The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
Floyd Nkomo
17 May 2008
WEAPONS destined for Zimbabwe have arrived in Harare, according to a report in South Africa's The Weekender newspaper today.
The report said the Zimbabwean government confirmed that 3-million rounds of assault rifle ammunition, 3 000 mortar rounds and 1 500 rocket-propelled grenades--ordered from the Chinese government--had arrived in Harare.
According to the report South Africa refuelled the Chinese vessel, An Yue Jiang, which was transporting the arsenal.
The South African government denied media reports that it assisted in the delivery of the arms.
The Weekender quoted a Mozambican online newspaper, Canal de Moçambique, which reported that the ship had been refuelled by the SAS Drakensberg off the coast of South Africa before sailing north to offload its cargo.
It reported that the ship was offloaded at Ponta Negra in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, Zimbabwean government officials said it was offloaded in Angola, according to the report.
Canal de Moçambique reported that President Thabo Mbeki gave "a direct instruction" to Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George to send the SAS Drakensberg to refuel the An Yue Jiang.
Presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga dismissed the reports, saying "it seems that the season of propaganda is upon us".
George said he had no instruction from Mbeki to dispatch the SAS Drakensberg and that the allegations had no substance.
However, the Canal de Moçambique article also said the arms were flown to Harare in an Ilyushin Il-76 belonging to Avient Aviation, a freight charter airline based in Zimbabwe but registered in the UK.
This was confirmed by government officials in Harare, The Weekender said.
Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga confirmed the weapons have been delivered.
The Angolan government's assistance came after an appeal by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairman, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, to member states to bar the delivery of the ammunition to Zimbabwe, saying the arms could deepen the country's election crisis.
The US and British governments had also exerted concerted pressure on the SADC and China to stop the ship from docking in the region.
The ship has been spotted off the coast of Port Elizabeth, The Weekender said.
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I'm not a bit surprised that Angola, a very good friend of Zimbabwe would give in to NGO about it's own soverignet. Of cause Zimbabwe paid for the arms and should have them. Get over it!!!!
Zimbabwe did pay for the arms US$1.2million. However the transport costs of attempting to get them into Zimbabwe by hook or by crook have far outstripped what the consignment cost in the first place.
China's foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Thursday(22nd May) rejected African media reports that over the weekend said the weapons had finally reached Zimbabwe.
And yet Zimbabwe cant feed it's population without food aid. It has recently put ZWD$150 trillion into peoples shops to help people to be able to afford cooking oil, maize and sugar. ZWD$150 trillion equates to USD$283,373 and 50 cents! This breaks… [Read Full Text]
Africa35,dont you think a good idea would be for the west to boycot the Olympic games in China? They will NEVER do that because of their double standards. Africa needs to wake up to the west's use of double standards when it suits themselves.
Kubatana,what you said about the West's double standards with China is so right.It is a pity that you can recognize the human rights violations in China and yet you cannot see them in your own country.Double standard for you too.
Didn't you see all the protests when the Olympic torch went through London? And the same in France and the US. Your anti-west glasses are giving you very narrow vision Kuba.
Phiri: Of cause Zimbabwe paid for the arms and should have them. Get over it!!!!
What a stupid, irresponsible and retarded statement. The issue is not about zim paying for the weapons. It is a matter of principle and doing what is right for it's people. Zimbabweans need food and medicine- what good are those weapons gonna do for the man thats dying on the street. It is ignorant fools like you that are being sent by Mugabe to kill our families and friends for zanu pfutseki's benefit.
Give me a break fool!!!!
Couldn't agree more.
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Oh wow now they have these weapons look out and reardless of how it got there it is there. I think there should be large sanctions against Zimbabwe as well as China should be confronted with this but well I am sure petty little words is all we will ever here while countless lives are lost!