Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10HARARE35
2010-01-21 10:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Harare
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 HARARE 000035
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR BRIAN WALCH
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: INSIDER'S VIEW OF MDC-T
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
HARARE 00000035 002 OF 002
Zimbabwe Independent that reported MDC-T had launched a
corruption investigation focused on MDC ministers Giles
Mutsekwa (co-Minister of Home Affairs),Elias Mudzuri
(Minister of Energy) and Murisi Zwizwai (Deputy Minister of
Mines). Chamisa replied that an investigation of MDC-T
ministers would play into ZANU-PF's hands. The only
investigation that was taking place was of selected local
overnment councils controlled by MDC-T, Chitungwiza (a large
Harare suburb) in particular. But MDC-T was concerned about
the named ministers. Zwizwai was suspected of collaborating
too closely with ZANU-PF elements in the exploitation of the
Chiadzwa diamond fields. There were reports that Mudzuri was
enriching himself through the import of fuel. And Mutsekwa
appeared to be working too closely with his ZANU-PF
co-Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi. MDC-T would
investigate, according to Chamisa, but informally. He said
this would be somewhat difficult since Tsvangirai was
personally close to the ministers and was reluctant to take
action.
6. (C) We also asked Chamisa about a common perception that
the Office of the Prime Minister was weak and had failed to
play a coordinating role for government ministries. Chamisa
agreed. Ian Makone, Tsvangirai's chief of staff, was
ineffective. But Makone was a good friend of Tsvangirai and
it was unlikely that Tsvangirai would make a change.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
7. (C) Biti initially opposed MDC-T's entry into government
and there have been rumors ever since of deep-seated
divisions within the party. Chamisa's take on the issue
supports what we have heard from others. There are
differences within MDC-T, particularly on tactics, but MDC-T
is basically unified and focused on an electoral strategy.
8. (C) Chamisa and many of his MDC-T allies do not see
fundamental change without elections, and therefore would
like to have elections in 2011. But ZANU-PF is unlikely to
support this. It needs to resolve its succession issue and
attempt to rebuild. And many MDC parliamentarians are afraid
of losing their seats. The constitutional process will
determine the timing of elections, but at this point in time,
2011 appears unlikely.
RAY
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR BRIAN WALCH
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: INSIDER'S VIEW OF MDC-T
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
HARARE 00000035 002 OF 002
Zimbabwe Independent that reported MDC-T had launched a
corruption investigation focused on MDC ministers Giles
Mutsekwa (co-Minister of Home Affairs),Elias Mudzuri
(Minister of Energy) and Murisi Zwizwai (Deputy Minister of
Mines). Chamisa replied that an investigation of MDC-T
ministers would play into ZANU-PF's hands. The only
investigation that was taking place was of selected local
overnment councils controlled by MDC-T, Chitungwiza (a large
Harare suburb) in particular. But MDC-T was concerned about
the named ministers. Zwizwai was suspected of collaborating
too closely with ZANU-PF elements in the exploitation of the
Chiadzwa diamond fields. There were reports that Mudzuri was
enriching himself through the import of fuel. And Mutsekwa
appeared to be working too closely with his ZANU-PF
co-Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi. MDC-T would
investigate, according to Chamisa, but informally. He said
this would be somewhat difficult since Tsvangirai was
personally close to the ministers and was reluctant to take
action.
6. (C) We also asked Chamisa about a common perception that
the Office of the Prime Minister was weak and had failed to
play a coordinating role for government ministries. Chamisa
agreed. Ian Makone, Tsvangirai's chief of staff, was
ineffective. But Makone was a good friend of Tsvangirai and
it was unlikely that Tsvangirai would make a change.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
7. (C) Biti initially opposed MDC-T's entry into government
and there have been rumors ever since of deep-seated
divisions within the party. Chamisa's take on the issue
supports what we have heard from others. There are
differences within MDC-T, particularly on tactics, but MDC-T
is basically unified and focused on an electoral strategy.
8. (C) Chamisa and many of his MDC-T allies do not see
fundamental change without elections, and therefore would
like to have elections in 2011. But ZANU-PF is unlikely to
support this. It needs to resolve its succession issue and
attempt to rebuild. And many MDC parliamentarians are afraid
of losing their seats. The constitutional process will
determine the timing of elections, but at this point in time,
2011 appears unlikely.
RAY