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| Africa: Southern |
| "In Zimbabwe, Did Bob, A Stately Pleasure Dome Decree" |
| 2003-08-28 |
| Robert Mugabe is building a lavish $A9 million palace on the outskirts of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Furnishings and security for the President’s new residence are expected to send the cost to $15 million at a time when nearly half of Zimbabwe’s population is dependent on international food aid. Contractors are working feverishly on the fittings, while two lakes built on the southern boundary have begun to fill. That would be for the crocodiles Bob feeds his opponents to. The residence offers more than a hectare of accommodation, including two-storey reception rooms, an office suite, and up to 25 bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms and spas. The Chinese-style roof is clad with midnight blue glazed tiles from Shanghai. The ceilings were decorated by Arab craftsmen. Sounds like he borrowed the plans from Saddam. It is three times the size of the President’s official residence, State House, and his adjacent offices. Mr Mugabe has built smaller mansions in Harare and Zvimba, his birthplace, as well a Chivu, the birthplace of his wife, Grace. Got to keep up appearances, Bob’s a important guy. Construction of a helicopter pad and extensive communications lines at the new site casts doubt on Mr Mugabe’s intention to retire, suggesting that he intends to continue running the country from his new home. The chopper pad is just in case he has to make a run for it. "The whole point of this mansion is that Mugabe is unlikely to step down from power," said John Makumbe, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. "This is not a sign that Mugabe is preparing to go. It is a sign that Mugabe expects to carry on with business as usual and to live like a monarch while the rest of the country is mired in poverty." Well, you didn’t really believe he was going to quit, did you? Mr Makumbe, also a member of the anti-corruption group Transparency International, asked where Mr Mugabe got the funds to build the colossal structure. Last year, when the United States and the European Union slapped sanctions on Mr Mugabe and more than 70 of his political cohorts, Washington also froze their assets. Mr Mugabe challenged investigators to find any personal stash abroad. "They will find nothing," he said. Keeps it under his mattress. However, his new house is a striking sign that he has spent massively more than he has earned. Kadaffi most likely holds the second mortage. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 I'm sure Zim's neighbors are getting tired of the steady stream of refugees entering their countries, looking for anything alive to eat. Perhaps they should convince the SA Air Force to hit a set of coordinates with several tons of HE, once we're sure Bob's moved in. I'd bet my next paycheck that the coordinates are easily accessible, if anybody asked nicely. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-8-28 3:08:39 PM |
| #1 where is the Charles Taylor/Guest House Wing? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-8-28 10:38:45 AM |