Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07HARARE883 | 2007-10-01 10:08:00 | SECRET | Embassy Harare |
VZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSB #0883/01 2741008 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 011008Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1944 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0998 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0599 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC |
S E C R E T HARARE 000883 |
1. (C) This cable provides a comprehensive listing of all the material post has developed on our sanctions targets, including the updating of material in reftel. Efforts to obtain biographical information on the below-listed individuals have included: --Consular Section reviewed visa files at Post; --DATT reviewed all DAO files at Post; --Regional Affairs reviewed files and consulted contacts; --P/E and PAS conducted Internet searches; --P/E reviewed Bio files at Post; P/E conducted Intellipedia bio searches; --PAS reviewed Zimbabwean newspaper archives; --P/E discussed relationship information with FSNs; --P/E contacted University of Zimbabwe law and political science professors; --P/E contacted the head of the Zimbabwe private school association; --CDA and P/E Contacted the Embassy of the United Kingdom (UK) in Zimbabwe; --P/E Contacted the Embassy of Australia in Zimbabwe; --RSO searched files, consulted FSNs with police contacts, and considered usefulness of requesting official cooperation; --P/E contacted the Commercial Farmers Union for information and to determine whether Offer Letters contained relevant information; --The Country Team considered requesting information formally from the GOZ as would be done during an RSO or Consular investigation. 2. (C) Of the above sources, the UK Embassy has the greatest potential for biographical information because of the large number of Zimbabweans living in the UK, the large number of Zimbabweans attending school there, and frequent travel of Zimbabweans to the UK. The UK Embassy initially told us it could furnish information subject to our guarantee that the source would not be revealed as a diplomatic mission. The UK Embassy subsequently informed us, however, that it had been told by the UK Foreign Office that British law prohibited disclosure of the requested information, even if the source would be protected. The UK Embassy was sympathetic to our request and has suggested our embassy in London pursue it with the FCO. 3. (C) We requested SDI information from the Australian Embassy in Harare. The Australian ambassador told us he would recommend to his ministry release of information in its possession subject to approval by Canberra. As of September 28, the Australian Embassy had not received approval. We will follow up next week. 4. (C) Except for those targets who have applied for visas, the only way (other than the Internet where we have found little information) to obtain birth data is through the central government registrar's office. The Consular Section and RSO have routinely requested records from this office, for example when seeking information on nominees for the International Visitor Program or when doing background checks on prospective employees. We have always had to provide a detailed justification for the request; we would be unable to provide such justification in requesting information on SDIs. Moreover, given the prominence of the persons in question, it would be impossible for Post to fabricate a justification without raising suspicion and ending cooperation. 5. (C) We have attempted to obtain relationship information from FSNs. If the FSNs do not have the information themselves, they have attempted to obtain it from others. Unfortunately, the names are so prominent that our FSN's interlocutors--even if sympathetic--recognized the reason for the inquiry and felt it too risky to comply. 6. (C) Post found no reference to family members in newspaper articles. Births are never announced for cultural reasons; articles about high-ranking officials almost never make reference to family members. 7. (C) When obtained, we have indicated family relationships, birthdates and sources of information. For several children, we have indicated U.S. universities attended in the U.S. in the event the Department wishes to seek school or drivers license records. 8. (S/NF) Targeted individuals Bonyongwe, Happyton Mabhuya, CIO director DOB: November 6, 1960 Internet (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Chigwedere, Lillian: Spouse of Aeneas Chigwedere Confimation of family relationship: DOB: Chihuri, Isobel Halima: Spouse of Augustine Chihuri Confirmation of family relationship: (from Embassy Vvsa files) DOB: April 14, 1974 (from Embassy visa files) Chihuri, Joni: Daughter of Augustine Chihuri Confirmation of family relationship: (from Embassy visa files) DOB: April 6, 1978 (from Embassy Visa files) Chihuri, Ocious Pelonsic: Daughter of Augustine Chihuri Confirmation of family relationship: Internet (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: December 14, 1983 (U.S. university records) (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Chihuri, Ruawage: Son of Augustine Chihuri Confirmation of family relationship: Australian Ambassador DOB: Chinamasa, Chengatai: Son of Patrick Chinamasa Confirmation of family relationship: FSN (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: October 25, 1984 (U.S. university records) (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Chinamasa, Kangai: Daughter of Patrick Chinamasa Confirmation of family relationship: FSN (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: June 30, 1980 (from U.S. university records) (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Chinamasa, Tinotenda: Son of Patrick Chinamasa Confirmation of family relationship: FSN (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: August 29, 1982 (from U.S. University records) (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Chombo, Rudo: Confirmation of family relationship: Internet DOB: Chombo, Thelma: Confirmation of family relationship: Internet (Note: Ignatius Chombo denied to The Standard newspaper that Thelma Chombo is his daughter) DOB: Dabengwa, Zodwa: Spouse of Dumiso Dabengwa Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Jangara, Thomsen Toddie: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Harare South Justification: He was responsible for a ban on protests issued in February that prevented the MDC and civil society from organizing. This decree was part of a concerted GOZ effort to suppress political activity directed against the government. The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to eliminate its opposition. While the GOZ claimed that the opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the government and were proven to be completely false when the court later dismissed the cases brought against the opposition activists who had been accused of committing the alleged acts of violence. The government has frequently fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the opposition, and publicized these allegations in government-controlled media. DOB: Karimanzira, Rungano Priscilla: Spouse of David Karimanzira Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Kaskuwere, Barbara: Wife of Saviour Kaskuwere Confirmation of family relationship: FSN DOB: Kechik, Dr. Mahmood Awang DOB: Peter Lesabe: Spouse of Thenjiwe Lesabe Deceased: FSN Mabunda, Musavengana: Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Assistant Commissioner Justification: The Law and Order Unit of the ZRP is infamous for targeting the opposition and organizing arrests, abductions, torture, and other mistreatment of MDC and civil society members. As the Assistant Commissioner of the Law and Order Unit, Mabunda has had primary responsibility for the work of the Unit. On March 11 a number of MDC leaders were arrested and severely beaten in police custody. The released prisoners were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries they sustained at the hands of the police. The international media photographically recorded the extent of these injuries. These leaders were released several days later and no cases have been prosecuted against them. Given his position, Mabunda was certainly aware of post-March 11 beatings and very likely directed them. In April, May, and June, over 30 opposition activists were arrested, detained, and mistreated. The Law and Order Unit is believed to have been involved in the targeting of these individuals. All were eventually released, some having spent several months in custody. Another incident of brutality occured on July 25, when police beat hundreds of democratic activists peacefully demonstrating in favor of a new constitution. Many civil society leaders were severely beaten, suffering broken bones and other injuries. Again, the Law and Order Unit is believed to have been involved. DOB: Mada, Ishmael: Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), internal branch Justification: Mada heads a CIO internal branch team charged with targeting the MDC for arrest, abduction, and torture. On March 11 a number of MDC leaders were arrested and severely beaten in police custody. The CIO worked with the Law and Order Unit of the ZRP in targeting the democratic opposition for arrest and are believed to have participated in the beatings. The released prisoners went immediately to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries they sustained at the hands of the police. These leaders were released several days later and no cases have been prosecuted against them. The international media photographically recorded the extent of these injuries. Given his position, Mada was certainly aware of the post-March 11 beatings and very likely directed them. Another similar incident of brutality occured on July 25, when police beat hundreds of democratic activists peacefully demonstrating in favor of a new constitution. Many civil society leaders were severely beaten, suffering broken bones and other injuries. The CIO is believed to have been involved in this incident as well. DOB: September 23, 1958 (from GRPO files) Malinga, Ronia: Spouse of Joshua Malinga Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Manyika, Allan Munyaradzi: son of Elliot Manyika DOB: June 23, 1986 (from U.S. university records (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Manyika, Belinda: daughter of Elliot Manyika DOB: March 19, 1979 (from U.S. university records) (confirmed by Embassy Visa files) Manyika, Joan: Daughter of Elliott Manyika Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Manyika, Linda: Daughter of Elliott Manyika Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Manyika, Maureen: Daughter of Elliott Manyika Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Manyika, Ronald: Son of Elliott Manyika Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Manyonda, Elizabeth: Spouse of Kenneth Manyonda Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Matshalaga, Neddy: Spouse of Obert Matshalaga Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Midzi, Hilda Alice: Spouse of Amos Midzi Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Mugabe, Leo: Son of Sabina Mugabe Confirmation of family relationship: FSN DOB: February 28, 1959 (from Embassy visa files); (Note: this DOB differs from that furnished by AF/S, derived from Internet) Mugabe, Bellarmine Chattunga: Son of Robert Mugabe Confirmation of family relationship: Embassy education contact (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: May 26, 1997 (from Embassy visa files) Mugabe, Bona Nyepudzai Ouma: Daughter of Robert Mugabe Confirmation of family relationship: Embassy education contact (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: April 16, 1989 (from Embassy visa files) Mugabe, Robert Tinotenda: Son of Robert Mugabe Confirmation of family relationship: Embassy education contact (confirmed by Embassy visa files) DOB: February 4, 1992 (from Embassy visa files) Mutasa, Gertrude: Spouse of Didymus Mutasa Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Muvuti, Samuel Tendi: Head of Grain Marketing Board Justification: As the head of the Grain Marketing Board, Muvuti has been responsible for directing the allocation of food to affect voting behavior. Much of rural Zimbabwe has suffered food shortages over the past seven years. During elections in 2002 and 2005, the GMB provided food to villages with the threat of withholding it if the village did not vote for Mugabe and other ZANU-PF candidates. Likewise, the GMB refused to send food to areas known to support the opposition. The use of food has been an effective tool of the Mugabe regime in obtaining votes illegally. DOB: July 6, 1957 Internet (confirmed by Embassy visa files) Muzariri, Livingston Menard: CIO Deputy Director Justification: As CIO Deputy Director, he has full knowledge of all CIO activities, including abductions, arrests, and torture of the opposition. The CIO is believed to be involved with, and in many cases to have directed, the ZRP in these activities. On March 11 a number of MDC leaders were arrested and severely beaten in police custody. The CIO worked with the ZRP in targeting the democratic opposition for arrest and are believed to have participated in the beatings. The released prisoners went immediately to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries they sustained at the hands of the police. These leaders were released several days later and no cases have been prosecuted against them. The international media photographically recorded the extent of these injuries. Given his position, Muzariri was certainly aware of the beatings and very likely directed them. Another similar incident of brutality occured on July 25, when police beat hundreds of democratic activists peacefully demonstrating in favor of a new constitution. Many civil society leaders were severely beaten, suffering broken bones and other injuries. The CIO is believed to have been involved in this incident as well. DOB: August 8, 1955 (from GRPO files) Sadzamari, Tsitsi: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Mbare Justification: Sadzamari is a police official identified as organizing and playing a central role in intimidation of the MDC. She was responsible for a ban on protests issued on February 23 that prevented the MDC and civil society from organizing. This decree was part of a concerted GOZ effort to suppress political activity directed against the government. The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to eliminate its opposition. While the GOZ claimed that the opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the government and were proven to be completely false when the court later dismissed the cases brought against the opposition activists who had been accused of committing the alleged acts of violence. The government has frequently fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the opposition, and publicized these allegations in government-controlled media. DOB: Shamuyarira, Dorothy Mabel: Spouse of Nathan Shamuyarira Confirmation of family relationship: DOB: Sibanda, Phillip: Commander of Zimbabwean Republic Army Justification: Sibanda as head of one of the two branches of the Zimbabwean defense forces, is a member of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) which is a policy-making body and the chief operational body in Zimbabwe. The JOC, if it was not in on the planning of the March 11 brutal repression of MDC leaders, undoubtedly was knowledgeable. Such acts of violence, harrassment, and intimidation, have undermined Zimbabwe's democratic institutions in order the maintain the authoritarian Mugabe regime's hold on power. Further, the Army is the most powerful institution in Zimbabwe. Without its support, the regime could not maintain power. DOB: December 24, 1954 (from copy of passport in DAO files) Taveesin, Nalinee: Citizen of Thailand DOB: February 12, 1960 (from U.S. Embassy Bangkok) (confirmed by DOS visa records) Tayengwa, Isaac: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Harare Central District Justification: Tayengwa is a police official identified as organizing and playing a central role in intimidation of the MDC. He was responsible for a ban on protests issued on February 23 that prevented the MDC and civil society from organizing. This decree was part of a concerted GOZ effort to suppress political activity directed against the government. The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to eliminate its opposition. While the GOZ claimed that the opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the government and were proven to be completely false when the court later dismissed the cases brought against the opposition activists who had been accused of committing the alleged acts of violence. The government has frequently fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the opposition, and publicized these allegations in government-controlled media. DOB: Zharara, Ngwerume: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Harare Suburban District Justification: He was responsible for a ban on protests issued on February 21 that prevented the MDC and civil society from organizing a political rally. This decree was part of a concerted GOZ effort to suppress political activity directed against the government. The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to eliminate its opposition. While the GOZ claimed that the opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the government and were proven to be completely false when the court later dismissed the cases brought against the opposition activists who had been accused of committing the alleged acts of violence. The government has frequently fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the opposition, and publicized these allegations in government-controlled media. DOB: 8. (S/NF) Targeted entities AuriJewel 700 Kinderkamack Rd. Orodell, New Jersey 07649 390 Fifth Avenue, Suite 804 New York, NY Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company 14 Austin Road Harare, Zimbabwe ZIDCO Holdings 88 Robert Mugabe Road Harare, Zimbabawe Grain Marketing Board Dura Building 179-187 Samora Machel Avenue 9. (C) Post suggests the Department weigh the relative merits of placememt of ZRP chief superintendents Jangara, Sadzamari, and Zhahara on the OFAC list. These individuals came to light when their names were published in the government press after they issued decrees banning demonstrations. They are mid-level officials who are not involved in policy and who carried out orders. We have no evidence they have personally ordered violent conduct on the part of the police. Our concern, as expressed by our Regional Security Officer, is that publication of the names of these individuals as SDNs will jeopardize police cooperation. We currently receive limited but useful cooperation from the ZRP in the protection of premises, investigation of crimes against Embassy officers, and release from custody of FSNs who have been arrested in police dragnets. 10. (C) Post is open to further suggestions on additional avenues of information collection of family relationships and dates of birth given the contraints noted in paragraphs 4 and 5. DHANANI |