I wouldn’t normally write three of these things in three consecutive days - unless events in Zimbabwe warranted it.

And this afternoon I happened upon an article which shouted at me, “Let people know!”

It was a report on the fact that Gideon Gono’s Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had stolen money from the account of Hivo’s - a Dutch development organisation.

According to the article, Gono pointed out that, “The unorthodox measures helped keep the country afloat.”

Really?

At least we now know why the IMF and the World Bank have been reluctant to release any money to Mugabe’s administration - mainly because it has a habit of disappearing and all manner of excuses are given to justify the disappearance.

The report goes on to say that some of the money has been replaced - but not all of it.

Now - theft is theft, no matter who from and for whatever reason. And no matter what the value of the stolen property.

No reason can justify the removal of the money from this account without the account holder’s permission.

But just who has committed this theft?

In a word - Mugabe. Compounded by Gono. That does not, however lessen his guilt. Mugabe’s policies have made extraordinary and unorthodox measures necessary for the country to remain viable. (Personally I no longer believe that it is viable, but that is a moot point…)

Whoever instigated the order to execute the theft is primarily responsible, and each person down the line to the actual computer operator that extracted the finance is guilty of an offence - although less of the blame has to be put on the more junior ranks. Gono would have reacted to a mutiny against his orders with the immediate sacking of the individual concerned - and possible incarceration.

Sometimes the floor worker has to do the dirty work just to keep their own heads above water.

Gono attempts to excuse the theft by saying the country’s plight necessitated the use of the money. Theft is theft. Plain and simple. And for this reason, Gono and his primary task master are guilty of a crime.

The money was never theirs’ to use - and there was no permissions to use the money.

The money was lodged with the bank on promise that the bank would protect that deposit - which they have failed to do. Gono should pay, not only with his job, but he should be prosecuted for this and so many more similar crimes where foreign currency has been ‘liberated’ by the bank for their own use.

And I am sure that the numbers, money wise, would be mind-boggling, whilst the numbers, crime wise, would make our heads spin.

Gono has been driven to distraction in his daily need to please and pacify his principal, Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

In any other country in the world, the law would not wait - and these two perpetrators would find themselves staring out at the world from a barred window…

But, because it is Mugabe and everyone seems to be afraid to anger him - in case he takes them to task in one of his numerous rambling speeches - so they allow the matter go unpunished and excuse his behaviour for yet another day.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man