Chinese bankroll campaign

A highly placed army intelligence source revealed that Zanu (PF) had enlisted the help of security personnel to work on a plan to raise money for the campaign. This follows insinuations by Zanu (PF) national commissar, Webster Shamu, at the Zanu (PF) manifesto launch that the party is struggling financially.

State takeovers

The first phase of the plan involves profiling top executives from targeted blue chip firms, particularly those enjoying western investment. According to the source, both Zanu (PF) and the military claim they have intelligence suggesting that executives in the companies intend to sabotage the economy, in the event that President Mugabe and Zanu (PF) win the July 31 general elections.

Following a Zanu (PF) victory, these companies would allegedly be taken over by the state. Mutare Board and Paper Mills are reportedly on the list for seizure but no comment could be obtained from them.

The second part of the plan involves members of the security forces holding meetings with community members in resource rich areas such as the Marange diamond fields. Security sector personnel will lecture locals on how the Zanu (PF) indigenisation policy will benefit them if they vote for Mugabe and Zanu (PF).

Army presence

The army increased its presence in Chirasika, Mafararikwa, Zengeni Villages and parts of Odzi in the diamond mining area after the March referendum, with numbers escalating in the wake of the recent mobile voter registration.

The army has been accused of providing Zanu (PF) with logistical and strategic support for many years, with some of its top leaders openly declaring support for Zanu (PF).

The Chinese reportedly fund the political projects in return for, “stakes in the companies that will be indigenised”.

Chinese companies such as Anjin Investments and Diamond Mining Cooperation are involved in diamond extraction in the Marange area.

The Zimbabwean forwarded questions to the Chinese Embassy a fortnight ago, but had received no response at the time of going to print. This is in spite of several telephone conversations with the Embassy spokesperson, Zhei Lei, who promised an “immediate” response.

Chinese-funded regalia

Contravention of the Political Parties (Finance) Act provision is punishable with a fine equal to the value of the donation and forfeiture of the donation to the state (Political Parties (Finance) Act 2001, 6 (3)).

Highly placed Zanu (PF) sources told The Zimbabwean that the Chinese recently funded the purchase of one million sets of party regalia composed of T-shirts, caps and other clothing items.

Part of the regalia was distributed to the 3,000-strong crowd that attended the Zanu (PF) election manifesto and election campaign launch at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare, last Friday.

Zanu (PF) national commissar, Webster Shamu, said the regalia was donated by President Mugabe from his own resources. However, Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, said the regalia was donated by Zanu (PF)’s friends.

“The regalia was a result of the goodwill of our friends whom we can not disclose at this moment,” said Gumbo.

A Zanu (PF) source said the party regalia was transported to Zimbabwe on a cargo carrier, believed to have come from China.

Just a beneficiary

When asked whether proceeds from diamonds were being channeled towards Zanu (PF) campaigns and the purchase of party regalia, Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu said: “I do not know anything about how resources for the Zanu (PF) campaign are mobilised. I am just a beneficiary of party regalia that was distributed last Friday”.

President Mugabe is on record accusing MDC-T of benefiting from foreign funding. The claim was discredited by Think Africa Press, which said the MDC-T was funded by ordinary party members through their membership contributions and donations.