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E-mailI see that Mugabe is attending a summit all about food in Rome. I have seen reports on the BBC News channel that it is believed that Mugabe is ‘defying’ EU sanctions to attend, but that the nature and authority of the summit allows him to be there. The summit is hosted by the United Nations Food & Agricultural Organisation. I question whether Mugabe is still the legal President of Zimbabwe. The matter is in the grey area between elections. Y’see, Mugabe lost the first round of the election to opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe’s party also lost the parliamentary majority in the March 29 poll. Not by much - but by enough that ZANU PF have had to rethink their strategy. And their first reaction is to lay into their own people (Zimbabweans) and then blame the violence on the MDC. We have the former Minister of Justice, Patrick Chinamasa, making repeated statements to the effect that the MDC are responsible for the 50+ deaths - alleging that the violence is sponsored and orchestrated by the MDC’s ‘handlers’ (ZANU PF-speak for the US and the UK). Strangely, the only ZANU PF fatality was caused by Mugabe’s secret police, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). It must be said that apart from that one death, the 50+ deaths are all MDC supporters and activists. And there are a number of people that have been ‘disappeared’ - abducted by person or persons unknown and not seen since - so I would expect that number to rise. Meanwhile, the self-appointed ‘chosen one’ has jetted off to Rome to make representation of Zimbabwe for food.
The image that accompanies this submission is a food bill from the Victoria Falls Hotel - note that it is just for 2 beers, 1 mineral water and 1 dinner... One billion, two hundred and forty three million, two hundred and fifty five thousand... (hat tip to MDT)
Quite simply, Zimbabweans at home are all in need to food (and peace, naturally…). Very few people in Zimbabwe eat more than one meal a day. Not out of choice, mind you.
They either cannot afford it, or the food itself is not available.
Years ago we used to hear jokes about the thinness of Ethiopians - today that blight has visited Zimbabwe.
And whatever food Mugabe can bully out of the well-meant summit will go to Zimbabwe - but will be governed by Mugabe’s ZANU PF and only given to supporters of his party. And this will happen no matter who gives/donates the food. This is how Mugabe works. This is what he does best.
And, no doubt, whilst he is in Rome, his wife will shop until she drops. Before today, she has filled a Air Zimbabwe jetliner with all manner of purchases - and because she is the ‘President’s’ wife, any duty on the purchases is overlooked…
I, personally, couldn’t give a continental about Mugabe’s wellbeing, but I can assure you that he will eat his fill whilst in Rome - and the bill will be picked up elsewhere.
He will consume the best of everything.
Being such a staunch African, he should reject the steak, the fish, the wine, the cheese, and the UN should feed him a plate of sadza ne nyama – just so he remembers who he is and just what he is responsible for.
But the worst that has happened to Mugabe in the Zimbabwean crisis? He had to go without a hot bath once!
Eat! Drink! Be merry!
I am sure that he will not enjoy the menu at Chikurubi…
Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man
RSS 
Mugabe is not the peoples’ representative - so why should he be at the UN summit?
And why they insist on giving him the floor, I am unable to explain.
His speech was nothing new - just accusations of the West conniving against him... if the accusations are to be believed, then Mugabe has never put one foot wrong...
Believe that if you will.
Take care.
’debvhu
I am still recoiling from the fact that the UN gave him the floor.
Obviously it would be very easy to disprove many of Mugabe’s statements, but the cut and thrust of it is way beyond that.
Being in Rome is a huge ’victory’ for Mugabe - and as usual he used it to his best political advantage.
I shake my head in disappointment.
Take care.
Robb
’debvhu
