gotten gains”.”

Just why Mugabe was not included on this listing, I am not sure – but it is hardly surprising seeing as whenever the free world wants to launch a probe into Mugabe’s activities, he responds with a stream of vitriol laced with allegations and threats.

I cannot see Mugabe ever being able to live up to his threats or substantiate his allegations - but all of his utterances seem to shut the free world up and nothing ever happens.

Roy Bennett has hit the nail right on the head in respect of the land invasions. A vast majority of the invasions have been conducted with extreme violence and prejudice - and often times the invaders are working in the stead of a political bigwig who has no intention of working the land but wants the asset only as collateral on a loan which he has no intention of ever repaying.

And when you remember that Mugabe has sought to sell the ‘land appropriation’ exercise to the free world as the returning of the land to the ‘landless blacks’, you soon realise the vastness of the lie.

Some invaders will just ‘own’ the farm as a status symbol, whilst others will ensure that the only people that live on the seized land are those that are loyal to ZANU PF - but will be made to pay a rental for their presence.

Indeed, in the eyes of ZANU PF, “There is no such thing as enough.”

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man