FOLLOW-UP ON GRACE MUGABE

C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 000693 SIPDIS SIPDIS AF/S FOR S.HILL INR/I FOR RODNEY HUFF NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2012 TAGS: PINR ZI SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON GRACE MUGABE REF: SECSTATE 92101 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Glenn Warren under 1.4 (c) ¶1. (C) This message responds to INR/I questions on Grace Mugabe. ¶2. (C) Grace Mugabe is not active or well-liked within ZANU-PF circles and she has no close relationships with cabinet members. ¶3. (C) Grace's relationship with President Mugabe appears stable at this time. In the past she was rumored to have had affairs, but there are no recent rumors. Within the last year, it was rumored (unconfirmed) she had fled to East Asia and that her husband traveled there to convince her to return to Zimbabwe. She does not attend political meetings, but sometimes attends ceremonial events such as the recent opening of Parliament. The president appears to treat her correctly in public. ¶4. (C) Grace leaves the country infrequently; we are aware only of public travel with her husband, usually to Malaysia and Singapore. She is planning to travel to New York for the UNGA. Within the country, she is an active farmer and travels frequently to her farm. ¶5. (C) Grace has few friends, even within the Mugabe family. Several years ago, she was rumored to have had an affair with James Makamba, a business associate of Solomon Mujuru. Makamba was arrested and charged with corruption; upon his release he fled to the UK where he now lives. Grace is reportedly close to Makamba's wife, Irene, who lives in Harare. ¶6. (C) Grace's primary personal interest appears to be shopping; she reportedly spends large amounts of forex on her infrequent trips to Asia. In Zimbabwe, she makes contributions to women's cooperatives. ¶7. (C) We are unaware of relationships with other first ladies. ¶8. (C) We believe Grace has little or no political influence over her husband. She is concerned about her children and would seek to influence the president to act in ways that would benefit or protect them. DHANANI