Lies and spies

Dear Family and Friends,

We are neck deep in Wikileaks cables and the high tide is still flooding in. Every day the leaked diplomatic cables are providing evidence that nothing is as it seems in Zimbabwe. The cables have exposed lies and spies, hypocrisy and duplicity, and double standards of monumental proportions.

The nation is holding its breath as we wait to find out the fate of the most senior figures in the country who have betrayed their leaders. The secret whisperings made to American diplomats in Harare have left few big names unscathed.

Predictably, the state controlled ZBC TV is largely ignoring the leaked cables that expose any criticism of Zanu (PF)’s leadership, but the independent press are overflowing with the stories and newspapers are flying off the streets. In the past week the headlines have told the story in all its gory, backstabbing and treachery.

“D Day for Zanu (PF) spies,” said NewsDay on Monday, describing officials who support President Mugabe during the day and decampaign him at night. Beneath the headline were the photographs of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, the two vice Presidents and Jonathan Moyo.

“Dead Men Walking” was the classic headline of the Daily News mid-week, with pictures covering their front page of all the ‘sellouts” who wanted President Mugabe out of power. Pictures were of senior figures within Zanu (PF) including Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo.

Politburo member Jonathan Moyo was there too, described as the ‘serial flip flopper’ due to his continual mind changing about which political party he supports. Moyo then went on to launch a $100,000 lawsuit against the Daily News for their reporting of the Wikileaks cables which exposed his indiscretions.

“Zim politics enters injury time,” was the headline of NewsDay’s mid week editorial, with the subtitle: “with friends like these who needs enemies.” The Editor spoke of betrayal and treachery within Zanu (PF) which had made friends more dangerous than enemies.

Editor Brian Mangwende ended his piece with an old Arabic saying:

“Better a thousand enemies outside the house, than one inside”

“Army Commanders Face Court Martial.” was the top story in The Independent this week. You could almost hear the national intake of break with the release of the Wikileaks cable concerning the two senior army officials who had criticized their boss, General Constantine Chiwenga.

The two, a Major General and a Brigadier General had described Chiwenga as a “political general” with “little practical military experience or expertise”. The whispers started coming in fast and furious, they speak of traitors, investigations and even court martial.

“Forked Tongues,” was the headline of the editorial comment in The Zimbabwean, the article ending with the words: “Only one thing is certain – what has been whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops.”

It remains to be seen what action will be taken against the top Zanu (PF) leaders who have betrayed their supreme leader. But one thing that has become dramatically clear is the coming of age of Zimbabwe’s independent press. They have done us proud in what is a notoriously oppressive and dangerous profession in the country.

Until next time, thanks for reading, Ndini shamwari yenyu.