The late army commander General Solomon Mujuru allegedly sent an emissary to the MDC without President Robert Mugabe’s knowledge in 2000 to warn the party about a planned violent crackdown.
Goodson Nguni, a well known Zanu (PF) activist, was named as the emissary. It is alleged that he negotiated a pact with the MDC whereby they agreed to an amnesty for current and past government officials, in return for an open dialogue about the possibility of forming a coalition government.
It has also been revealed that African diplomats have called for President Robert Mugabe’s ‘graceful’ exit from power. Leaders who, in the past, have stood by the octogenarian leader, have, according to Wikileaks, grown impatient with the Zimbabwean situation.
Graceful exit
Algerian ambassador to Zimbabwe Lazahar Soualem was named in the cable. He allegedly met with the US ambassador Charles Ray in February last year and told him there was need for a graceful exit for the 87-year-old leader because the problems in Zimbabwe could affect the entire continent.
Soualem when on to say that SADC and the African Union needed to intervene as Mugabe’s exit might prove difficult.
“Robert Mugabe has developed a cult of personality and neglected institution building, leading to Zanu (PF) being the only independence movement to lose a post-independence election,” Soualem is quoted as saying.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ambassador Mawapanga Mwana Nanga, who has publicly defended Zanu (PF), also criticised Mugabe saying he had handled the land reform poorly.
Mwana Nanga, whom Ray said was candid and blunt in his criticism of Mugabe, said the 87-year-old leader was only using sanctions as an excuse not to develop the country.
Kunle Adeyanju, Nigera ambassador to Zimbabwe agreed with Algerian and DRC envoys saying Mugabe had badly managed the country. He was quoted as saying, “Mugabe must go”.
South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Mlungisi Makalima said Zanu (PF) lacked vision and direction, while former Mozambican president, Joaquim Chissano, likened the frail 87-year-old Mugabe to a “mad dog”.
Leadership crisis
It is not just leaders outside Zimbabwe whose criticism of Mugabe has been exposed by Wikileaks. The Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere appeared to question the suitability of Mugabe during separate meetings with senior US government officials.
Kasukuwere allegedly met former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Tom McDonald, in November 2000 and called for leadership renewal in Zanu (PF).
He said the leadership change was supposed to start with the then vice-presidents, the late Simon Muzenda and the late Joseph Msika, to pave way for younger replacements, the cable reads.
Kasukuwere denied making the statements, claiming that they were “utter rubbish”. rebutted the WikiLeaks records, saying he never made such statements.
Rautenbach’s links
The notorious business tycoon, Billy Rautenbach, did not escape controversy in the leaked cables. He allegedly told US Ambassador Charles Ray that he hates January, when school fees are due, because of all the government officials who approach him with their begging bowls for ‘donations’.
The meeting allegedly took place on December 29, 2009 and its purpose was to get Rautenbach and his aide, Robson "Taffy" Matonhodze’s opinion on attitudes within the Zanu (PF) military.
According to the Wikileaks cable, Rautenbach said that being a Zanu (PF) supporter did not guarantee his safety. He told Ray that his brother’s farm was taken, despite his close links with Zanu.
Rautenbach has consistently denied any links to Zanu (PF) and allegedly warned Western countries against bribing military and police chiefs with one-off payments.
“When they get large amounts of money, it is almost immediately spent, on houses, cars, or girlfriends,” Rautenbach is quoted as telling the US envoy.
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