Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga on Sunday claimed that the controversial shipment of arms from China, initially blocked by South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, was now in Zimbabwe.
Responding to criticism of the shipment during a panel discussion on Iranian sponsored 'Press TV' Matonga is said to have derisively retorted, 'in any case that shipment is already in Zimbabwe.'
Press TV's 'Four Corners' programme hosted a debate between Matonga, Briggs Bomba from Africa Action, Zanu PF apologist George Shire and an unnamed journalist. Bomba spoke to Newsreel Tuesday and expressed his disappointment at how Angola, contrary to its official position, might have helped Mugabe's regime get their hands on the deadly cargo.
The Chinese ship 'An Yue Jiang' was carrying 3 million rounds of ammunition for AK-47's, 1500 rocket propelled grenades and 3000 mortar rounds and tubes. Pressure from trade unions and civil society groups in the SADC region ensured the ship spent weeks failing to get permission to offload. Emerson Mnangagwa, the man in charge of Zimbabwe's terror campaign through the Joint Operations Command, is said to have travelled to Angola and met President Eduardo dos Santos last week, in an effort to have the shipment allowed through.
Angola officially declined to authorise the offloading of the Zimbabwean arms shipment, but no one knows if they kept their word. The picture continues to get to murkier with other reports suggesting the Angolan President's jet, a Falcon 900, was sighted in Zimbabwe Tuesday evening. No further details were available. Malawi's Nyasa Times newspaper added to the speculation by claiming intelligence agents from Malawi had travelled to Angola to help clear the shipment on behalf of the Zimbabwean regime.
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With all due respect, I ask the Angolan people what we have done wrong to them. Why have you allowed innocent Zimbabwean blood on your hands and conscience. Remember that what goes around comes around. You will need our help one day soon and you will not have anyone to turn to from Zimbabwe becaus of the agrevious act of allowing weapons of destruction to be supplied to a defeated regime... that makes you accomplices of terroristic activities since Mugabe and his cronies are no longer in power.
Mugabe might kill thousands more this time around, maybe more than the last genocide he committed in the 80's, but our blood will not be spilled for nothing. If anyone knows the sacredness of African blood, they will know that it will cry from the depths of the graves and pits where innocent Zimbabweans might be hidden and burried. Those voices will soon drown the deaf ears of the world and soon they will be heard. Mugabe, whatever you are trying to do, will not prosper. This is a year of new beginings. Your new begining you will find yourself sharing a table with Hitler and Musolini in the fires of eternal damnity.
Thank goodness! It appears common sense has prevailed.
Im saddened to hear people applaud when weapons that can be used against people that stand up against their government in an election are allowed in. Zimbabwe has no enemies in the region so why the weapons. The only reason for the weapons is to suppress the popular people support. Iran & China dont have democracy they have a sham. Look what China is doing in Tibet They use force to stay in power. People are starving, but billions are spent on weapons. Zimbabwe used to be a great country. The people still are, but the government and the cronies arent. The people of Zimbabwe have spoken WE want change, as the current government is killing the country. Im embarrassed to be African, (Okay White African, but still African). Mugabe used to be a hero and thus a lot of regional governments wont condemn him as he supported them during their struggles. They need to look past that and to what Mugabe is doing to the region. He is destroying it and weapons arent going to keep him in power forever. Eventually people power will win, but how much blood will Mugabe be willing to spill. Looking at Mugabes past one heck of a lot. The regional powers, especially South Africa, must stand against tyranny and not allow the people suppressor to take all. Mugabe has had his time and its time to move on.
According to ISANA and ITUF the ship did dock and off loaded some construction equipment and was not allowed to off load it's weapons......This new article reminds so of the demise of Sadam when his Minister Ali I think he was the one on trial now kept going on the TV to say Sadam was alive etc etc Bright Matonga could tell the truth if he tried......My only concerns are when Mugabe and his men are gone will the Western World give them safe haven because I would not like to unleash them into any society.....
Do not be fooled, I have good reason to believe the Zimbabwean economy was sabotaged effectively to discredit and destroy Mugabe's regime by people who lost out when Zimbabwe won and people who stand to gain if Mugabe loses (their capitalist allies) and this is the case because Mugabe turned complacent thus his failure. There is a cold war and its not between Mugabe and the puppet. I mourn the people that will die for they will not be enemies of Zimbabwe. Thanks to Dos's loyalty to 1 man a genocide locks.
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